Dunedin: the Grand Tree capital of Pinellas.
Dunedin runs the most developed big-tree program I work under: designated Grand Trees by species and size, permits even for pruning them, and rules for tree crews like mine.
Dunedin permits removal of any protected tree at 4 inches DBH — dead trees explicitly included — and requires a permit even to PRUNE a Grand Tree. The exempt list is generous (citrus, ficus, cherry laurel, all palms except cabbage palms with 6-foot trunks, and the invasives), the fee is $25 filed online, and the City Arborist (727-298-3279) reviews everything. Dunedin also formally opted out of the county’s tree ordinance — its code is the only one that applies. Code: LDC §105-35.
The Grand Tree program
The county’s most developed big-tree regime, by species and size in good condition: live, laurel and swamp laurel oaks at 36 inches DBH; sand live oak and American elm at 30; bald and pond cypress, longleaf and slash pine, pignut hickory, southern magnolia, sweetbay and southern red cedar at 28. Grand Trees can’t have canopy or roots pruned without a permit and an approved arborist performing or supervising — and removal prices at inch-for-inch replacement or $60 per DBH inch to the tree bank. On regular trees, single-family lots get a workable deal: healthy-tree removals can be approved with “good reason” if your lot still meets its minimum tree count, with modest replacement below it.
The crew rules (ask your bidders)
Dunedin regulates the tree service too: a city business license, $500,000 of tree-classified liability insurance, no debris left curbside for city pickup, no removal of more than 25% of a tree’s live foliage in a year, and an outright topping ban. Four quick questions to any bidder — license, insurance class, debris plan, pruning dose — sort the compliant from the cheap in about a minute.
Verified 2026-07-14 against the current municipal code and official city materials; ordinances change — confirm current rules with the city before cutting. This is plain-language guidance from a tree service, not legal advice. Weave's handles permit questions as part of every removal quote.
Questions Cody hears every week.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Dunedin?
For any protected tree 4 inches DBH and up — and Dunedin says explicitly that DEAD trees still require the permit. The exempt-species list is long (citrus, ficus, cherry laurel, all palms except 6-foot cabbage palms, and the usual invasives). $25, filed online; the city arborist reviews.
What counts as a Grand Tree?
Species-plus-size, in good condition: live and laurel oaks at 36 inches DBH; sand live oak and American elm at 30; cypress, longleaf and slash pine, hickory, magnolia, sweetbay and southern red cedar at 28. Grand Trees can’t be pruned — canopy OR roots — without a permit and an approved arborist doing or supervising the work.
Anything unusual about hiring tree work in Dunedin?
Yes — the rules extend to the crew: tree services must hold a Dunedin business license and $500k of tree-classified liability insurance, debris can’t be left curbside for city pickup, taking more than 25% of a tree’s live foliage in a year is unlawful, and topping is banned outright. Ask any bidder about all four; the answers are diagnostic.
Tell Cody about your tree.
Three fields. He answers his own phone — you’ll hear back fast.
Faster: text a photo of the tree to (727) 761-8618.