Immediately recognizable by their tangled root systems that jut out of the muddy shores of rivers and estuaries across South Florida, mangroves play an vital ecological role.

Mangroves provide a habitat for thousands of vertebrate and invertebrate marine species and other wildlife, and they often bear the brunt of tropical storms and hurricanes. Although most mangroves grow out of the mud, they can also thrive in sand, peat, and coral rock, and they tolerate a level of salinity one hundred times greater than most other plants. In fact, mangroves are the only trees that can live in brackish water and they can withstand the daily ebb and flow of coastal tides that would drown most trees, even if the water itself were fresh. But these stately trees are by no means indestructible and, as such, they require expert care.

There are over half a million acres of mangroves in Florida and over 80% are under some form of government or private ownership or control and are expressly set aside for preservation or conservation purposes. This means that mangrove pruning, or removal must be conducted by a Professional Mangrove Trimmer (PMT) in compliance with the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act. Additionally, the City of Sarasota requires permits for the removal of any street tree, mangrove, or private tree on any property, and it is necessary to provide the building department with a Certified Arborist evaluation to obtain these permits.

Sarasota Arborist owner John Butts has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2006, and he has completed all PMT qualifications. If you live in Sarasota or the surrounding communities of Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lido Key and you have mangroves in or around your property, call Sarasota Arborist at 941-321-8001.

We offer specialized mangrove pruning services that cater to your needs. We can expertly trim your mangroves, in accordance with the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act, improving your view while maintaining the health of your mangroves and helping you avoid hefty fines