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Emergency tree removal in Pensacola starts with the wire, then the heritage-tree rule. Emergency tree removal, in this order is that order. The local pieces are Florida Power & Light, the city arborist permit, and the Hurricane Sally record for Escambia County.
If the tree is on a line
Stay away. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or in danger. FPL says: "If you see a downed power line or other damaged electrical equipment, be sure to stay far away and immediately call 911 or FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)."
Call the power company named on your bill. FPL's newsroom says Florida Power & Light and Gulf Power have integrated and now do business as Florida Power & Light in Northwest Florida. In its January 2022 release, FPL said it served 5.6 million customers across Florida from Miami to Pensacola. If your bill names a different company, use that number.
OSHA, writing for cleanup workers, says: "Assume that all power lines are live or energized." OSHA tells those workers to stay at least 10 feet from downed lines. Stay much farther back, and treat the line as live. Tree trimming or removal within 10 feet of a power line must be done by trained tree trimmers.
A tree is on a power line. What do I do? has the OSHA and power-company quotes in full.
The heritage tree rule
The city says a permit is needed for a heritage tree. Sand live oaks are protected at 4 inches, and heritage trees at 16 inches, on the city arborist page. That includes single-family and duplex lots in the districts the ordinance lists. Do I need a permit to remove a tree? puts Pensacola next to the other cities.
For a tree on city land or in the right of way, submit a Pensacola 311 request or call (850) 436-5670.
The storm record, and the price
Hurricane Sally brought hurricane force winds to Escambia County, with downed trees and widespread power outages. Pensacola NAS recorded gusts of 92 mph. The Census Vintage 2025 estimate for the city is 53,817 people on July 1, 2025.
The price of the cutting depends on the tree and the job. Get written quotes from more than one licensed and insured crew. How to judge a tree crew is the checklist. This page does not print a crew price.
The local record for Pensacola
What it costs
In Pensacola, the price depends on the tree and the job, including its size, where it fell, and what it is touching. Get written quotes from more than one licensed and insured crew. In an October 2024 alert after Hurricane Milton, the Florida Attorney General's office told Floridians: "Get multiple written estimates and ask whether debris removal is included in the estimate". It also said: "Get at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs". And: "Check for proof of insurance and verify with the insurer that the policy is current". And: "Check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com".
Permits and registration
The City of Pensacola arborist page says a permit is needed, under the city ordinance, for heritage trees. It says a permit is required to remove or prune a heritage tree in the zoning districts listed in section 12-6-2, for all land uses, including single-family or duplex as set out in section 12-6-7. The same page says sand live oaks are protected at 4 inches and heritage at 16 inches. Read the city page before a crew cuts, because the size rule is the city's.
Climate
The National Weather Service page on Hurricane Sally says Escambia County, Florida, had hurricane force winds, with siding and roof damage to many buildings. Downed trees played a large role in damage to some of those buildings. Power outages were widespread. Pensacola NAS recorded sustained hurricane force winds with gusts of 92 mph.
About Pensacola
For a tree on city land or in the city right of way, the arborist page says to submit a Pensacola 311 request to the Parks and Recreation Department (Tree Limbs/Tree Trim) or to call (850) 436-5670. The U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimate for Pensacola city is 53,817 people on July 1, 2025. That figure describes the city. It is not a price for tree work.
Sources
How this page was checked
- Licensed professional
- None. No licensed arborist or tree contractor has checked this page.
Ask a crew about the tree
A partner tree crew can call about the tree on the house. Asking is free, and the call does not hire them. If the tree is on a power line, call 911 or the utility before you ask a crew to come.