Sustainable Tree Maintenance

View the Sustainable Tree Maintenance Brochure (PDF).


Be a part of something BIGGER in Boca Raton

Use the guidelines and resources below to make sure the trees on your property are sustainable and resilient!

  • PRUNING to establish a wind-resistant landscape
  • PLANNING by selecting wind-resistant trees & palms
    • Decide what type of tree to plant – shade, ornamental or fruit  
    • Will the tree you select thrive or die in our climate? Check the USDA zone or ask an expert.
    • Select quality trees from the nursery.
    • Make sure to give roots and canopies room to expand so your tree will grow.
    • Large growing trees & palms need lots of space.
    • Trees next to curbs and driveways don’t have enough room to grow and will fall in high winds. (minimum soil space 30’ x 30’).

FPL right tree right place guidelines

Visit the City's Demonstration Sites at Spanish River Park and Countess deHoernle Park!

Thanks to a grant from the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service the City replaced 52 trees lost during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Over the next 25 years these trees will:

  • Reduce over 146,000 ibs of atmospheric CO2. (equivalent to emissions from powering 8 homes)
  • Intercept 1.3 million gallons of stormwater.
  • Provide $17,844 worth of benefits to the City.

The species planted were chosen based on their demonstrated ability to be resilient to hurricane force winds. The trees are: Gumbo Limbo, Strangler Fig, Silver Buttonwood, Green Buttonwood, Mastic, Paradisetree, Seagrape, Bald Cypress, Live Oak. 

Values provided by iTree Design and CO2 equivalency provided by the U.S. EPA Equivalencies Calculator.

Sign about trees in park