(A) Relocation of non-specimen trees.
(1) All relocations shall be in accordance to industry standards set by the International Society of Arboriculture, as amended. Industry standards extend to post-installation phase including but not limited to bracing, watering, and fertilization.
(2) All root and canopy pruning shall be conducted prior to the tree's relocation and transportation.
(3) During relocation and transplantation, the root ball shall be protected and kept moist at all times.
(4) Trees with a dormancy period shall be transported during the dormancy phase.
(5) No trees shall be relocated or transplanted during periods of strong, dry winds or during a water shortage as determined by the South Florida Water Management District.
(B) Relocation of specimen trees.
(1) Relocated specimen trees may require a bond issuance to insure the survival of the specimen trees designated for preservation, unless otherwise exempted in writing from the city, from the property owner.
(a) Bonding specifications.
1. The bond shall meet the approval of the City Attorney and may be in the form of a letter of credit, cash bond or other form accepted by the City Attorney. The bond must be drawn upon a bank or saving and loan institution or insurance company authorized to conduct business in the State of Florida.
2. This bond shall be in addition to any other bond that may be required by any other government agency.
3. The amount of the bond shall be determined based upon computations calculated in accordance with the most current version of the Guide for Plant Appraisals published by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.
4. Governmental entities shall be exempt from this bond requirement so long as sufficient security is provided as accepted by the City Attorney.
(b) Bond release requirements.
1. The specimen tree relocation bond will be released upon successful tree relocation as set forth in this section and written approval is obtained from the City Landscape Division.
2. Written approval by the city landscape personnel may only be obtained upon the completion of construction activities and where it is determined by the city landscape personnel that the tree is not effectively destroyed one year from the date of relocation.
3. The city may release a bond where a tree relocation permit is transferred. The release of the bond may be conditioned upon the posting of a new bond by the subsequent permittee.
(2) If within one year of relocation the tree is determined to be effectively destroyed, the bond shall be drawn upon in accordance with the value of the tree pursuant to the most recent edition to the Guide for Plant Appraisals published by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers. Such funds will be deposited into the city’s Landscape Fund and shall be used by the city to replace the effectively destroyed tree.
(Ord. 2021-02, adopted 3-17-21; sought to be reconsidered, Commission passed 4-21-2021)