LTC 364-2024 Update on Pine Tree Drive Australian Pine TreesMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO.LTC#LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
FROM:Eric Carpenter,City Manager~~
DA TE:August 23,2024
SUBJECT:Update on Pine Tree Drive Australian Pine Trees
The purpose of this Letter to the Commission is to provide an update on tree trimming and
removals for the Australian Pines on Pine Tree Drive.Located from 30 Street to 46 Street,the
trees were designated a Historic Roadway by the Mayor and City Commission in 2001.This
species of trees is prohibited in Miami-Dade County,in which they cannot be cultivated or planted.
The City is required to pay for assessments,trimming,and removal as necessary for the health
of the trees and the safety of the community with concerns for the stability of the aging trees.
The trees are assessed on a routine cycle by a certified arborist to monitor the trees'health and
develop an appropriate pruning plan to extend the life of these trees.One tree was found to be
"high"risk to be an imminent danger to public safety and was removed.Nine trees were found to
have a "moderate"risk rating and are recommended for removal.Following the initial assessment,
an additional tree failed on the morning of August 9 and was removed by the City's Greenspace
Management Division.The remaining 252 trees have a "low"risk rating and will undergo structural
pruning.
Pine Tree Drive is a County road,and the work will be conducted by Miami-Dade County
contractors.The proposed scope of work requires coordination with the County and the County's
procurement process,and due to the nature of this coordination,the work is anticipated to begin
in the coming months but does not yet have a confirmed start date.
When the maintenance is conducted and nine trees are removed,appropriate community
notifications and traffic mitigation will occur.Tree pruning work will not take place on official City
holidays and the contractor will be responsible for the maintenance of traffic while the tree pruning
is occurring.
If you have any questions regarding this project,please contact Amy Knowles,Chief Resilience
Officer at amyknowles@miamibeachfl.gov.
.,#»t ree
364-2024