Why You Should Hire Professional Mangrove Trimmers to Manage Your Mangroves in Pinellas County

Mangroves are one of the signature features of the great state of Florida. Home to diverse species of animals and plants, mangroves are essential to the health of the Florida ecosystem. As such, they are also protected by strict and complex regulations, so even trimming them back a little without hiring professional mangrove trimmers could easily get you in trouble.

So what do you do when they consume your boat dock or push cracks into your seawall?

Let’s look at what it takes to manage Mangrove trees legally and what trimming them entails. If you are looking for a tree service in Largo FL, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your tree care needs. 

Mangrove Trimming Services in Largo 

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow easily where salt water meets fresh water. Mangroves are tropical wetland plants that have adapted to loose wet soil, salt water, and being submerged occasionally by tides. They take root in sediment deposited by moving water rather than traditional soil, and provide a home for a diverse ecosystem of plant and animal life.

Fun Fact: There are more than 50 species in the world, but only three are native to Florida. 

As intrusive as they may be at times, their presence reduces soil erosion, and they also provide one of the best defenses Florida has against loss of life and damage to property during storms.

The Mangrove Act

There are over 500,000 acres of mangroves in the central and southern areas of Florida, about 80% of these are protected and regulated by the government and private owners whose goal is to preserve the plants and aid them to grow. Incorrect trimming can harm or even kill the mangroves. 

In 1996, the state of Florida passed legislation called the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act. The goal of this act is to preserve and facilitate the growth of mangroves throughout the state and property owners can face large fines if they are found out of compliance.  Mangroves must be trimmed and maintained by a certified arborist in compliance with this act.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Professional Mangrove Trimmers (PMT) “are individuals who have met the qualifications under the Mangrove Act (403.9329, F.S.). PMTs are required for all general permits and certain exempt activities. They are also recommended for individual permits used for trimming. Contact your district office or delegation for more information” (source).

In other words, there are very strict and detailed rules for when you can trim your own mangroves, and when you need to hire a certified arborist in Clearwater FL to do the job. In short, if your mangroves are over 10 feet tall or extend from your property to the shoreline more than 50 feet, you’ll need a professional that provides mangrove trimming services.

Letting Mangroves Go Untamed

While it makes sense that the state of Florida protects mangroves, letting them grow where and how they will can have serious implications too. Mangroves can fill an ocean view, devaluing the property, grow over a dock so thickly it can’t be used, or grow into protective sea walls, causing cracks and other damage. 

Professional Mangrove Trimmers

As certified professional mangrove trimmers in Pinellas County, our goal is to provide you with the best service possible by explaining the mangrove trimming process. Our mission is to maintain the health and vitality of the mangrove plants to support the natural environment. This will help to restore the appealing view of your property or beautiful waterfront view while always staying compliant with the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act. We’ll handle any location-based specific rules and regulations, including authorization and permits, so you don’t have to. 

If you’re looking for a professional mangrove trimming in Pinellas County, and would like to schedule a consultation, or just have questions give us a call at 727-289-1633, or send an email to info@trimworkspro.com. We’ll visit your home or business, discuss options, and take care of all the necessary paperwork and permits before we get started.

Learn More about Our other Services we offer in Largo and surrounding areas

In addition to our professional mangrove trimmers, our tree service in Pinellas county handles large and hazardous tree removals, large scale tree/palm tree trimming on golf courses, RV parks, apartment complexes, and mobile home parks, and conduct tree health evaluations. Located in Largo, we service all the Central and Southwest regions of Florida with pruning, removal, planting and relocation, as well as many other services. You can also just call if you have questions, and we’ll be happy to make recommendations based on your specific circumstances. We have a 24-hour response team ready for anything, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our Clearwater arborist team.