by TRC_Admin | Dec 1, 2020 | Trees
Photo: Land Air Sea Photography, in Northwest Florida Daily News
“Trees on the Coast, a local environmental nonprofit, planted 10 trees during a planting ceremony on Nov. 13 at Van R. Butler Elementary School…
Principal Jimmy Ross and 40 students participated in planting the trees. Board members from Trees on the Coast were in attendance to educate the students on the trees and what purpose they would be serving the community.
The trees that were planted are available for adoption as ‘Honor Trees.’ The cost to adopt, along with a customized naming plaque, is $250, the release said.
Those interested in purchasing a naming plaque or getting more information on ‘Honor Trees’ can email info@treesonthecoast.com. More information about Trees on the Coast and corporate sponsorship can be found at Treesonthecoast.com.”
— Jim Thompson, Northwest Florida Daily News
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Visit Trees on the Coast
by TRC_Admin | Sep 30, 2020 | Trees
Photo: A lion tailed tree, Larry Figart
“Sometimes we take trees for granted. We see them as the pillars in our landscape and sometimes forget that they are living things that need the same conditions to live and thrive as our favorite flower, shrub or groundcover…
Often, we think because they are larger and live longer, they do not need as much care, or they are more tolerant of neglect. In some cases, this is true. A leaf disease that would doom our prized rose is barely a minor nuisance to a maple tree.
However, the origin of most landscape tree decline, and eventual death can be traced back to something that was done in the past (sometimes years) by someone not knowing that it would harm the tree. In the horticultural world, these practices that cause tree decline are called cultural causes and most of the time can be avoided.
Let’s explore some of the most common cultural decline causes and how to avoid them.
Giving trees enough space: I recently drove through a new subdivision. The developers had planted live oaks about 2 feet from the edge of the curb, in between the street and the sidewalk. I am sure the intention was that some day the trees would be part of a beautiful street tree canopy. It would have been better to plant the live oaks in the middle of the yard where they had plenty of space or plant a smaller tree in the space between the sidewalk and the street…
Planting too deep: The number one cause of tree decline for a young tree is the practice of planting too deep…
Not watering correctly after planting: Most newly planted trees do not get watered appropriately and take longer to become established in the landscape…
Over thinning: I often hear from homeowners that their arborist or tree trimmer wanted to thin out the center of the tree removing interior limbs and sprouts so that wind can go through the tree instead of against it. This is a common practice that sounds like a good idea but is actually very bad for trees. When a tree is pruned so that interior branches are removed it is called lion’s tailing…
Mulch volcanos: A 2-3-inch layer of mulch placed around the tree is one of the best things you can do to create a good rooting environment. However, it has become a common practice to pile the mulch up against the trunk in a layer several inches thick. The term for this is called a “mulch volcano” and it is harmful to the tree. It reduces the amount of oxygen that is available to the roots and promotes decay in the trunk by allowing the trunk to remain wetter longer…
If we treat them well, trees perform many valuable environmental services to our community. Eliminating the human caused problems that stress and weaken our urban trees will allow them to provide us with those services for a long time…”
— Larry Figart, Times-Union
More details and subjects are found in the entire article
by TRC_Admin | Jun 29, 2020 | Nature, Trees
Photo: Florida Politics
“The Florida Forest Service…announced that applications are now being taken for three community and urban forestry grant programs.
‘Urban forestry accounts for over 80,000 jobs and contributes more than $8 billion to Florida’s economy,’ said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. ‘Now is the time for our cities and towns to take advantage of these opportunities. Restoring and sustaining our urban forests is vital to improving the livability of Florida’s communities and the quality of life of our residents.’
Nikki Fried says Florida forestry accounts for 80K jobs and $8B in revenue.
The first program, Hurricane Michael Urban and Community Forest Recovery Grant, provides financial assistance to impacted communities for recovery efforts such as planting trees, tree inventory, and canopy assessment. Those qualified are eligible for up to $50,000…
The second program, Urban and Community Forests Grant Program, helps increase and protect existing tree canopies in developed areas. Qualified participants may be eligible for up to $20,000…
The third program, Managing Community Forests Grant Program, is intended to help communities create a forest management program. Funding includes up to $50,000 for three projects over a three-year window and is designed for counties with a population between 10,000 to 100,000…”
— Staff Reports, Florida Politics
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Visit the Florida Department of Agriculture site for details and applications
by TRC_Admin | Jun 29, 2020 | Trees
Photo: Fort Myers News-Press
“A group of Cape Coral residents spent Saturday morning throwing shade around the city, but it could be a few years before it provides results.
The shade thrown was in the guise of hundreds of slash pine seedlings planted near the northeast corner of Veterans Parkway and Chiquita Boulevard under the direction of a local organization, the Future Forestry Corporation.
Russ Ringland, founder and president of the group, officially started in 2004, said Skyline Self Storage bought 800 seedlings.
‘This is good news for our city and good news for our future,’ Ringland said, and pointed to a grouping of 20-foot-tall trees nearby that the organization planted 15 years ago. “It takes a few years to really see the results, but the results will be phenomenal.’
The organization’s mission is to try to bring more trees back to Cape Coral…
“We plant during the rainy season because we plant so many trees that we could not keep up with watering all of them on a regular basis,’ he explained…
Destiny Thompson, 12, was getting Boy Scout service hours helping to plant the pine seedlings.
‘It’s giving air, and you’re getting outside so you’re not trapped,’ she said.
Middle schoolers and high schoolers such as Destiny and Dominic are ideal for this plantings, Ringland said.
‘This is really good for the kids to learn they can change their environment,’ he said. ‘They have control over some things, one of them is how you take care of the place where you live.’…”
— Michael Braun, Fort Myers News-Press
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by TRC_Admin | Apr 26, 2020 | Scenic Highways, Trees
Photo: Donna Meredith
“The Tallahassee Garden Club is asking you to nominate your favorite live oak to become part of the Third Live Oak Trail. The next time you walk through your neighborhood or on a local trail, take time to appreciate the live oaks and snap a photograph of the biggest and best. Tree candidates should be visible from the street or on public property.
‘Citizens have an opportunity to become part of a community celebration honoring Tallahassee’s natural beauty — these are our trees,’ said Sudi Scott, TGC tree chair and trail coordinator.
After nominations are gathered, the Tallahassee Democrat will publish a list of locations on the trail. Just as families drive through nearby neighborhoods to view Christmas light displays, they will be able drive slowly through neighborhoods to savor a view of our heritage trees from the safety of their cars. Or citizens can stroll along a greenway or trail to enjoy groves of these ancient trees.
TGC, in cooperation with local teachers, will offer suggestions for ways parents can pass along the history and ecological importance of our heritage trees to the next generation.
‘By documenting our oldest live oak trees, our community would help revive the importance of Tallahassee’s trees and carry over an appreciation of our history,’ said Scott. She hopes the Third Live Oak Trail will gain support for thoughtful planning so Tallahassee’s citizens can preserve our city’s natural beauty today for future generations.
‘Beauty equals livability,’ Scott said…
Those trees that were on Tallahassee’s earlier Live Oak Trails will also be included if they still stand. The first Live Oak Trail took place June 6, 1940. It was co-sponsored by the Tallahassee Garden Club and the Community Planning Council. The second event was held April 13 and 14, 1941.
These original Live Oak Trails aimed to prevent destruction of the city’s live oaks, according to “The Live Oak Trail” (1999) by Carolyde Phillips O’Bryan. O’Bryan’s main resource was a scrapbook kept by her aunt, Carrie Edwards Elliot, who was instrumental in organizing the first trail. Carrie Elliot, along with her garden club colleagues and the Committee Planning Council, deserve much credit for tree preservation in Tallahassee and the development of protective ordinances.
As the book’s preface makes clear: ‘The giant live oak trees that give Tallahassee its shade and beauty are here today because of the efforts of a small group of men and women who struggled over many years to keep the city from cutting them down.’
Carrie Elliot’s legacy continues today as TGC launches a Third Live Oak Trail, and citizens strive to protect these grand oaks that are part of Tallahassee’s heritage… ”
— Donna Meredith, Tallahassee Democrat
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by TRC_Admin | Dec 31, 2019 | Trees
Photo: Kim Frisbie, Palm Beach Daily News
“…Trees protect coastal communities from severe flooding and storms by slowing water’s strength and absorbing excess water in the soil, preventing billions of gallons of runoff annually. And let’s not forget ecological restoration; a tree can be home to hundreds of species of insects, fungi, moss, birds, mammals and plants…
But not just any tree; we need to plant natives if we are to create sustainable habitats for our indigenous insects, birds, and mammals…
The following native trees all thrive in South Florida and will bring a wealth of bees, butterflies, birds and clean air back to your gardens.
Let’s start with lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), often considered the ‘royalty’ of native Florida tropical trees, and also known as the tree of life due to the resinous wood that was once thought to possess magical qualities. With a canopy of dark green leaves, this excellent multi-trunked shade tree, sprinkled with lovely blue flowers in spring and summer, deserves a place of honor in any garden. Yellow fruits split open to reveal bright red seeds loved by a variety of birds. Skipper butterflies frequent the flowers while new growth provides larval food for the lyside sulpher, a rare butterfly of the Florida Keys.
Tolerant of full sun or part shade, not particular as to soil type, and oblivious to wind and salt, this is also ideal for seaside plantings. Slow growing, reaching only 10-15 feet, this is not found farther north than coastal Palm Beach, so we are fortunate to be able to include it in our gardens. As the exceptionally hard black wood is prized by woodworkers, it has been over-collected and is now considered endangered, having disappeared from most of its original habitat. All the more reason to add this to your landscape!
Black ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum) is a 25-foot evergreen tree with the densest wood of any North American plant. Slow growing, with shiny, oval, dark green leaves and a narrow crown, it’s exceptionally drought tolerant and will thrive in full sun to part shade. The greenish flowers are extremely fragrant and attract a variety of pollinators. Juicy, sweet black fruits ripen in fall and are coveted by birds, who find good cover in the dense branching habit. Cold tolerant to the mid 20s, this is adaptable to a wide range of landscape conditions, and makes a wonderful accent tree or understory specimen. Plant it where it’s wonderful fragrant flowers and interesting form will be appreciated.
Bahama strongbark (Bourreria succulenta) is a rapid growing, shrubby evergreen tree 10-20 feet tall, with clusters of fragrant white flowers in summer followed by abundant orange-red berries in fall and winter. Hummingbirds, butterflies and a multitude of pollinators are drawn to the flowers while the fruit provides food for numerous birds and small mammals. I saw one in a friend’s garden last week and its canopy was literally alive with butterflies. Medicinal tea made from the leaves was used by native Bahamians to give them strength and a ‘strong back.’
Cinnamon bark (Canella winterana) is a wonderful small tree for a sunny or partly shaded landscape. With a dense rounded crown, lush, glossy aromatic leaves, and clusters of beautiful maroon flowers that become bright red berries, this is loved by birds and wildlife and is a nectar source for the beautiful Schaus swallowtail. The bark produces a lovely cinnamon fragrance when bruised. Tolerant of most landscape conditions, this will make a wonderful addition to your garden as a specimen or used as informal screening.
Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), is one of my favorite native trees, with its spectacular cinnamon bronze-colored peeling bark. Mature specimens given room to show off their magnificent coppery trunks and lovely broad canopies are simply stunning. This thrives in any soil, in sun or shade, and is an exceptionally fast grower, reaching an ultimate height of 60 feet. Tolerant of salt spray and cold temperatures into the 20s, it will do well in any landscape setting, and can be propagated by simply sticking a cut branch into the ground. While the rich green foliage is deciduous for a short period in late winter, small white flowers appearing at that time attract numerous insect pollinators and the reddish fruits are loved by birds and mammals.
There are many more excellent natives: palms, oaks, maples, magnolias, pines, cedars, acacias, and the list goes on. We just need to recognize the importance of adding these diverse species to our landscapes…”
— Kim Frisbie, Palm Beach Daily News
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