City arborist: disputed oak is a healthy 'grand tree' and packet report didn’t apply state statute

Jackie Hartley, the city’s senior arborist, told the Board of Adjustment the live oak at issue meets the City of Sarasota’s definition of a "grand tree" and that the written report in the hearing packet did not evaluate the tree under Florida Statute 163.045. "The arborist did not apply their, report towards that. So that really can't be considered for today," Hartley told the board.

Hartley said city staff measured the tree at roughly 30 inches in diameter and reiterated the city's standard for a grand tree is a live oak over 24 inches in diameter. She also answered technical questions from board members about how canopy size relates to root spread and explained that foundations typically extend three to four feet deep, so root growth is generally lateral and not normally under deep foundations. The arborist’s assessment weighed heavily in the board’s conclusion that the tree did not meet removal criteria under the city code packet.