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By Kurt On October 21, 2011make a Comment
Native Florida Trees are being planted more and more today in residential landscapes. This is not only for their natural beauty, but because their low maintenance makes them practical to use in landscaping. Since popularity and demand for native trees has increased, homeowners will find more selections available from nurseries than ever before.
In recent years native trees in Florida have been torn down from massive development. Unfortunately, since this began thousands of Native Florida Trees have been lost. This is one of the reasons why the State Of Florida now encourages homeowners to use native trees when planting new trees in their landscape.
Planting Native Florida Trees
Planting Native Florida Trees is not any different than planting other types of trees. The guidelines and requirements to be followed are the same. However, it may be necessary to reduce some of the top growth by “thinning” (removing one or more branches at the point of origin). This will preserve it’s natural shape. Do Not cut back all the top growth to the same level, which will ruin it’s shape.
When planting Native Florida Trees the top of the “root ball” needs to be placed in the ground at the same depth or level as it is grown in the field or container. If there is any circling of roots (root bound) in the “root ball” cut them vertically before planting, so the root system can grow laterally for good growth and establishment.
Plant large growing trees (over 40ft. in height) at least 30 ft. away from a home or building to avoid roof damage from falling limbs during bad storms, and damage done to the foundation from the spreading of roots. Plant small trees (up to 25ft.) and medium size trees (25-40ft.) at a distance of 10-20ft. from a home.
Care Of Newly Planted Native Trees
After Native Florida Trees have been planted proper care is needed for them to grow successfully. Newly planted trees should be watered weekly or several times a week during the first 3 months. Regular watering is done according to the amount of rainfall that occurs , and the drainage of the soil (water holding capacity).
After planting, a top dressing of a “complete” (contains essential and micro nutrients) slow-release granular tree fertilizer can be applied within the drop line around the tree. Do Not place it up against the trunk of the tree. Amount of fertilizer to be used is determined by the size of the tree planted. This information should be listed in the fertilizer label on the product. Fertilize again after 6 months of planting. No more than 2 times during the first year of establishment is needed.
Adding mulch of organic material at a depth of 2-4 inches is also recommended, leaving a space around the trunk for air circulation. Do Not pile mulch up against the trunk.
Newly planted large growing Native Florida Trees may take up to a year to become fully established. Production of new growth during the first year is an indication that the tree is being well established. This also applies to any size tree that is new.
Listed Are Names And Information On Native Florida Trees
Native Trees For North Florida
Deciduous (shed leaves in fall, bare in winter)
Name Form (shape) Size (height ft.)
Box Elder spreading over 40
Red Maple spreading 25-40
Florida Maple oval 25-40
River Birch oval over 40
Hackberry round over 40
Redbud round 25-40
Fringe Tree round up to 25
Hawthorn vase-shaped up to 25
Silver- Bell round up to 25
Sweet Gum round over 40
Crab Apple vase-shaped up to 25
Red Mulberry spreading 25-40
Sour Gum oval over 40
Sycamore round over 40
Southern Red Oak round over 40
Bald Cypress pyramidal over 40
Native Trees For North Florida
Evergreen (maintains leaves year round)
Name Form (shape) Size (height ft.)
Live Oak spreading over 40
Loblolly Bay oval 25-40
Dahoon Holly oval 25-40
American Holly pyramidal 25-40
Southern Magnolia oval over 40
Wax Myrtle round up to 25
Slash Pine round over 40
Spruce Pine oval 25-40
Leylend Cypress pyramidal 25-40
Laurel Oak oval over 40
Florida Sugar Maple round 25-40
Sparkle Berry round up to 25
Eastern Red Cedar oval 25-40
Youpon Holly oval up to 25
Cherry Laurel oval 25-40
Southern Juniper pyramidal 25-40
Native Trees For Central Florida
Deciduous (shed leaves in fall, bare in winter)
Name Form (shape) Size (height ft.)
Pignut Hickory oval over 40
Sugar Berry round over 40
Redbud round 25-40
Fringe Tree round up to 25
Dogwood round up to 25
Green Ash round over 40
Sweet Gum round over 40
Red Mulberry spreading 25-40
Sour Gum oval over 40
Sycamore round over 40
Flatwoods Plum round up to 25
Shumard Oak round over 40
Soapberry round 25-40
Bald Cypress pyramidal over 40
Winged Elm round 25-40
Red Maple oval 25-40
Buckthorn round 25-40
Native Trees For Central Florida
Evergreen (maintains leaves year round)
Name Form (shape) Size (height ft.)
Loblloy Bay oval 25-40
Dahoon Holly oval 25-40
American Holly pyramidal 25- 40
Southern Red Cedar pyramidal 25-40
Southern Magnolia oval over 40
Sweetbay spreading 25-40
Wax Myrtle round up to 25
Sand Pine oval 25-40
Spruce Pine oval 25-40
Longleaf Pine round over 40
Loblolly Pine round over 40
Laurel Oak oval over 40
Live Oak spreading over 40
Simpson’s Stopper round 25-40
Youpon Holly oval up to 25
Native Trees For South Florida
Deciduous (shed leaves in fall, bare in winter)
Name Form (shape) Size (height ft.)
Pond Apple round 25-40
Gumbo Limbo round 25-40
Jamaican Dogwood spreading 25-40
Soapberry round 25-40
Bald Cypress pyramidal over 40
Native Trees For South Florida
Evergreen (maintains leaves year round)
Name Form (shape) Size (height ft.)
Satin Leaf round 25-40
Fiddlewood oval up to 25
Pigeon Plum oval up to 25
Sea Grape spreading up to 25
Silver Buttonwood round up to 25
Geiger Tree round up to 25
Strangler Fig vase- shaped over 40
Dahoon Holly oval up to 25
Wild Tamarid round 25-40
Mastic Tree round over 40
Sand Pine oval 25-40
Slash Pine oval over 40
Laurel Oak oval over 40
Live Oak spreading over 40
Paradise Tree round 25-40
Yellow Elder round up to 25
Tawnberry Holly oval 25-40
Yaupon Holly oval up to 25
Simpson’s Stopper round 25-40
Twinberry round 25-40
Planting native trees improves the natural setting around a home, and preserves the environment by restoring the land. Using native trees in landscaping helps retain our natural resources. We can all benefit and enjoy having attractive beautiful Native Florida Trees in our landscapes.
Kurt Kmetz
Recent Posts
By Kurt On June 10, 2011
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Even though tropical palm trees can experience problems during the winter, there are some cold hardy palms. Palm trees in Florida adaptable to cooler climates can be found in landscape nurseries. Some palm tree types that are found in central and southern Florida can also do good in north Florida.
Listed here are some cold hardy palms that add a tropical appearance around your home and landscape.
Windmill Palm Trees
A very popular palm tree, excellent for any landscape. It is one of the most cold hardy palms for cooler climates. Height range is from 5-10 feet tall. It has a slender erect solitary trunk with fan shaped leaves. Very adaptable to any soil condition. Used as borders or as a base plant and is also good for patios in a large pot. Has high salt tolerance so it is good for seaside locations.
Pindo Palm Tree
Grows to a height range of 10-20 feet tall. Has a heavy trunk with feather shaped leaves that are low growing. Leaves have a bluish-gray color. It is a slow grower that will need ample space to develop. Used as a border or base in a landscape. Very adaptable to any soil. It is the most cold hardy palms, with feather shaped leaves.
European Fan Palm
It has a height range of 2-5 feet. This is one of the most widely used dwarf, clump growing, palm tree types with fan shaped leaves. It is a slow grower that is used for borders or as a base plant. It is also good for patios in a large pot. Excellent as a small plant for homes. It tolerates many types of soils and has a high salt tolerance, which makes it good for beach side plantings, or along seawalls.
Dwarf Date Palm
This is a trunk less species of cold hardy palms that will grow in clusters with a height of 3-5 feet tall. It does need plenty of room for it’s spreading leaves. It grows best in full sun and is extremely drought tolerant. It is native from northern India to southern China.
Cold Hardy Palms Sonoran Palmetto Species
This palm is a distinct-looking palm tree species of Sabal. The leaves range in color from bluish-green to silver. It has a thick trunk and grows 30-40 feet tall. It is a slow grower so will take years to reach it’s full height. It loves full sun and is very drought tolerant. It is native to northwestern Mexico.
Phoenix Loureirol
It is primarily a thin, single-stemmed type of cold hardy palms, that grow to a height of 10-15 feet tall. However there are forms that are clustering. The fronds have thin leaflets with colors that vary from bluish-green to totally green. It can grow well in full sun or partial shade. It is drought tolerant and adapts to infertile soils. It is widely native from India to southern China, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
As you can see there are palm tree types that are considered to be cold hardy palms. Cold weather palm trees can be placed in landscapes in areas that experience cooler climates. You can enjoy the tropical look and not have to worry about the cold weather hurting them.
Kurt Kmetz
By Kurt On June 3, 2011
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The crape myrtle tree is great for Florida’s climate throughout north, central, and southern regions. Often used in landscapes as a beautiful tree with lots of color when blooming. Proper crape myrtle tree care is needed for good health and growth. Flowering begins in June continues through the summer on into early fall.
Clusters of buds on the tips of branches produce hundreds of 1-2 inch blooming flowers. Crape myrtle tree types consist of the colors, red, white, lavender or pink, and purple. Leaves are 1-4 inches long and turn red in spring, dark green in summer. In northern Florida tree leaves will turn yellow, orange, red in the fall.
Tree Placement
The time to plant container-grown crape myrtle trees is during early summer when in active growth. Balled or burlapped crape myrtles should be planted while dormant. Place in full sun for they do poorly in shaded areas. Plant in well drained soil for they don’t like soil that stays wet and soggy. Trees need good air circulation to avoid having problems. Crape myrtle trees have a low salt tolerance level, so do not plant close to sea walls or seaside locations.
Watering Crape Myrtles
A newly planted tree needs to be watered regularly for the first three weeks, for good root establishment. When established watering every two weeks is sufficient for crape myrtle tree care. When fully mature crape myrtle trees are drought tolerant and can go without watering for a month, if there is no rainfall or problems with irrigation.
Fertilizer Crape Myrtle Tree Care
Crape myrtle trees when mature do not need to be fertilized very often. When placed in the middle of lawns they receive nutrients from lawn fertilization. Mature trees in other locations need one application a year in spring. However newly planted trees require fertilization in the beginning up to three times the first year. Early crape myrtle tree care will help stimulate growth for young trees.
Crape Myrtle Tree Care For Pests and Problems
Primary pests are powdery mildew and the aphid insect which produces “Black Sooty Mold” . A program of spraying a systemic pesticide and fungicide for crape myrtle tree care can help control problems. Regular inspections will detect any problems early, to avoid spreading. Sprays of insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil will stop aphids on contact.
Aphid insects are pale yellow in color found underneath the leaves and are attracted to new growth. Infested leaves will become distorted and the new growth is stunted. Aphids suck the juices out of stems, and eventually can severely injure the tree. Aphids reproduce quickly and will spread to other trees close by, without immediate insecticidal crape myrtle tree care.
Aphids secrete droplets containing a sugary solution called ” Honey Dew “, which produces ” Black Sooty Mold ” on leaves and stems. It interferes with the leaves from getting sunlight hindering photosynthesis.
Powdery mildew is caused by a fungus and is seen first on new shoots. Then it spreads to the leaves, stems, and flowers. They will also become distorted and stunted from this problem. When severe leaves will drop and buds fail to open. Trees planted in shade and in locations with poor air circulation will have problems with powdery mildew. Also continuous wetting of leaves from irrigation staying wet and do not dry from sun can cause it to occur.
The crape myrtle tree is one of the most common part a Florida landscape. Trees can be seen along our roads, highways, and parks. During the summer with loads of blooming colorful flowers, they are attractive and eye catching. With good crape myrtle tree care they will offer a beautiful setting for years.
Kurt Kmetz
