Tree Planting Tips

Use Native Trees

 

Native plants are well suited to the local ecology and growing conditions.

 

Avoid planting invasive species which can grow out of control and crowd out native plants and which do not nurture beneficial native wildlife - bees, butterflies and native wasps - which are also pollinators and destroyers of destructive worms and caterpillars.

 

Exotic (non-native) plants and trees also should be avoided as they require more water, fertilizer and care than native species, while they provide no benefit to native wildlife.

The University of Florida Gardening Solutions website can help you make a decision on which tree would be best for your yard.
Another resource is the Florida Native Plant Society

Use Local Resources

If still unsure about what type of tree would be best for your space, call an ISA certified arborist.

View arborists

Create Your Own Butterfly Garden

In addition to the host plant, butterfly gardens also need at least one flowering nectar plant. Tropical sage is a popular nectar plant, especially the red ones. Also rosinweed, coneflower and coreopsis.

If you plant them, they will come.

To Attract:
Common Buckeyes

 

Plant:
  • Twinflowers
  • Plantain (Plantago Species)
 

To Attract:
Cassius Blues

 

Plant:
  • Wild Plumbago

To Attract:
Tiger Swallowtails

 

Plant:
  • Sweet Bay Magnolia
To Attract:
Black Swallowtails

 

Plant:
  • Mock Bishopweed
  • Golden Alexander
  • Water Dropwort
  • Dill
  • Parsley
  • Fennel
  • Rue
To Attract:
Great Southern Whites

 

Plant:
  • Pepperweed
To Attract:
Monarchs

 

Plant:
  • Native Milkweeds and Milkvines

To Attract:
Gulf Fritillary

 

Plant:
  • Maypop Passion Vine

To Attract:
Cloudless Sulfur

 

Plant:
  • Cassia Species (Including Partridge Pea)

To Attract:
Spicebush Swallowtail

 

Plant:
  • Spicebush
To Attract:
White Peacock

 

Plant:
  • Water Hyssop
  • Frog Fruit
To Attract:
Zebra Swallowtail

 

Plant:
  • Corkystem Passionflower/Passionvine
To Attract:
Orange Barred Sulphur

 

Plant:
  • Cassia Species (including Partridge Pea)

 

A Healthy Tree is a Happy Tree

Trees are our friends and, like any good friendship, trees need care.

Proper tree care is an investment. Well-cared for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can become a significant liability.

Pruning or removing trees, especially large ones can be dangerous work. Tree work should only be done by licensed and insured, certified tree companies. At the end of this section you will find recommendations for trustworthy and reliable arborists.

Create a Wildlife-Friendly Backyard

Attract native wildlife by planting native flowers, shrubs and trees that provide food like berries and seeds are that are pollinator friendly.

Native plants database

Enter your zip code into the Native Plants Database to find out about native plants in your area and which kind of birds they will attract.

 

Upcycle Dead Trees

Let dead trees decompose gently by providing food and shelter for backyard wildlife.


Landscape with pruned tree limbs which can be used as natural erosion barriers or even stepping stones.

 

By using the iNaturalist app you can report your tree sightings and connect to a social network of people who map and share observations of biodiversity around the globe. Become a citizen scientist and help scientists by entering every encounter--either with a common backyard weed to trees, shrubs and vines.

Recommended arborists

Click Above to See Contact Information for Arborists We Recommend