Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

The Eastern Red Cedar is one of the most widespread confierous evergreens in the Eastern US, growing over most of the Eastern half of the country. This tree in some areas is considered a weed, though does has a lot of benefits and is essential for the environment. The berry like cones produce food for wildlife (especially birds), and since they are evergreen help stop erosion in disturbed/poor sites. These trees typically germinate in open sunny areas where drainage is excellent. Even in areas with heavy clay slopes dry very quickly so this Juniper will take over like a weed. I have seen them growing on the edge of limestone and rock in Southern Indiana and Kentucky and they essentially help prevent erosion as they can grow in the driest and more difficult soils. Surprisingly enough they can also tolerate moist soils, but will rot in wet soils. Evergreen trees provide energy to the soil in wintertime that deciduous trees don't, this is the main reason evergreens are so great at erosion control especially on hilly or rocky sites. They also make a great screening tree in open sites as well. Many cultivars exist for ornamental purposes in landscaping. Consider planting a native Eastern Red Cedar to help the planet!

 

Bird eating Juniper berries

 

Planted as a screen

 

Mature speciemen

 

Mature speciemens at a cemetery

 

#1 Wild speciemens to help soil and erosion on slope

 

#2

 

Cultivar 'Taylor' is an upright form similar to Italian Cypress. Grows 30' tall by only 3' wide at maturity.

 

Cultivar 'Canaerti' has branches growing outward in all directions to have a wildly look

 

Cultivar 'Grey Owl' is a true dwarf form. It is a low groundcover like shrub that has greyish/blue foliage that matures to 2' tall by 6' wide.

 

Native Range including southern variety that goes down though Central Florida, along part of the East Coast and over to Eastern Texas.

Types of Deciduous Trees in Florida

 

 (Red Maple Trees amongst Palm Trees)

It may surprise me you that there are a lot of deciduous trees grown and native to Florida. While most deciduous tree are only found in north Florida where freezes are present during Winter months, but quite a few are grown through Southern Florida as well mostly due to the fact that it gets "cool" in Winter and isn't optimal for growth so plants go into brief dormant state.

1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Red Maple is recognized as the most widely distributed Deciduous tree in North America ranging from Southern Canada, to Minnesota, over to Maine, and all the way down to Southern Florida to the Everglades. Hardy in USDA Zones 3-10. Yes, this Maple tree can be grown in Toronto to Miami. The dormant state is extremely brief in South Florida, only a couple weeks. Leaves turn red around Christmas. Tree goes bare around the New Years, and gets flowers by the middle of January, then foliated by the end of January. There is a cultivar developed from wild trees in Florida better adapted to high heat and humidity with mild winter of Florida. This cultivar is called 'Florida Flame'. A tree grown in Michigan would die if it was brought to Florida, as the trees are adapted to the regions they grow in. Interestingly enough the Florida Flame variety has been known to grow into USDA Zone 5/6, but dies in zones 3-4 as it originates from much warmer Florida wild Red Maples



2. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Bald Cypress also has a vast native range from Southern Indiana, to New York down to South Florida. It is the most famous tree growing straight in standing water in the Everglades. It is a Conifer related to Pine but drops it's needles in the fall. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-11. Bald Cypress unlike Red Maple has a longer dormancy, and won't regrow new foliage until nights are hot. Even if it's 80°F in February the nights are still chilly so the tree stays bare untill true Summer arrives (usually by early-mid March in Florida) when nights are constantly near or above 60°F. Landscaped all the way into Minnesota and Canada with no problems with the cold.


3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.)

Native to Sub-Tropical regions in Asia, this tree is adored in the Southern states with it's show of flowers that cover the tree all summer long adding a tropical ambiance. Hardy in USDA Zones 7-10 (some varieties into zone 6). While this tree doesn't grow in Southern Florida, it is grown through parts of Center Florida. Crape Myrtles also foliate when temps get really warm consist



4. Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgum has a vast native range from South Central Indiana to New York City down to North Central Florida. Beautiful Maple like leaves that turn not just one color but range from being yellow to orange to Red to all of the above.


 
5.  Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)

Pignut Hickory has a vast native range expanding over much of the Eastern Half if the US. Native through Central Florida. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-9 and into 10a, but not further South. Pignuts provide essentially food for wildlife. Fast growing and makes an excellent shade tree!



This list could go on and on, but I listed my top 5. There are so many deciduous tree native and landscaped to Florida. Hope you all found it very useful! Stay safe y'all! 🌳


Some Sources:

1. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taxodium-distichum/
2.https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lagerstroemia-indica/
3. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/liquidambar-styraciflua/
4. https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/real_estate/fall-foliage-and-pruning-logic-in-florida/article_ef9cb6a2-b313-11e8-86f9-63b83b04260f.html
5. http://www.wildsouthflorida.com/red,maple.html#.XmMaoWlOkwA
6. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2018/06/28/the-florida-flame-red-maple-makes-a-colorful-addition-to-the-landscape/

4 Best Palm Trees as Low Maintenance Houseplants

1. Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low light to high light. Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. So watering is very minimal. This is a fan Palm that is usually bush like in nature. Always grown as a clump. Slow growing, but after many many years will grow up to 15' tall.

2. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low light to high light. Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. Water is very minimal. Grows as a clump or a single trunk. This dwarf Palm only mature to 6'-8' tall.

3. Kentia Palm (Howea fosteriana)


Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low light to high light. Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. Watering is very minimal. Usually grown as a clump, but can be attractive as a single stem. Extremely slow growing, but will eventually reach 60' outdoors, but likely stay less than 15' indoors after several decades. Unfortunately is very difficult to find in nurseries due to high demand and extremely slow propagation. Usually very expensive if you do find one, but I highly recommend getting it if you see one!

4. Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Extremely low maintenance. Grows in low to medium light. Foliage scorches in direct sunlight. Allow soil to dry between waterings, but let soil become bone dry, or stay dry. Always sold as clump, usually a small plant less than 2' in size most of the time several inches high. Resembles a small Fern due to compact dwarf size. May eventually reach 5' after many years. After 50 years of growth outdoors they can reach 10'-15'. Very common, and usually very cheap. Makes a perfect addition to your home or office!





 *Photos in order with numbered plants