Poor Tree. Who determined where and how to locate the Coral Reef Park Bridge? Regulations ignored. Once again, Palmetto Bay acts say: do as (Palmetto Bay) says, not as Palmetto Bay does.

A continuing issue for this current mayor/administration: 

1. Leaping without looking, and 

2. Rules are for others. 

I was proud to lead Palmetto Bay into becoming a "Tree City USA" municipality. But tree abuse like this should lead to Palmetto Bay being stricken from that list of honor.

What am I talking about?  This once proud Oak Tree (pictured right). I am also posting before and after photos. Note the elevation. Note that at one time these trees were planted in ground far from any paved surfaces. Now they are paved into the bridge path. Why is this a problem? Because placing asphalt too close to the roots has been described by some environmentalists as the equivalent to placing a plastic bag over someone's head, but placing a few air holes in it to provide air to breath.  This tree is now facing an uphill (or downhill) battle for survival.

Trees are important to parks (they are very important in general). Trees/plants are essential for the passive/environmental element.  Trees should line and shade walking paths, but not have their roots paved over like this one. It is also ironic to note that these impacted trees are close to the meditation area that members of the Palmetto Bay Garden club set aside for the late Dolly Morrow. Now garden club members will view what has been done to this tree.

Pictured above: the trees pre-3rd bridge built 2020-2021

Also take note of how the tree has become 'shorter'. The ground around that tree was elevated surrounding (against) the trunk. This is not healthy. This is a tree not long for this world.

Note the changed elevation for the trees adjacent to, not made part of the path

Who cares? Too few obviously, perhaps even the Palmetto Bay Tree Board. I can't believe the Tree Board Members would have signed off on this path placement. And if they didn't, well then, that is another problem in and of itself. 

Many residents want "tree protection" in Palmetto Bay; for Palmetto Bay to punish developers and property owners who cut down trees to make way for development. But here is the real issue: How can we expect Palmetto Bay to enforce rules on private property when it ignores Village rules on public land?

This is yet another example as to how this current administration operates with little regard - actually - no regard, for rules. 

Are there rules against this? Palmetto Bay adopted Chapter 24, Article IV, Division 2 of the Miami-Dade County Code, cited as Sec. 30-100.4. - Tree preservation and protection.

The technical section:

It’s a short section, simply providing that 

The Village of Palmetto Bay adopts Chapter 24, Article IV, Division 2 of the Miami-Dade County as part of the Village's Code as it relates to tree preservation and protection. DERM is responsible for administering and enforcing these provisions. (Ord. No. 08-21, § 1, 10-6-2008)

A sub part of this applicable Miami-Dade County code provides that:

(e)Natural grade shall be maintained within protective barriers. In the event that the natural grade of the site is changed as a result of site development such that the safety of the tree may be endangered, tree wells or retaining walls are required. (bold emphasis added)

Note the lack of either tree wells or retaining walls in the pictures posted. The tree trunks are merely absorbed into the new land elevations.

Finally,  Live oaks are listed as a tree unsuitable for restrictive paved areas due to large surface roots see page 4/4 http://www.fao.org/uploads/media/Trees_for_parking_lots_and_paved_areas.pdf

I once oversaw the implementation of a “right tree in the right place” program for Palmetto Bay. It is obvious that not a single village official looked at a map locating the existing trees when the current administration was looking to place a bridge.  Poor planning and execution.