Volusia County protects historic live oaks and specimen trees 24+ inches DBH as heritage trees. Removal requires County Council or PLDRC approval and mitigation at 4:1 ratio. Hurricane-damaged heritage trees get expedited review.
Volusia County LDC Chapter 72, Article III Division 4 designates heritage and specimen trees including live oaks (Quercus virginiana) 24+ inches DBH, bald cypress 30+ inches, longleaf pine 20+ inches, and any tree nominated for its historical or ecological significance. The Fairchild Oak in Ormond Scenic Loop (estimated 400+ years old) is a named landmark. DeLand's historic overlay along Woodland Boulevard and around Stetson University protects numerous century live oaks. Removal requires approval from the County Council or PLDRC and is granted only for genuine safety threats or when mitigation is impossible. Construction near heritage trees requires root zone protection barriers at the critical root zone (1 ft per inch of DBH). Developers must submit tree preservation plans. Damage during construction triggers remediation and monetary penalties assessed on appraised value using the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) trunk formula. Hurricane damage (Matthew 2016, Irma 2017, Ian 2022, Nicole 2022) allowed expedited removal of fallen or split heritage trees with photographic documentation.
Unauthorized removal of heritage tree: $2,000 to $25,000 minimum; appraised replacement value for historic specimens can exceed $100,000. Construction damage: $1,000 to $10,000 per inch DBH plus 4:1 mitigation planting.
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