‘It makes your heart bleed’: Protected mangroves slashed in Volusia County

WILBUR-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Around 500 mangroves in Volusia County were cut well below the height mandated by state guidelines, forcing the state to get involved to figure out how and why it happened.

State law says that trees can not be trimmed to under 6 feet, but some 500 trees in Wilbur-By-The-Sea were slashed far below that on New Year’s Eve.

The Wilbur-By-The-Sea board president said the board gave a homeowner permission to trim the trees, but only if he hired an arborist and followed state law.

The president said when he drove by and saw what had been done, he was shocked and heartbroken.

“Oh my goodness, it makes your heart bleed because we watched them grow since we were young,” said Wilbur-By-The-Sea resident Charles Pruitt.

Neighbors said it’s already disrupted the ecosystem, displacing animals and destroying the privacy the mangroves provided.

SB Tree Service, which did the work, said the homeowner who hired them said everything was taken care of.

Now, the state is getting involved and warning those responsible could face serious fines. According to the state, there can be up to a $250 fine for any mangrove being illegally altered.

The state sent out warning letters to the Wilbur-By-The-Sea board president, SB Tree Cutting Service and Peter Zarcone because of what the state said was the unauthorized trimming and alteration of 500 mangroves.

SB Tree Service and the board said they are both working with the state to fix it.

Channel 9 contacted the homeowner but has not heard back.

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