Approved Ornamental Trees

If you want to plant new ornamental trees or replace ornamental trees you are removing, view the list of the approved species you can plant in Hillsborough County.

These trees generally obtain a mature height of 15 - 25 feet.

Characteristics legend

• F - Flowering
• E - Evergreen
• D - Deciduous sheds leaves annually
• N - Native
• M - Permitted for use in a designated area within Hillsborough County only
• View map for details (PDF)
• P - In a landscape environment, 3 palms must be planted in a cluster to credit as one tree

The view information links are for sheets or web pages on the tree, which includes pictures and/or illustrations of the trees .

Common name: Bottlebrush

• Scientific name: Callistemon spp.
• Characterstics: F, E
• View information for Bottlebrush

Common name: Crape Myrtle

• Scientific name: Lagerstroemia indica) Single Trunk, Standard
• Characterstics: F, D
• Scientific name: Lagerstroemia indica) Multi-Trunk
• Characterstics: F, D
• View information for Crape Myrtle

Common name: Cypress, Bald

• Scientific name: Taxodium distichum
• Characterstics: N,D
• View information for Cypress, Bald

Common name: Cypress, Pond

• Scientific name: Taxodium ascendens
• Characterstics: N,D
• View information for Cypress, Pond

Common name: Dogwood, Flowering

• Scientific name: Cornus florida
• Characterstics: N, F, D
• View information for Dogwood, Flowering

Common name: Elm, Lacebark

• Scientific name: Ulmus parvifolia) Includes cultivars such as: 'Drake', 'Allee', 'Bosque'
• Characterstics: D
• View information for Elm, Lacebark

Common name: Fringe Tree

• Scientific name: Chionanthus virginicus
• Characterstics: N, F, D
• View information for Fringe Tree

Common name: Holly, American

• Scientific name: Ilex opaca
• Characterstics: N, F, E
• View information for Holly, American

Common name: Holly, Dahoon

• Scientific name: Ilex cassine
• Characterstics: N, F, E
• View information for Holly, Dahoon

Common name: Holly, Topal (East Palatka, Eagleston)

• Scientific name: Ilex x attenuata) Including cultivars:'Eagleston', 'East Palatka'
• Characterstics: N, F, E
• View information for Holly, Topal (East Palatka, Eagleston)

Common name: Holly, Yaupon

• Scientific name: Ilex vomitoria
• Characterstics: N, F, E
• View information for Holly, Yaupon

Common name: Japanese Blueberry

• Scientific name: Elaeocarpus decipiens
• Characterstics: E
• View information for Japanese Blueberry

Common name: Jerusalem Thorn

• Scientific name: Parkinsonia aculeata
• Characterstics: F, E
• View information for Jerusalem Thorn

Common name: Leland Cypress

• Scientific name: Cupressus x leylandii
• Characterstics: E
• View information for Leland Cypress

Common name: Ligustrum (tree form)

• Scientific name: Ligustrum japonicum
• Characterstics: F, E
• View information for Ligustrum (tree form)

Common name: Loblolly Bay

• Scientific name: Gordonia lasianthus
• Characterstics: N, F, E
• View information for Loblolly Bay

Common name: Loquat

• Scientific name: Eriobotrya japonica
• Characterstics: F, E,
• View information for Loquat

Common name: Magnolia, Southern

• Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
• Characterstics: N, F, E
• View information for Magnolia, Southern

Common name: Oak, Myrtle

• Scientific name: Quercus myrtifolia
• Characterstics: N, E
• View information for Oak, Myrtle

Common name: Olive, European

• Scientific name: Olea europaea
• Characterstics: E
• View information for Olive, European

Common name: Palms, Date (Medjool, Canary Island Date)

• Scientific name: Phoenix spp. (excluded Roebellini) 1 tree = 1 tree
• Characterstics: E
• View information for Palms, Date (Medjool, Canary Island Date)

Common name: Palm, Bismarck

• Scientific Name: (Bismarckia nobilis) 1 tree = 1 tree
• Characteristics: E
• View information on Palm, Bismarck

Common name: Palm, Foxtail

• Scientific name: Wodyetia bifurcata
• Characterstics: E, P, M
• View information for Palm, Foxtail

Common name: Palm, Mule

• Scientific name: Butiagrus nabonnandii) 1 tree = 1 tree
• Characterstics: E,
• View information for Palm, Mule

Common name: Palm, Ribbon

• Scientific name: Livistona decipiens
• Characterstics: P, E
• View information for Palm, Ribbon

Common name: Palm, Royal

• Scientific Name: (Roystonera regia) 1 tree = 1 tree
• Characteristics: E, M
• View information on Palm, Royal

Common name: Palm, Sabal

• Scientific name: Sabal palmetto
• Characterstics: N, E, P
• View information for Palm, Sabal

Common name: Palm, Washington

• Scientific name: Washingtonia robusta
• Characterstics: E, P
• View information for Palm, Washington

Common name: Plum, Chickasaw

• Scientific name: Prunus angustifolia
• Characterstics: N, F, D
• View information for Plum, Chickasaw

Common name: Plum, Flatwoods

• Scientific name: Prunus umbellata
• Characterstics: N, F, D
• View information for Plum, Flatwoods

Common name: Podocarpus

• Scientific name: Podocarpus macrophyllus
• Characterstics: E
• View information for Podocarpus

Common name: Podocarpus, Nagi

• Scientific Name: (Podocarpus nagi)
• Characteristics: E
• View information on Podocarpus, Nagi

Common name: Redbud

• Scientific name: Cercis canadensis
• Characterstics: N, D, F
• View information for Redbud

Common name: River Birch

• Scientific name: Betula nigra Dura heat cultivar
• Characterstics: N, D
• View information for River Birch

Common name: Southern Red Cedar

• Scientific name: Juniperus virginiana var. silicola
• Characterstics: N, E
• View information for Southern Red Cedar

Common name: Southern Wax Myrtle

• Scientific name: Myrica cerifera
• Characterstics: N, E
• View information for Southern Wax Myrtle

Common name: Sparkleberry

• Scientific name: Vaccinium arboreum
• Characterstics: N, D
• View information for Sparkleberry

Common name: Summer Haw

• Scientific name: Crataegus flava
• Characterstics: E
• View information for Summer Haw

Resources

• Apply for a tree removal permit
• Apply for a Single Family Duplex Natural Resources Permit
• Protective barrier requirements
• Residential Tree Removal Guide (PDF) | Tree Removal Guide - Spanish (PDF)
• Approved Tree and Hedge Materials List (PDF)
• Hillsborough County Pruning Best Practices (PDF)
• Tree Removal in Hillsborough County webinar video
• Tree Replacement Guide (PDF)

Contact

If you have Natural Resource questions that are not answered here, submit a Natural Resources Inquiry or call the Natural Resource Unit at (813) 272-5600.