Tree Enhancement Program

The County's Tree Enhancement Program was established in 2001 to facilitate increased plantings of native trees and shrubs at publicly owned properties. The use of native plants provides a low maintenance drought resistant landscape enhancement that also provides valuable habitat to local wildlife. It is totally fee funded and no tax dollars are used in this program.

The foundation of the program is a cooperative agreement with the Key Training Center, a non-profit organization that assists the developmentally disabled. The County purchases native plant seedlings, which are then planted, raised and cared for by the skilled Key Training Center nursery staff and their clients. This program has been highly successful with both high survival and growth rate of the plants. The trees are utilized in a variety of landscaping or relandscaping enhancements. Projects have included the Lecanto community Park, Bicentennial Park, the Animal Control Facility, the County's central landfill, and state parks such as the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the Withlacoochee State Trail.

A second component is through partnerships with local community groups and homeowner's associations. The Stewardship Agreement program allows these groups to plant tree enhancement program trees along public right-of-ways or drainage retention areas. The property owner's associations of Beverly Hills, Oak Ridge, and Pine Ridge, as well as the residents of Floral City have all partnered with the County through this program.

The most recent addition to the Tree Enhancement program is a residential assistance program intended to help Citrus County residents comply with the County's revised tree protection standards. Under this program, vouchers for two free native tree saplings from the County's available tree stock are provided to the applicant when a residential tree removal permit is issued. The vouchers are redeemable for one year from the date of issuance.

If you are the recipient of vouchers, we hope you will take the time and effort to redeem them and add your selected trees to you home landscape. We encourage you to make the tree planting a family project and consider utilizing additional native plants within your landscape.

To learn more about xeriscape, native plant landscaping, and environmental stewardship around your home contact the local County Extension office or conduct your own research at the local library. If you have internet access, you can read the Citrus County Environmental Homeowner's Guide or visit the Citrus County Chapter of the Florida native Plant Society website.

With just a little effort, each of us can play a role in maintaining a healthy and diverse native tree canopy in our community.