Prune for a reason—not just because it is on the calendar
Trees provide shade, beauty, and a more comfortable landscape. Good pruning addresses a specific need while preserving the plant’s health and natural form.
The attached Palm Beach County Pruning Guidelines identify purposes including removing dead or diseased growth, reducing injury and property risks, improving structure, and maintaining appropriate plant form. The right treatment depends on the species, age, condition, and location.
Healthy trees. Safer walkways. Better community living.
Century Village: clarify responsibility first
Before ordering work, determine who owns or maintains the landscape area: your association, another entity, or an owner under the governing documents. Coordinate with the responsible party when trees are near shared roads, utilities, recreation facilities, or neighboring property.
Residents should report hazards to the association or manager rather than authorize common-area tree work themselves. Boards should give their manager or landscape contractor a clear scope, budget, and reporting requirement.
Keep paths accessible for residents using walkers, canes, or wheelchairs. Arrange work zones, advance notices, vehicle relocation where needed, and debris removal so pruning does not create a new hazard.
Palms are not shade trees
The county guide states that no more than one-third of palm fronds should be removed and that pruning above the horizontal line is prohibited except for dead or diseased fronds. These are limits—not a recommendation to remove one-third on every visit.
UF/IFAS recommends preserving healthy foliage and warns against “hurricane cuts.” Removing most fronds does not make a palm hurricane-proof; observations after storms found greater crown breakage in heavily cut palms.
Yellowing or partly discolored fronds may indicate nutrition or other problems. Ask for a diagnosis before treating every discolored frond as something to remove. Discuss appropriate tool sanitation to reduce disease transmission.
Further reading: UF/IFAS — Pruning Palms · UF/IFAS palm-pruning technical guidance.
Avoid topping, hatracking & unnecessary damage
The county guide prohibits tree topping or hatracking and calls for tree professionals to follow ANSI A300 pruning standards. It encourages trees to grow in their natural form.
| Warning sign | Better question to ask |
|---|---|
| “We will cut the entire top off.” | Can a qualified arborist prescribe suitable structural or reduction pruning for the actual problem? |
| “The more branches we remove, the safer it is.” | What amount and type of pruning does this tree need, and what harm could excessive removal cause? |
| “All palms get the same cut.” | Which species is this, and which fronds actually need removal? |
| “We can cut the roots to fit the sidewalk.” | Has a qualified professional assessed stability, tree health, and alternatives before root disturbance? |
| “We will remove it first and ask about permits later.” | Who has confirmed the applicable approvals, landscape-plan conditions, and replacement requirements? |
Improper pruning can create lasting damage and replacement costs. Ask the contractor to explain how the proposed work preserves an appropriate canopy rather than accepting a drastic cut as routine maintenance.
Storm preparation begins with regular care
Arrange inspection and necessary maintenance before storm season. After a storm, keep residents away from hanging limbs, leaning trees, unstable root areas, and damaged electrical lines. Call 911 for immediate danger and contact the utility for power-line concerns.
Use qualified professionals to assess whether a damaged tree can be restored or must be removed. Storm damage is not a reason to assume topping is appropriate. Plan safe access, debris handling, and any required replacement.
Reference: UF/IFAS — Restoring Trees After a Hurricane.
Hurricane cleanupChoose a qualified tree service
For significant pruning or tree-risk concerns, seek a qualified arborist, such as an ISA Certified Arborist with relevant experience. Ask about risk-assessment qualifications when evaluating hazards. A professional credential, business license, and insurance serve different purposes; verify each claim.
- Obtain a written scope identifying the trees and the reason for each treatment.
- Ask for the pruning standard and species-specific approach.
- Verify appropriate liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage or lawful exemption.
- Check references for comparable work in occupied communities.
- Specify safety barriers, utility coordination, cleanup, and protection of nearby property.
- Require confirmation of applicable permits or approvals before work begins.
A low price is not a saving if the work damages the tree or leaves the association with cleanup, liability, or replacement costs.
Pruning, removal & replacement are different decisions
Check current Palm Beach County requirements for the exact site and work. Routine pruning should not be treated as permission to remove a tree or change an approved landscape plan. Do not assume a residential exemption applies to a condominium’s common landscape.
The county guide explains that damage from improper pruning can lead to enforcement and that required plants lost in a natural disaster must be replaced. Ask the Landscape Section to confirm current requirements, timing, and any applicable exceptions.
County landscape FAQs · County landscape and permit-review resources
Right tree. Right place. Right care. When replacement is needed, choose a species with enough room for its mature canopy and roots.
Board pruning checklist
- Inventory and assess. Identify trees, palms, hazards, and maintenance needs with qualified help.
- Confirm authority. Determine the responsible entity and applicable county requirements.
- Write the scope. Define the purpose, trees, standards, limits, safety arrangements, and cleanup.
- Select and verify. Compare suitable proposals, qualifications, and insurance.
- Communicate and oversee. Give residents notice and have the manager track work against the agreed scope.
- Document completion. Keep photographs, reports, invoices, approvals, and follow-up recommendations.
Schedule maintenance based on the plant and its condition. A recurring contract should allow the association to question unnecessary work rather than reward excessive cutting.
County guidance & related reading
This page draws on the supplied Palm Beach County Pruning Guidelines, published by the Zoning Division’s Landscape Section, and the linked UF/IFAS resources. Confirm current code provisions before commissioning work.
Landscape / Zoning questions: 561-233-5200, as listed in the supplied county guide. Use the official county page to confirm current contacts and requirements.
Landscaping & pest controlProperty managersBack to Property & SafetyReviewed October 17, 2026. Educational guidance; not a site-specific tree assessment. Use qualified professionals and confirm current rules, landscape approvals, and responsibilities for the property involved.
Approve the treatment tree by tree
Use a numbered site plan or photo register showing each tree, species if identified, concern, professional recommendation, permitted scope, approval status, and follow-up. Make clear when the proposal is pruning, removal, root work, or replacement.
- Document why the work is needed and how it will protect access and nearby property.
- Confirm utility coordination and applicable site approvals before work.
- Keep before-and-after photographs taken safely from the ground.
- Record unexpected damage or work outside the scope promptly.
Ask the arborist and county about the actual site requirements. A contractor’s standard pruning package does not establish that every tree needs the same treatment.
Connected maintenance and community resources
Authority matters: Florida law establishes statutory duties; governing documents define association authority subject to law; contractual duties come from applicable agreements. UCO procedures address separate UCO functions. The added registers and workflows are Board Synergy recommended practices, not prescribed statutory forms. Historical articles provide background rather than current legal instructions.