Tree removal in Four Corners, FL
Galapagos removes trees in Four Corners after checking who has to approve it: your HOA or CDD, and the county your lot is in. We take the tree down in sections, haul the debris away and can grind the stump so you can re-sod or plant a tree better suited to the space.
Approval first
Many associations here have rules about removing trees, and some ask for a replacement. Getting that settled first avoids a violation notice later. County rules also differ across Lake, Orange, Osceola and Polk, so we check what applies to your parcel before we schedule.
Florida law (s. 163.045) says a local government may not require a permit to remove a residential tree that an ISA-certified arborist or a Florida-licensed landscape architect documents as an unacceptable risk. That exemption does not cover association rules.
Is the tree on your lot?
Many Four Corners subdivisions back onto ponds, wetlands or conservation areas, and trees along those edges may sit on common land or inside an easement rather than on your lot. Your plat or survey shows the line. If the tree is on community land, the association or district handles it.
Clean site, ready to replant
We remove the tree in sections, haul the debris and can grind the stump so you can re-sod or plant a better-suited tree. Stump grinding counts as digging, so underground utilities are marked through Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before.
Trees too close to a new house
Some lots kept native trees within a few feet of the new foundation, and some builders planted fast-growing trees beside the drive. As they grow, roots can lift pavers and crack walks, and limbs reach the roof and gutters. If a young tree is clearly in the wrong place, removing it now is simpler and cheaper than waiting until it is twice the size.
What tree removal includes
- a visit to see the tree, what is under it and how to reach it
- a written quote with stump grinding and restoration as separate options
- sectional removal, with protection for roofs, fences, pool cages and turf
- haul-away of all wood and leaves
- optional stump grinding, fill and new sod or a bed
How the job runs
- You confirm ownership and approvals; we check the county.
- Sunshine 811 is called if the stump will be ground.
- Limbs first, then the trunk in sections, lowered by rope where needed.
- Cleanup of the drive, walks and lawn.
What affects the price
- height, trunk size and species
- targets underneath: roof, pool cage, fence, power lines
- access through gates and between houses
- stump grinding and restoration
- debris volume
Related services in Four Corners
If the tree can stay, tree trimming may solve the problem. For palms, see palm trimming in Four Corners, and to fill the space afterward, landscaping in Four Corners. Read the full tree removal guide.
Watering rules here
St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)
Phase III water-shortage order: odd addresses Saturday, even addresses Sunday, nonresidential Tuesday; no irrigation 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; no more than one hour per zone.
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
Water-shortage order (Modified Phase III) through March 31, 2027: one day a week by the last digit of your address — 0–1 Monday, 2–3 Tuesday, 4–5 Wednesday, 6–7 Thursday, 8–9 Friday — midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Your city may be stricter.
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
Year-round rule: odd addresses water Wednesday and/or Saturday, even addresses Thursday and/or Sunday, never between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Checked October 7, 2026. Rules change during droughts — confirm with the official source.
Fertilizer rules
Unincorporated Lake County and Orange County: no nitrogen or phosphorus June 1–September 30. Polk and Osceola: no summer ban, but no fertilizing before heavy rain or during storm watches, with setbacks from water.
Questions about tree removal
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Four Corners?
It depends on your county and on the tree. A tree documented as an unacceptable risk by an ISA-certified arborist or a licensed landscape architect is exempt from local permits under Florida law. For other trees, we check your county’s rules, and your HOA may have its own.
The tree is between my yard and the pond. Is it mine?
Maybe not. Pond banks and conservation edges are often common property or easements. Check your survey or ask your association before scheduling a removal.
My HOA wants a replacement tree. Can you plant it?
Yes. After grinding the stump, we can plant a replacement that fits the space and your association’s list, and quote both jobs together.
How long does a removal take?
Most single residential trees come down in a day, including cleanup. Large trees near a house or pool cage can take longer because every section is lowered by rope.