Palm Beach Extends Ficus Hedge Disposal Fee Waiver

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Palm Beach officials have renewed a program that waives disposal fees for property owners who remove ficus hedges from their landscaping and replace them with more drought-resistant, Florida-native plants. The initiative is part of the town's ongoing campaign to encourage residents to transition away from the water-intensive and pest-prone ficus in favor of local flora.

Why it matters

Ficus hedges are a common sight in Palm Beach, but they require heavy pesticide use and large amounts of water to maintain. By incentivizing the removal of these hedges, the town hopes to promote more sustainable landscaping practices that benefit the local environment and reduce the strain on natural resources.

The details

Under the renewed program, Palm Beach will cover the costs of disposing ficus hedge trimmings for residents who agree to replace them with drought-tolerant, Florida-native plants. The town has provided this fee waiver for several years as part of its broader effort to transition away from ficus hedges, which are susceptible to pests and diseases that often require heavy pesticide application.

• The Palm Beach Town Council voted to renew the ficus hedge disposal fee waiver program on March 25, 2026.
• The program has been in place for several years, with the latest renewal extending it through the end of 2026.

What’s next

The town plans to continue promoting the ficus hedge replacement program through community outreach and education initiatives over the coming year.