Magistrate orders removal of large oak straddling two Cooper City properties; cost split and deadline set

A Cooper City special magistrate on Sept. 3 ordered the removal of a large live oak whose trunk straddles 8961 and 8967 Southwest 40 Ninth Court and set a Sept. 13, 2025 compliance deadline. The magistrate said removal costs would be apportioned one-half to each property owner and that a $250-per-day fine (plus a $150 administrative fee) would begin if the tree remained after the deadline.

The magistrate’s finding followed testimony from the city arborist and a certified arborist, who described lifting roots, a severe lean and significant previously improper pruning that, they said, left most of the tree’s weight cantilevered over the roadway. The city asked permission to remove the tree if the owners did not act, and the two owners present acknowledged they agreed the tree needed to come down but disputed who should pay.

Patricia Hoot,…