News Along the Avenue of Oaks

Maintenance of our beloved oaks is an ongoing concern.  Working with Citrus County, Duke Energy, and industry professionals, caring for our trees is a primary concern.  

Recently, Citrus County Road Maintenance repaired areas of severe damage to E. Orange Avenue, the Avenue of the Oaks.  For several years, there has been an increased amount of heavy truck traffic on that road as drivers seek alternate routes from I-75 into Citrus County.  This traffic damages not only the road, but the trees and historic buildings along the avenue, in addition to creating safety concerns regarding speed and size of the trucks.  

Additionally, "No Thru Truck" signage has been installed at various points (including at the bridge over the Withlacoochee River that divides Citrus and Sumter Counties) along US 41 and E. Orange Avenue in Citrus County and along the road (known as Bushnell Road) in Sumter County at I-75.  

The next step is to lower the tonnage of the roadway and to allow for enforcement of all of the steps to lessen use of the roadway by commercial semi-trucks and to mitigate the physical damage to the road, the trees, and the historic buildings.  If you would like to support these changes, please sign the petition located at Change.org. 

Tree Survey conducted: In 2019, a Tree Survey was conducted by Paff Tree Service, LLC to analyze needs.    If you would like a copy, call Terri Hartman at (352) 726-6644.

Floral City Heritage Council Tree Committee: 

• Terri Hartman, FCHC
• Winnie Schreiber, Forest Management
• Tom Ritchie, FCHC
• Shawn McNamara, FCHC
• Pete Antonetti, FCHC
• Deb Pedone, Paff Tree Service, LLC
• Jim Sterling, Citrus County