Sec. 656.1207. - Tree protection during development.

All protected trees, preserved understory vegetation, and trees retained for tree credit, pursuant to Section 656.1213 hereunder, shall be protected from injury during any land clearing or construction in the following manner: (a) Prior to any land clearing operations, tree limbs which interfere with construction shall be removed and temporary barriers shall be installed around all trees and other understory vegetation to remain within the limits of land clearing or construction and shall remain until the completion of the work. The temporary barrier shall be at least three feet high, shall be placed at least six feet away from the base of any tree, shall include at least 50 percent of the area under the dripline of any protected tree or trees retained for tree credit pursuant to Section 656.1213 , and the barrier shall consist of either a wood fence with two by four posts placed a maximum of eight feet apart, with a two by four minimum top rail, or a temporary wire mesh fence, or other similar barrier which will limit access to the protected area. Tree protection shall comply with the guidelines in the Tree Protection Guide for Builders and Developers by the Florida Division of Forestry and any other reasonable requirements deemed appropriate by the Chief to implement this Part. (b) No materials, trailers, equipment or chemicals shall be stored, operated dumped, buried or burned within the protected areas. No attachment, wires (other than protective guy wires), signs or permits shall be attached to a protected tree. (c) When removing branches from protected trees to clear for construction or pruning to restore the natural shape of the entire tree, the guidelines in the National Arborist Association Pruning Standards for Shade Trees and the American National Standards for Tree Care Operations (ANSI #Z133.1) shall be followed. Protected trees shall be pruned to remove dead or damaged limbs and to restore this natural shape and fertilized as necessary to compensate for any loss of roots and to stimulate root growth. Any damage to tree crowns or root systems shall be repaired immediately after damage occurs. (Ord. 91-59-148, § 1; Ord. 93-718-395, § 1)