LTC 238-2004 Ficus Tree in Flamingo Park
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.
m
238-2004
To:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ r-6'
City Manager C
Subject: Ficus Tree in Flamingo Park
Date: September 8, 2004
From:
The purpose of this LTC is to follow-up on an E-mail I sent to you yesterday regarding the
disposition of the downed ficus tree at Flamingo Park.
As a result of Hurricane Frances, a very large ficus tree in Flamingo Park was blown over.
The tree is located at one of western accesses to the Park and adjacent to the Property
Management yard.
The tree has been evaluated by the three staff professionals with tree expertise and an
independent certified arborist. It is the consensus opinion that the tree can not be saved.
The tree has 65 to 70 percent of the root structure exposed and severed. To attempt to
save the tree it would be required to spend approximately 15,000 to 18,000 dollars, with
only a 50 percent chance of survival. More importantly, the tree would pose a hazard to
pedestrians if pruned and re-stood.
In light of the costs and risks the tree will unfortunately have to be removed. We will
continue to work to preserve those trees we can preserve which may have been damaged
by the effects of Hurricane Frances.
JMG\ptw
C: Bob Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
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