Reports, Permits & Consulting
Need a professional tree report or an arborist’s opinion?
Subtropical Arborists prepares written arborist reports and Miami-Dade tree permit applications, and offers remote consulting by phone, video, or photos. These are paid professional services, separate from free estimates, and work most tree companies in Miami cannot provide.
01What’s Offered
Documentation prepared by a certified arborist.
Tree permit applications
Preparation of Miami-Dade County tree removal and relocation permit applications, including the documentation the county and municipalities require.
Written arborist reports
Formal reports describing a tree, its species, condition, and the professional justification for the recommended work.
Tree risk assessment
On-site evaluation of the likelihood and consequence of failure, with clear recommendations for pruning, support, or removal.
Tree health evaluation
Assessment of a tree’s health and structure, useful before construction, a property sale, or a decision about removal.
02Remote Arborist Consulting
Advice by phone, video, or photos.
Some questions can be answered without a site visit. Remote consulting lets you get a certified arborist’s read on a tree, a proposal from another company, or a general care question by phone, video call, or photos.
This is guidance, not a diagnosis of a hazard tree or a substitute for an on-site inspection where one is warranted. When a tree needs to be seen in person, that will be said plainly.
When it helps
- A second opinion on another company’s recommendation, such as a removal or a “hurricane cut.”
- General care and species questions for owners outside the immediate service area.
- Early guidance before deciding whether a full on-site assessment is needed.
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Share the details
You send photos and describe the tree and the question.
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Arborist review
The arborist reviews the material and discusses it with you by phone or video.
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Clear guidance
You receive plain, honest guidance and a recommendation on next steps.
What to expect: straightforward guidance from a certified arborist, and an honest answer on whether the tree should be seen in person.
03Permits in Miami-Dade
Tree pruning in Miami-Dade generally does not require a permit unless more than 25 percent of the live canopy is removed. Tree removal is different: the county requires a permit to remove most trees, with limited exemptions for certain species and prohibited invasives.
Municipalities such as Coral Gables and Pinecrest add their own requirements. Because the rules vary and change, the reliable way to confirm what a specific tree needs is an on-site assessment.
When a permit is needed, Subtropical Arborists can assess the tree, prepare the written report, and complete the application.
What is an arborist report?
An arborist report is a written document prepared by a certified arborist describing a tree, its species, condition, and the professional reasoning behind a recommendation such as pruning, preservation, or removal. It is often required to support a tree permit application.
Do I need an arborist report for a Miami-Dade tree permit?
Many Miami-Dade County and municipal tree permit applications are supported by a written arborist report, particularly for removals and for trees affected by construction. An on-site assessment determines exactly what a specific application requires.
Is a tree report the same as a free estimate?
No. A free estimate is a price for tree work. A tree report or permit application is a separate paid professional service, because it involves formal assessment and documentation by a certified arborist.
Can most tree companies in Miami prepare a tree report?
No. Most tree companies in Miami cannot prepare a tree permit application or a written arborist report. Subtropical Arborists offers this as a distinct professional service.
Can I get an arborist’s advice without a site visit?
Yes. Remote consulting gives you a certified arborist’s guidance by phone, video call, or photos when an on-site visit is not required. It is guidance, not a hazard diagnosis, and when a tree needs to be seen in person that will be said plainly.
Can you quote a job from photos?
No. Photos help prepare and prioritize, but every quote for tree work follows an on-site visit. Photos inform the visit; they do not replace it.
Request a Report
Start with an on-site assessment.
Tree reports and permit applications begin with a visit to see the tree in person. For a quick opinion, ask about a remote consultation. Contact us to arrange either.