Time to Get Planting Trees

Crape Myrtle Trees

Time to Get Planting Trees

Each year, January is a natural time of new beginnings. Resolutions abound, holiday credit cards come due, new semesters kick off, and it’s time to get used to writing a new date on checks. But it’s also a perfect time for new growth in Northern Florida. It’s time to get planting—trees, that is!

From one man’s appreciation for foliage, Arbor Day—launched as a reminder of the beauty of trees in our communities—quickly became a tree-planting holiday celebrated across the nation. In the northern regions of the country Arbor Day is celebrated in April, but in regions like ours, it is celebrated when tree planting is best: January.

Our community is in ArborDay.org’s Hardiness Zone 9, which covers much of northern and central Florida, and is similar to the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast, and much of the Pacific coast of California and Oregon. When shopping for trees and shrubbery for your property—whether residential or commercial—it’s important to consider the climate zone and choose varieties that will thrive in our region and integrate well with your landscape.

Ornamental and Deciduous Trees

Many flowering, nut-bearing, and color-changing trees are ideal for our climate and can make your property stand out in the neighborhood. Consider some of these popular choices:

  • Crape Myrtle (many colors)
  • Dogwood
  • Redbud
  • Maple (many varieties)
  • Oak
  • Willow
  • Magnolia
  • Pecan
  • Pear

Evergreen Trees

As many of the deciduous trees will shed their leaves in the winter, evergreens keep the landscape looking full, and serve as windbreaks and natural boundaries (particularly for shrubs and hedges). Evergreens are available in a variety of categories:

  • Cedar (tall and slender, drought-resistant)
  • Cypress (tall and slender, ideal for privacy and wind barriers)
  • Holly (low-maintenance with year-round berries)
  • Tea Olive (fragrant white flowers and tall growth)
  • Juniper (low-maintenance and drought-tolerant)
  • Palm (the warm-climate classic)
  • Pine (a hardy all-around evergreen choice)
  • Privet (popular for hedges)

For varieties in each category that flourish in zone 9, consult your arborist.

Growing Healthy Foliage

Much of our local landscape was impacted by Hurricane Irma, so this planting season is a great time to refresh your property with new trees, and also care for existing trees and finish up any remaining cleanup and removal. We’ve been working hard around Northern Florida to clean up debris and care for damaged trees after the storms, and are excited to help you plant new trees and bring life back to your yard.

Check out some of the tree varieties above for ideas, and browse the ArborDay.org shop for popular choices and inspiration.

Then give us a call or get in touch to get started with your seasonal tree planting!

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