Gulfport, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited species count
- 14 listed species
- Notice to remove
- 15 days
- City removal admin fee
- $100 plus removal cost
- Replacement source
- § 22-20.16 approved list only
- Enforcing officer
- city manager or designee
Summary
Gulfport bans planting fourteen named invasive species, including Australian pine, Brazilian pepper and melaleuca, and any replacement tree required after a removal permit must come from the city's approved native or non-native species list.
No person shall plant or cause to be planted anywhere within the corporate limits of the city, any tree listed in subsection 22-20.07 (c) of this article. Whenever the city manager or their designee, determines that any one (1) of the above prohibited trees has been planted within the city, he shall cause to be served upon the owner or occupant of the real property ... a written notice requiring such owner or occupant to remove such tree or trees within fifteen (15) days after the service of such notice.
Full Breakdown
07(c), a list of fourteen species including Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, carrotwood, catclaw mimosa, Chinaberry, Chinese tallow (popcorn tree), ear tree, eucalyptus, ficus (except South American banyan), Java plum, monkeypuzzle, punk tree (melaleuca), silk oak and woman's tongue. If the city manager or a designee finds one of these species planted within city limits, the owner or occupant gets written notice requiring removal within 15 days; if the deadline passes, the city can have the tree removed and place a lien on the property for the removal cost plus a $100 administrative fee.
09, split into native shade trees such as bald cypress, live oak, gumbo limbo and southern red cedar, native understory trees such as chickasaw plum and wax myrtle, and a handful of approved non-native species such as jacaranda and golden trumpet.
Violations & Fines
Planting a prohibited species violates Section 22-20.11(a); after a 15-day written notice goes unheeded, the city may remove the tree itself and place a lien on the property for the removal cost plus a $100 administrative fee under Section 22-20.11(b). Using a replacement tree that is not on the Section 22-20.16 approved list to satisfy a removal permit's replacement obligation is enforced through Section 22-20.13, which also carries a $100 per-tree fine to the tree bank account and permit/inspection holds, plus the Section 1-6 general penalty of up to $500 or 60 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to plant a melaleuca tree in Gulfport?
What happens if I already have a prohibited tree like Brazilian pepper on my property?
Can I replant with any species I want after removing a protected tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gulfport
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Gulfport to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle protected tree species.