If you’ve lived in Miami-Dade County since before August 1992 when Hurricane Andrew paid us a visit, you may remember the gorgeous canopy of green foliage that shaded our landscapes and lined our roads. Large Ficus and Banyan trees formed tunnels and enhanced our roads and neighborhoods. Florida pines were tall and beautiful on their own or in groups like miniature forests. Enormous trees shaded our yards and provided natural habitats supporting countless ecosystems filled with birds and animals. Andrew removed the larger portion of them in most areas and trimmed the rest like an intoxicated weekend warrior.
The most shocking instance of bare landscape after Andrew was my first trip back to Cape Florida. Having spent countless family outings grilling burgers in the shade of those tall trees made their absence feel like a part of my past was blown away with them.
Just as newly planted trees were establishing their roots systems and 
the ones that were damaged were spreading and growing taller, Katrina and Wilma came to town doing their own share of defoliation and hat racking of our trees. Our canopy has been hit hard.
County and city officials made changes designed to add trees back and protect our existing trees with rules and regulations regarding tree trimming and tree removals.
These rules may apply to trees on your private property depending on the size and tree species. You may know someone that’s been fined for excessive tree trimming or for removing a “specimen” tree.
Watch for future posts regarding city and county programs, definitions, regulations and permit requirements designed to help get our trees, canopies and the ecosystems they sustain back in place.