Palm Beach County, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected list
- Appendix 7, Specimen Tree List
- Administering agency
- Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
- If tree can't be saved
- Mitigation planting under Table 14.C.7.C
- Damage penalty
- Double mitigation rate for unauthorized removal
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County prohibits removing any specimen tree listed in Appendix 7 unless it can't be relocated, and ERM requires an arborist report and mitigation planting for every tree that comes down.
Specimen Tree Removal Removal of any specimen tree (defined in Art. 1.H.2, Definitions) from non-exempt parcels identified in Appendix 7, Specimen Tree List, is prohibited, unless the following criteria are met: 1) The Applicant shall depict on the Site or Subdivision Plan any specimen tree in its original location to the greatest extent possible;
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) bars removal of any specimen tree named on the county's Appendix 7 Specimen Tree List unless the applicant first tries to keep it in its original location. If that's not possible, an ISA-certified arborist must document why the tree can't be incorporated into the site plan before ERM approves relocation; if it can't even be relocated, the owner must plant replacement native vegetation under the county's mitigation table. Dahoon Holly trees get no discount: they're replaced like-for-like regardless of size. This applies only outside the county's 39 municipalities, which set their own tree rules.
Violations & Fines
Removing a listed specimen tree without ERM approval violates ULDC Art. 14.C, Vegetation Preservation, triggering enforcement under Art. 14.C.12 and mitigation at double the normal Table 14.C.7.C replacement rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a specimen tree on my Palm Beach County property?
What's a specimen tree under Palm Beach County's code?
Does this apply in Boca Raton or West Palm Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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