On March 17, 2026, officials at the Inverness Airport in Citrus County, Florida, announced that trees growing around the airport are creating a safety concern that county staff is working to correct in its new airport master plan. Consultants working on the airport’s master plan told the Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board that hundreds of nearby properties now have trees that either intrude into or come close to intruding into federally protected airspace around the runway.
The issue could eventually require shifting the runway’s usable landing area, a change known as a displaced threshold, if the trees are not trimmed or removed. According to Alex Vacha, aviation planner and project manager with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, “There are approximately 230 parcels that have a tree, at least one, either penetrating or very close to penetrating the protected airspace.” The obstructions are primarily trees located near both ends of the runway, where aircraft descend during landing approaches.
Before taking any action, the Federal Aviation Administration wants feedback from nearby residents. Property owners will soon receive postcards inviting them to attend informational meetings at the Lakes Region Library. The meetings will explain the issue and ask residents how they feel about possible solutions such as trimming trees, removing them or replacing them with shorter vegetation.
Vacha said, “We’d love for you to come in and take care of your airport and top trees or remove trees and replace them with lower trees.” He added that the FAA just wants to get a pulse on resident feedback before moving forward with any changes.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
Sources: Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
