Jacksonville Beach, FL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

The definition sits in § 34-300: a protected tree means any tree, except those exempted in § 34-744(b), with a DBH of six (6) inches or more. A public protected tree is the same size of tree on land owned by the city, its agencies or authorities, or on easements for their benefit, including rights-of-way, parks, public areas and easements for drainage, sewer, water and other public utilities.

Section 34-744(b)(1) names the species that are not protected: pine, except cedar trees, and palm trees, unless the palm was planted to meet a requirement of an approved landscape plan. Table 34-745.1 separately lists Southern Red Cedar and Eastern Red Cedar among native trees with high salt tolerance. Invasive species can be removed and are exempt from the site clearing and tree protection standards under (b)(2). Under (b)(3), trees in botanical gardens and in state approved or government nurseries and groves grown for sale or public purpose are exempt.

Hazard trees are the fourth exemption. Subsection (b)(4) covers a tree that poses imminent danger to public health, welfare or safety, a tree diseased or weakened by age, weather, storm, fire or act of God, and a tree likely to cause injury or damage to persons, buildings or other improvements. The Planning and Development Department can require a written certification of the need for removal from a person with the expertise before it authorizes the removal. Separately, § 34-744(c) lets the department temporarily waive the requirements during a state-statute emergency such as a hurricane or flood.

One category carries more weight than size alone. An exceptional specimen tree is one the city council determines to be of unique and intrinsic value to the general public because of its size, age, historic association or ecological value, or any tree designated a Florida State Champion by the American Forestry Association. The planning and development director keeps a record of all specimen trees and their location. Specimen status is a printed factor in permit decisions under § 34-744(d)(3)g, and specimen trees are replaced inch for inch under § 34-744(f)(1)b.

Protected trees that stay on a construction site get a temporary barrier that prevents soil disturbance a minimum of six (6) feet from the trunk at any point, under § 34-744(g)(1).