Update on Trees in Clearwater Rights-of-Way

Published on January 23, 2023

See the Clearwater Tree Inventory & Removal Map

Recently city residents have reached out about trees after seeing trees being tagged in their neighborhood for removal. 

• The city’s Tree Assessment and Inventory Program has been put on hold for further review. While the program is being reviewed, trees will not be removed unless they pose an imminent threat to the community. 
• These trees were evaluated in 2021 and 2022 by an outside company, and some of them have been deemed to be dying, severely declining, hazardous or harboring a communicable disease. 
• All trees that have been evaluated will have a blue tag. The presence of a tag does NOT mean it will be removed. Once you see a blue tag on your tree, you can visit our website at MyClearwater.com/Trees, and look up the findings on our tree inventory. 
• Upon hearing the public’s recent concerns, the Public Works Department started the process to re-evaluate the data and methodology used for rating the trees in southern sections of Clearwater. 
• Staff will give a presentation to the City Council on this topic at the work session at 9 a.m. Jan. 30. While the public will not be able to discuss this issue at the meeting, residents can share their thoughts with the council by email or by speaking at the “Citizens to be Heard” portion of the City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 2, Council Chambers at the Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave. 
• The city is only evaluating and removing trees in the city right-of-way, not on private property. If residents have a concern that a tree is off the city right-of-way, we will send staff out to inspect. 

The city of Clearwater is working hard to keep the city’s tree canopy healthy, safe and beautiful for our residents. This includes monitoring existing trees throughout the city for disease, decay and structural integrity. The city’s Public Works Department is working with certified arborists to identify and prioritize tree maintenance in the interest of public safety. This program began in Fall 2020. 

Clearwater has been recognized as a tree city for 40 years. Our crews are working with arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), who are using industry standards to create a citywide tree inventory of the trees located in the rights-of-way in central and southern areas of the city. Eventually, crews will conduct inventories on trees throughout all of Clearwater. 

Tree inventories use a six-point scale to assess the tree’s overall structural strength and systemic health. Certified arborists examine elements of structure, such as the presence of cavities, decayed wood, rubbing branches, and other features, to determine if the tree is dead or diseased. If it is rated at zero, it is dead or is an invasive species. If it is rated at one, it is dying, severely declining, hazardous or is harboring a communicable disease. 

In fall of 2023, the Public Works department will bring forward to City Council a right-of-way tree replacement program.