[Bob04090]

I'd like to cut down an oak tree. Does anyone know what the steps are to get approval from The Villages? Someone told me I have to get an arborist to approve it. Then who do I speak to at The Villages?

[Bogie Shooter]

Answers here or call.
VCDD Community Standards

[villagetinker]

You can contact Tree Frog landscaping as they have a registered arborist on staff and they are aware of the rules and regulations for oak tree removal, as I recall, these trees cannot be removed unless they are diseased or possibly imminent danger to the home. I believe there is a significant fine involved and the tree may need to be replaced.

[Normal]

I know of at least one very large one being removed and replaced with a Robellini in Springdale no questions asked. The leaves were a huge nuisance and it really brightened the street. They definitely are a pain. Even after you remove it you get their nasty offshoots for a couple of years. Grind the stump and be vigilant. You can also trim them way back if you wish and they are still in compliance.

[Dusty_Star]

Call Community Standards to check, but I think that the restrictions (replace with another, only remove dead or dying, etc.) were changed just within the past year. However, I have been looking around & so far I haven't been able to find this.

Please let us know what you find out.

[Carla B]

I heard the rules about removing oak trees changed just after we got permission last year, but I don't have the reference either. You could call ARC and ask. 352-751-3912.

We initially called an arborist from Leesburg who came by and wanted to charge $400+ to ASSESS the health of the tree to see if it could be taken down. We sent him on his way, took a few photos of the damage the tree was causing, filled out the ARC application, and wrote a letter explaining the problem. The ARC met within two weeks and granted permission. The ARC application stated we either 1) needed arborist permission or 2) needed to request an ARC hearing. The process was easy.

[Veracity]

The following is from a September 8, 2023 article in the Villages News dot com:

Residents will no longer need Architectural Review Committee approval to remove trees from their property.

Supervisors in community development districts in The Villages are relaxing the ARC requirement for tree removal as it has become unnecessary.

In 2019, legislators approved a Gov. Ron DeSantis push to allow homeowners to remove trees from their property without having to receive the blessing of local government.

“The state of Florida has made it very easy to remove trees. All a homeowner has to do is get an arborist’s report,” Deputy District Manager Carrie Duckett said. “Going to ARC is really a moot point.”

Some officials are mourning the fact that so many homeowners are cutting down trees. Now there’s one less hurdle for them to clear before tree removal.

“I have seen people buy a house and then cut the trees down. It bothers me to no end to see these beautiful mature trees cut down,” said Community Development District 1 Supervisor Kathy Porter.

When the change goes through after public hearings, the following trees will no longer receive ARC approval for removal:

• Oaks

• Magnolias

• Elms

• Maples

• Holly

Residents have always been allowed to remove palm trees without approval because palm trees are considered grass. However, Villagers living in the Lady Lake portion of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown have been required to receive permission to cut down palm trees.

[simplesimonsaid]

I have always found pruning to just above ground level beneficial.

[Blueblaze]

Its one of the perennial mysteries of life. Why do people who hate trees always buy homes in wooded neighborhoods?

The OP never mentioned why he wants to get rid of a valuable oak tree. I sure hope it isn't because he thinks the leaves that fall in the winter when he's here is unsightly -- while ignoring the benefit of shading his expensive roof from the Florida summer sun when he's not.

If he actually thinks it threatens his foundation or something, I bet a certified arborist could explain otherwise. The developer knows how close to plant a tree to a house. I would also suggest that the O.P. consider his age and the growth rate of live oaks, before he starts worrying about a problem that some future owner 50 years from now will need to deal with.

There are a (very! ) few good reasons to cut down an oak tree, but before I hear one, you won't be getting any help from me.

[bowlingal]

When the change goes through after public hearings???? When is that, Vercity??????? So until then, you still need ARC approval?

[PLedoux]

Besides ARC approval, you may need city/county approval. We lived in Lady Lake when we “Excessively Pruned” our Oak Tree, which resulted in a letter from the town stating that a fine would be assessed unless we could prove the necessity of the pruning for the health of the tree. We had to hire an arborist to verify the necessity. That got us cleared by the town (they were able to provide names of approved experts.) We then had to go to the Villages ARC to get cleared for the aesthetic issue of the oak tree. (This was before some recent state changes regarding removal of “historic” trees.) The Villages took a while to determine that we did not have to replace the tree. One of the reasons we got past that was that the tree expert had mentioned damage to our driveway from the roots of the tree and the possibility of another tree in the same spot causing more damage.
This all happened about 6 years ago, and I know some state regulations have changed, which changes rules of the ARC, but just wanted to point out that The Villages may not be your only roadblock, and that this is not worth taking this task into your own hands without getting permission from all the entities. A good tree guy should be able to guide you through the steps. They also should be aware of current regulations. The fine from the town of Lady Lake was going to be around $1200 if we had not had evidence of the tree’s health. We used Bryan Stanage, and he was wonderful. He may not be doing individual work now, as I see he is doing a lot of commercial work these days.

[chuck90199]

I agree with getting Tree Frog. They handled all the approval needed to remove an oak from our yard that had been damaged by hurricane Ian and was 20-degrees off vertical leaning toward the house. They do the tree and the cleanup. Today you'd never suspect there was ever a tree there.

[Bob04090]

Thank you to everyone who gave good information. I met with an arborist and they concluded that it is not healthy. The roots are above the ground and are going to damage the water meter at some point. The leaves are killing the lawn. According to the arborist, all I need is for them to fill out the form that approves cutting it down. I have contacted Community Standards and they said they don't have any issues. I also called the county to make sure they had no issues.

[Mrfriendly]

Originally Posted by Bob04090

I'd like to cut down an oak tree. Does anyone know what the steps are to get approval from The Villages? Someone told me I have to get an arborist to approve it. Then who do I speak to at The Villages?

Thank you for your post. we have a large magnolia next to the back of our home we want to remove due to the droppings and we want to make our backyard to be more neighbor friendly by adding privacy shrubs..

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by Bob04090

Thank you to everyone who gave good information. I met with an arborist and they concluded that it is not healthy. The roots are above the ground and are going to damage the water meter at some point. The leaves are killing the lawn. According to the arborist, all I need is for them to fill out the form that approves cutting it down. I have contacted Community Standards and they said they don't have any issues. I also called the county to make sure they had no issues.

Thank you for your follow up reply. It is very helpful.