Many property owners living near the coastline of Florida trim mangroves to improve their water view. Sadly, trimming these plants can harm or kill the mangroves if not done correctly. If you want to maximize your shoreline view, hiring a professional mangrove trimmer is crucial.
Mangrove Trimming Rules
In 1996, the “Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act” was passed to balance homeowners’ rights and protect the environment.
The act defines a mangrove as any specimen of the species of Laguncularia racemosa (White Mangrove), Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangrove), or Avicennia germinans (Black Mangrove). The Mangrove Act does not distinguish between living and dead mangroves; therefore, the same mangrove trimming rules apply to both.
Permits for Trimming Mangroves in Florida
Florida residents are prohibited from trimming or removing mangroves without a permit.
If you are planning on trimming your mangroves you will need to be aware of many factors such as optimal times to trim, how to measure mangroves, and trimming exceptions.
Professional mangrove trimmers, also known as PMTs, have the required certifications which allow them to trim mangroves following the “Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act.” Homeowners with mangroves over ten feet tall should always contact a PMT.
The Importance of Mangroves
Mangroves are a critical element of Florida’s ecosystem. These protected plants ward off erosions by stabilizing the coastline with their specialized root systems. Mangroves filter water and maintain water quality and clarity.
Mangroves provide a habitat for a large variety of marine organisms. Marine species such as fish and shrimp use mangroves as nurseries. The marine species are driven to mangrove forests because of the cooler water, which contains a higher oxygen content, the large amount of food availability, and the safety the trees provide.
Mangroves serve as storm buffers by reducing the effect of wind and wave action in shoreline areas and provide a natural infrastructure, protecting Florida’s populated areas by absorbing storm surge impacts during hurricanes, severe storm winds, and floods. A wide fringe can considerably reduce wave and flood damage to landward areas by enabling overflowing water that is absorbed into the expanse of forest.
The loss of mangroves would have a devastating effect on our planet by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – contributing to global warming and speeding up global climatic change.
Mangroves Growing Wild
Although the state of Florida must protect mangroves because of the benefits to the ecosystem, letting these plants grow untamed can have serious consequences. Mangroves can devalue properties by intruding on ocean views and growing so thick they ruin the use of docks. Untamed mangroves, especially black mangroves, are also a popular breeding ground for mosquitos, potential disease carriers.
Professional Mangrove Trimmers
Joshua Tree is your Southwest Florida tree expert. Our goal is to maintain the health and vibrancy of your mangrove plants while maintaining the livelihood of our ecosystem. We assure all rules and regulations concerning the trimming of mangroves are followed, including permits and authorizations in accordance with the “Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act.”
If you have any questions or need professional mangrove trimming in Southwest Florida, don’t hesitate to contact us and set up a consultation.