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The Right Tree In The Right Place

The average life of a tree in the landscape is only 8 years due to poor design and planting techniques.

Size is a primary consideration in tree selection. Tree should fit in the available growing space without pruning. This is of primary concern under utility lines as the utility has the right-of-way. Because large trees give a high return in environmental benefits, plant large tree species whenever the space allows. Large trees can be structurally strong if attention is given to structural training while young. Homeowners often desire fast growing trees. However, fast growing species are typically more prone to insect, diseases and internal decay. Fast growing species typically have shorter lifespans.

Suitable routing space is a major limiting factor in tree growth. Poor soil conditions contributing 80% of tree health issues. Unfortunately, many homeowners in landscape design is failed to consider soil limitations in tree selection and planting. Impacts of poor soil conditions include:

– many trees failed to establish or slow to establish
– growth rates will be reduced
– tree vigor will be low, predisposing trees to insects, diseases, and other stress factors.
– Mature size will be smaller
– longevity will be shorter

Soil texture, structure, and tilth are also considerations in tree selection

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Palm Tree Nutrition

Proper fertilization is one of the most important factors in maintaining good palm health and appearance, especially on Florida’s nutrient-poor soils. Potassium and Magnesium are deficient in most Florida sandy soils.

There are a number of fertilizers that typically have 30% to 50% or less of their N and K in a controlled release form, the remainder being water soluble. This means that over half of the 5 to 8 lbs of fertilizer applied per tree is quickly solubilized. If moderate to heavy rainfall or irrigation occurs, this majority of the applied fertilizer is quickly leached through the soil and beyond the root zone of the palms. This fertilizer is wasted from the plant’s perspective, but does contribute to the pollution of our ground water. On the other hand, with minimal irrigation or rainfall, this solubilized fertilizer will remain in the root zone at concentrations high enough to cause soluble salt injury to many species of palms, other ornamentals, and adjacent turf grass.

It is important to understand that the soluble portion, most of the 5 to 8 lbs. per palm applied, is not doing much good. Under moderate to heavy leaching conditions it is quickly lost to the groundwater and is not available to the palm roots. Under minimal leaching, it releases toxic concentrations of salts that can injure the roots of many plants. Thus with water-soluble fertilizers, it is usually either too much or not enough nutrients for the palm. In either case the result is unattractive, deficient or tip-burned foliage.

I recommend 100% time or controlled release fertilizers. Sulfur-coated urea and Sulfur-coated potassium sulfate – N=nitrogen, P=phosphorus, K=potassium, Mg=magnesium, Ca=calcium, Mn=manganese, Fe=iron, B=boron, Cu=copper, Zn=zinc. These can easily be blended by any fertilizer company. Sulfur-coated fertilizers have a useful life of about 3 months under south/central Florida conditions. The sulfur coating also renders these fertilizers acidic in pH, a useful feature on our alkaline soils. Most of the fertilizer companies producing palm fertilizers for Florida have already formulated products that meet these criteria.
Of all the slow-release K sources tested, sulfur-coated potassium sulfate was found to be the most effective and economical. Prilled kieserite (a more slowly soluble form of magnesium sulfate than Epsom salts) is an effective and low-cost slow release form of Mg. Coated Mg products tend to release too slowly to be effective. Slow release B sources such as Granubor are less affected by leaching than the water soluble B sourcesoften used in landscape fertilizer blends. The only recommended Mn, Zn, and Cu sources are the sulfate forms of these elements. Since iron sulfate is rather ineffective on most Florida soils, granular chelated products such as Trachelene Fe are preferred for blending into palm maintenance fertilizers.

Palms, like other ornamental plants in a landscape, are all growing in the same soil with their root systems intermingled. Therefore they are all subject to the same nutrient deficiency symptoms associated with that soil. It is no secret that palm special fertilizers work well on other plants as well as palms. These plants, however, are often less salt tolerant than palms and cannot tolerate the concentration of fertilizers typically applied to palms. A much more logical approach to this problem is to fertilize the entire landscape, rather than individual trees. By broadcasting (use a rotary spreader) 100% coated fertilizers at a rate of 1.5 lbs. of fertilizer (not N) per 100 sq. ft. of landscape area (or at least tree canopy area) 4 times per year, you will be applying about the same amount of fertilizer per palm as before. However, you will be providing fertilizer to all of the palm’s roots, not just the small fraction near the trunk. Groundcovers and other ornamentals in the landscape will also benefit from this approach. Most of all, these 100% coated fertilizers will even out the peaks of toxicity and valleys of starvation that occur with current mostly water-soluble fertilizers.

Can the current palm special fertilizers be used more effectively? Certainly. By applying them more frequently at lower rates and by broadcasting rather than banding them, their effectiveness will be enhanced. These fertilizers should be broadcast at a rate of 3/4 to 1 lb. /100 sq. ft. of landscape area every month. This will dramatically improve plant quality, but will also cost more in terms of additional fertilizer applied (about twice as much) and the labor to apply it (about 3 times as much).

In conclusion, our current palm fertilization recommendations just aren’t working as well as they could and can cause injury under certain conditions. Palms and other landscape ornamentals can be much more effectively and efficiently fertilized by broadcasting a 2N-1P-3K-1Mg plus micronutrients fertilizer over the entire ornamental landscape area at a rate of 1.5 lbs/100 sq. ft. every 3 months. These fertilizers should have 100% of their N, K, and Mg in controlled release form to maximize their effectiveness to the plants and minimize their impact on the environment.

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Irrigation and Fertilization Maintenance Program

Irrigation And Fertilization Maintenance Program

One of the most critical elements to maintaining your landscape involves a properly functioning irrigation system and a fertilization program that meets the nutrient requirements of your landscape plants.

Fertilization and Irrigation needs for Florida lawns and landscapes please see link

How lawns and landscapes are fertilized and irrigated can have a direct impact on the natural environment.

The basic maintenance of Empire Zoysia lawns will be depended upon soil fertility, rainfall, full Sun and match precipitation irrigation.

Most people do not fertilize their own lawns. They either depend upon mother nature or a professional fertilization company to do the work. Well-maintained lawns are fertilized with the right amount and the right kind of fertilizer for that particular grass species. The fertilization schedule is based on the growing season. In order for the fertilization program to work, the right amount of moisture must be available in the turf root zone.

Under feeding or overfeeding leads to the buildup of thatch and higher stress levels on the turf species.

Water schedule stabilize growing seasons.

Healthy lawns smother weeds. Let’s use of herbicides.

Drip/micro irrigation maintenance aims at preserving emission uniformity and efficiency. This can be achieved by operating the system according to design pressures and flow rates while making regular field inspections, performing necessary preventative measures in a timely manner, and promptly remedying malfunctions.

Evaluate water quality! A laboratory analysis of the source (S) of water is critical.

Adjusting the filtration system is vital to the performance of the irrigation system

Bicarbonate is common in surface and groundwater. Edit pH of 7.5 or higher and bicarbonate concentrations of 2 mEq per liter, the bicarbonate is as susceptible to precipitation as calcium carbonate (lime).

The concentration and composition of dissolved salts in and irrigation water supply can affects soil properties, ultimately affecting growth habit and health of plants.

Development of Irrigation and Fertilization Programs – please see link

MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FLORIDA-FRIENDLY FERTILIZER USE ON URBAN LANDSCAPES – please see link

Nutrient and irrigation management to reduce nonpoint source pollution of surface and ground waters in Florida urban landscapes

Frequently Asked Questions about Landscape Irrigation – please see link

Irrigating with Reclaimed Water

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Choosing The Right Palms For Your Landscape

Stand Of Palm Trees

When choosing a palm for your landscape, the following considerations should be taken into account:

– Is the Palm being planted for a windbreak or a screen (clumping Palm)?
– Is the Palm being planted for a focal point?
– Does the planting spacing location lend itself to a large, medium, or small Palm?
– Are they overhead or below ground utilities nearby?
– Is the site very sunny or shady, a wind corridor or protected
– How cold is the site? What is the hardiness zone?
– Is the soil deep, fertile, and well drained, or is it shallow, compacted, and infertile?
– Does the Palm have large fruits or fronds that need to be removed regularly to reduce the possibility of injury or damage to – property?

Most palms are grown in containers at nurseries, although larger specimens may be field grown. Choose a healthy Palm for the best results in your landscape. Always purchase from a reputable garden center or nursery.
A high quality Palm has a properly sized root ball for the species and trunk diameter. A trunk free of mechanical wounds is an important consideration when choosing a quality Palm. It is important that you inspect the Palm for wounds from incorrect pruning and that there is a uniform trunk diameter consistent with the species natural characteristics. If the trunk sections are of varying diameter, such as an hourglass or small diameter below the terminal bud (also known as penciling); these are important reasons not to purchase a palm with these inferior characteristics.

When planting palms it is important to tie the fronds and limit excessive movement of the Palm head to protect the terminal bud during transport and planting. Remove dead or dying fronds prior to planting. The planting all should be approximately 18 inches (46 cm) wider than the root ball to loosens surrounding soil. It is important to plant the Palm with the top of the root initiation zone about even with the soil surface. The original depth may have been too deep in the nursery. Backfill the planting hole with the original soil where possible.

Here is a list of suitable palms for the Manatee/Sarasota area:

Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiata)

Native to the Keys. Maximum height 30 ft. Fan-like leaves are 3 ft long and yellowish-green.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Native to the Keys.
Dwarf palm with creeping stem 8 ft long; sometimes grows erect to height of 20 ft. Fan-shaped leaves are 4 ft across. Flowers are fragrant, small, white, and densely massed in elongated plume-like clusters. Fruit is black and oblong.

Florida Royal Palm (Roystonea elata)

Native to Florida.Maximum height is 100 ft. Feather-shaped leaves are dark green and 15 ft long. Trunk is smooth, cylindrical, light gray, and topped by a sleek, green crownshaft. Flowers are whitish-yellow and hang in clusters; Fruit is dark purple.

Cuban Royal Palm (Roystonea regia)

Not native. Maximum height is 70 ft. Feather-shaped leaves are dark green and 10 ft long. Trunk is similar to the Florida Royal Palm. The inflorescence is shorter and wider than the Florida Royal, and the fruit is oval.

Bismarck (Bismarckia nobilis)
Not native. Maximum height 60 ft. One of the most beautiful and desirable fan palms in the Keys landscape, although it can appear out of scale with small houses. It is bold, formal, and massive.

Buccaneer Palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii)
Native to the Keys. Maximum height 10 ft. One of the most durable palms for seaside planting. Growth is slow, and no two trees look alike.

Arikury Palm (Syagrus schizophylla) Not native.
Maximum height 15 ft. Grows well in shade and indoors. Flower is white, and fruit is orange.

Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata)
Not native. Maximum height 30 ft. The name comes from the bushy appearance of the leaves. Commonly has problems with manganese and zinc deficiency.

Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
Native to the Keys. Height to 40′. Used as a framing tree, in palm groupings, as a free-standing specimen, patio tree, or on roadside. Grows slowly and requires little maintenance after establishment. The native cabbage palm cannot be excelled. It is Florida’s state tree. Tolerant to different light conditions, salt, and alkaline soil.

Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)
Native to the Keys. Maximum height 6 ft. Good specimen plant in partial shade.

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How long can trees and palms survive flooding and heavy winds before injury results?

Florida Trees and Storm Damage

As you might expect, this has become an all too frequent question lately as torrential rains and bloated rivers continue to plague many regions in Florida. Fortunately for most trees and palms, the prospect for survival and continued growth is good. Even flood-sensitive trees and palms will escape injury if flood waters recede in seven days or less. But, if flood waters cover roots of sensitive trees for longer periods, injury symptoms such as leaf chlorosis (yellowing), downward curling of leaves, leaf drop, and branch dieback may occur. And in a few extreme cases, entire trees may die.

Which palms are tolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Paurotis Palm/Everglades Palm
– Florida Thatch Palm
– Coconut Palm
– Cabbage Palm
– Saw Palmetto
– Royal Palm

Which palms are intolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Queen Palm
– Washington Fan Palm

Which trees are tolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Pond and Bald Cypress
– Live Oak
– Gumbo Limbo
– Seagrape
– Strangler Fig
– Cocoplum
– Mastic
– Dahoon Holly
– Pond Apple
– Black Ironwood
– Stoppers
– Myrsine
– Buttonwood
– Red Bay
– Jamaican Caper

Which trees are intolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Australian Pine
– Yellow Tabebuia
– Norfolk Island Pine
– Black Olive
– Weeping Fig
– Carrotwood
– Royal Poinciana
– Silk Oak
– Java Plum
– Hong Kong Orchid
– Jacaranda
– Earleaf Acacia
– Eucalyptus
– Javanese Bishopwood

Researchers have found these species suffer severe injury or die if flood waters persist over their roots for one month or less.

Flood waters will eventually recede but soils will undoubtedly remain wet for a long time. Saturated, poorly-drained soils may pose the greatest hazard for trees and palms, particularly if this waterlogged condition persists for an extended period. If oxygen cannot penetrate to roots, trees may exhibit symptoms associated with flooding. Warm, dry weather is the only cure for this chronic and potentially deadly soil condition. Another hidden danger resulting from flooding is the deposition of sediment over tree roots. Silt and sand deposited to a depth greater than 3 inches also may impede movement of oxygen to tree roots, especially on small or newly-planted trees. When possible sediment should be removed.

Except in cases where flood waters persist for months or where trees and palms have been injured by the sheer force of rushing water, most trees experiencing flood conditions should survive. If flood- sensitive species begin to show flood damage symptoms, recovery may begin once soil oxygen levels return to a more favorable state. During this recovery period it is important that any additional stresses be eliminated. In addition, if dead or dying branches are noticed in the tree crown, they should be removed as quickly as possible. And beware of so-called “tree experts” recommending rescue treatments for affected trees. Fertilization is not a cure or remedy for root injury caused by flooding! Finally, avoid planting sensitive species in flood-prone areas in the event of future flooding events.

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Zoysia turf in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Zoysia turf in Sarasota

Zoysia turf species were introduced into the United States from Asia and provide attractive turf throughout much of the United States. In recent years, dramatic improvements in Zoysia have been made by turf grass breeders. These improvements include insect resistance, accelerated establishment, and overall performance. Zoysia has been bred to adapt to a variety of soil types and have good tolerance to shade, salt, and traffic. They provide an extremely dense sod that resist weed invasion, that certain pest can be problematic. Zoysia maintenance is very different from other Florida lawn grasses. When improper maintenance practices are followed, undesirable results are likely to occur.

Empire Zoysia is one of the most popular Zoysia turf species in our area. It has a very dense growth habit and maintains a nice green color throughout the year. Empire has performed well in sandy and clay soil types with aggressive growth from it stolons and rhizomes.

Proper fertilization is very important for sustaining a healthy lawn. Empire Zoysia responds better to a “spoon-feeding” fertilizer regimen (smaller quantities applied more frequently) rather than supplying large quantities infrequently. Avoid apply nitrogen fertilizer simply to promote green color. Instead, monitor growth and apply only when the growth rate has dramatically declined. Potassium nutrition also is important and should be applied at rates equal to nitrogen. During excessively rainy periods, potassium may need to be applied more frequently due to its leaching ability.

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Recommended Landscape Maintenance before Hurricane Season Starts

It is recommended that landscape maintenance on trees and palms should be done throughout the year. This includes routine trimming of trees and palms as well as removal of dead limbs and those located too close to the fence, house or a utility line.

Storm Wise Hurricane Kit:

– Garden Hose – in the event you irrigation system is not working due to a power outage
– Pruning Tools
– Ladder
– Tree Stakes/Rebar
– Biodegradable Rope or Strapping Cloth
– Come-along Tool to Write Couple Trees and Shrubs
– Shovel
– Burlap or Blankets to protect expose root balls if you’re unable to securely your landscape immediately; do not use plastic as it – will trap heat
– Sharpened, fueled, gas powered chainsaw
– Hearing and Eye Protection
– Bug Spray and Sunscreen

What to Expect:

Category ONE hurricane:
– winds 74 to 95 mph
– storm surge generally 4 to 5 feet above normal
– newly planted trees may be toppled
– some coastal and in land flooding possible

Category TWO Hurricane:
– winds 96 to 110 mph
– storm surge generally 6 to 8 feet above normal
– considerable damage to storm intolerant species
– coastal and in land flooding possible

Category THREE Hurricane:
– Winds 111 to 130 mph
– storm surge generally 9 to 12 feet above normal
– some large trees blown down
– trees and shrubs growing in saturated soils are more likely to be blown over
– coastal and in land flooding probable

Category FOUR Hurricane:
– winds 131 to 155 mph
– storm surge generally 13 to 18 feet above normal
– many trees and shrubs sustained extensive damage
– large trees uprooted and blown down
– tree crowns are twisted
– coastal and in land flooding probable

Periodically check your landscape throughout the year, cutting back trees and weak branches that could contact buildings. Assess the shape of your trees and shrubs and envision what they should look like before you begin pruning.
Regardless of the species, you should regularly thin foliage to that when can flow freely through the branches of the trees and shrubs, decreasing the chance that they will be uprooted in strong winds. The selective pruning routine should start when the tree is young in order to encourage a well-shaped, wind hardy form.

In addition to the canopy, it is also important to keep the root system of your trees healthy to prevent unnecessary storm damage. Overwatering and over fertilization can lead to weak growth and shallow root systems that easily “pop-up” in wind events, especially if the soil is saturated. Try and encourage your trees, shrubs and palms to develop a deep root system.

Avoid cutting tree roots during construction such as swimming for installation or sidewalk replacement, as it will be stabilize the tree in a high wind event.

Periodically check your swales and drainage systems to ensure that there are not blockages to impede water from flowing away from your property.

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Plan your landscape with storms in mind

Florida Trees and Storm Damage

Living in Florida means that you live with hurricanes. As you plan and design your landscape, keep in mind that there is no way to completely protect your landscape from storms. However, there are some things you can do to minimize the damage if a storm strikes.

Florida Trees and Storm Damage
Right place, right tree principle is key to success! Recent post storm evidence indicates that native trees and shrubs with even spaced, spreading branches, low centers of gravity and strong, deep penetrating root systems fare best in hurricane force winds. Species like Seagrape and gumbo limbo quickly shed their leaves in hurricane force winds, but the structures of these even bronze trees tend to remain intact, and the foliage quickly regrows after a storm. Native palm such as cabbage and Thatch Palms are also highly adapted to strong winds and are known to survive virtually unscathed, even in some of the hardest hit areas of Florida.

In addition to wind tolerance, flood tolerance and local storm surge potential should also be taken into consideration. If your neighborhood is prone to inland flooding or portions of your yard collect water during heavy periods of rain, plan your landscape with this in mind and choose flood tolerant species. Bald Cypress, Red Maple and Pond Apple are able to survive a wide range of water conditions. Storm surge brings large amounts of saltwater inland. The saltwater can have a major impact on landscape plants. There are many salt tolerant species that can be used to minimize post storm sold mortality