<\/p>\n
Miami residents argue the city is allowing too many trees to be cut down, raising concerns about environmental and quality-of-life impacts across neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
CBS News Miami | April 2026<\/p>\n
A growing group of Miami residents is urging city leaders to immediately pause tree-removal permits, warning that widespread tree loss could worsen flooding and heat.<\/p>\n
The push comes in a scathing letter signed by dozens of residents and sent Monday to Mayor Eileen Higgins, City Manager James Reyes and members of the Miami City Commission. The letter, organized by a member of Sierra Club Miami, calls for an immediate stop to certain permits until a committee of experts and stakeholders can weigh in on reforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiterally our trees are getting slaughtered,\u201d said Sandy Moise, a Miami resident and Sierra Club Miami member.<\/p>\n
Moise and others argue the city is allowing too many trees to be cut down, raising concerns about environmental and quality-of-life impacts across neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Experts say those concerns are not unfounded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel the effects on heat,\u201d said Chris Baraloto, associate director of Florida International University\u2019s Institute of the Environment. \u201cNow that it\u2019s starting to rain again, we\u2019re going to see the effects manifest themselves in stormwater.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baraloto said Miami\u2019s remaining large trees play a critical role in reducing heat and managing runoff, and should be better protected.<\/p>\n
Residents in neighborhoods like Brickell worry that replacing mature trees with smaller trees or concrete in new developments could increase flooding risks. In Morningside, realtor and lifelong resident Maji Ramos said the issue could also impact property values and insurance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t get a handle on this, how long will we be insurable?\u201d Ramos said. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Critics also question whether recent procedural changes aimed at streamlining the permitting process have made it easier for developers to bypass safeguards.<\/p>\n
City officials, however, pushed back in a statement, saying there have been no changes to the underlying rules governing tree removal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City of Miami remains committed to protecting and preserving the urban tree canopy while continuing to improve the permitting process,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Officials said applications are still reviewed under Chapter 17 of the city code, require documentation from licensed professionals such as certified arborists, and may include site visits and post-work inspections to ensure compliance.<\/p>\n
They added that recent updates were administrative improvements meant to make the process more efficient, not less strict.<\/p>\n
Still, frustration is mounting over what residents say is a lack of follow-through on promised reforms.<\/p>\n
Last summer, city commissioners approved more than $100,000 to create a public-engagement process, including a tree committee and stakeholder input. But nearly a year later, that effort has yet to fully launch.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019re almost a year later and the city has not activated the tree committee yet,\u201d Moise said.<\/p>\n
In an email to the city manager on Monday, Commissioner Rafael Rosado echoed that concern, writing, \u201cI am not sure why they haven\u2019t convened. I submitted my appointments last summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
City officials said a broader public-engagement process tied to potential updates to the tree ordinance is still moving forward, including plans for a resident advisory group and community workshops.<\/p>\n