We, the residents of Plantation, Florida, are calling on the Mayor and City Council to immediately pause the removal of healthy mature oak trees being cut down due to sidewalk damage concerns.

While we understand the importance of maintaining safe sidewalks, the widespread removal of mature trees is not a sustainable or necessary first solution. Plantation has proudly been a recognized Tree City USA community for over 40 years, and the current actions threaten the very urban canopy that defines our city’s character, livability, and environmental health.

Mature oak trees provide irreplaceable benefits, including cooling our neighborhoods, reducing stormwater runoff, improving air quality, supporting wildlife, and enhancing property values. Once removed, these trees cannot be replaced for decades.

We are asking the City of Plantation to:

Immediately pause all removals of healthy mature oak trees and other trees related to sidewalk conflicts.
Require independent arborist review of every tree before removal is approved.
Publicly disclose engineering reports and alternative solutions considered (such as sidewalk redesign, root-friendly paving, or sidewalk rerouting).
Prioritize preservation-based solutions over removal wherever feasible.
Develop a long-term urban forestry plan that protects Plantation’s mature canopy.
Other cities have successfully addressed sidewalk damage without widespread tree removal. Plantation can do the same by using modern engineering solutions that protect both public safety and our urban forest. Consult cities like Coral Gables in Dade County.

We are not asking the City to ignore safety concerns—we are asking for balanced, transparent decision-making that does not unnecessarily destroy healthy, mature trees.

Once they are gone, they are gone for generations. We urge the City to act responsibly and preserve Plantation’s tree canopy before more irreversible damage is done.

Call to Action:
Sign this petition to demand that the City of Plantation pause city wide tree removals and explore preservation-first alternatives before any additional mature oak trees are cut down.