Bartow is a city with its own development rules inside Polk County, and Polk County government's main offices are also here, which can make it unclear whose rules apply to your tree. We are an independent service. Call, describe the tree, and we connect you with an independent local tree company. The company that takes the job sets its own price and does the work.
Polk County's Board of County Commissioners has its offices on West Church Street in Bartow, but being near county offices does not put your home under county tree rules. If your property is inside the City of Bartow, the city's Unified Land Development Code applies, and permitting questions go to Development Services and Permitting. In what we found, the code asks site development plans to include a tree-preservation plan and information on significant trees. We did not find a published homeowner procedure specifically for removing one yard tree, so ask the city before you remove a large tree or clear a lot, and get the answer in writing.
Outside city limits, Polk County rules apply instead, and our permit guide covers that side. Florida Statute 163.045 also limits what any local government can require for a documented dangerous tree on a single-family detached lot, when an ISA-certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect signs the assessment.
Polk County's initial damage assessment, reported by The Ledger on October 17, 2024, recorded a 94 mph gust in Bartow and a 103 mph gust in Mulberry. The county said most of the damage was in the northwest quadrant and that trees through roofs and flooding did the most property damage. Hurricane Charley in 2004 also hit Polk County hard: the National Weather Service lists Polk among the counties with the most significant damage, and describes a damage path similar to Hurricane Donna's in 1960.
A tree that looks fine from the street can be failing at the roots. If you are unsure, an ISA-certified arborist can assess it, and some companies can arrange that assessment as part of a quote.
We also cover Mulberry and Winter Haven, or see all service areas.
Call (863) 267-9528 or use the contact page. We connect you with an independent local provider; the provider does the work and sets its price.
Tree Removal Lakeland is an independent service that connects callers with local tree care providers; we are not a tree contractor. Disclosure