City Arborist Joe Farris urged Temple Terrace residents to follow the city’s three-step process for tree removal — “request, review, remove” — and said protected and grand trees require approval before they can be cut down.

“Call me first,” City Arborist Joe Farris said, providing a phone number, (813) 506-6482, and an email address he gave in the recording. “In Temple Terrace, tree removal requires the 3 R's, request, review, remove.”

Farris said property owners should review the city’s tree rules before removing trees and complete the required approval steps. He warned that removal without approval is a violation and can carry penalties. “So remember the 3 r's, request, review, remove,” he said.

The announcement was informational and did not include any formal votes or policy changes; it advised residents to contact the city arborist’s office for guidance on trimming and removal procedures and to determine whether a tree is classified as protected or a grand tree.

For questions, Farris provided the phone number listed above and directed residents to the city email address provided in the recording for further guidance.