Species That Cause More Problems Than They Are Worth

Not every tree is worth keeping, and a fair share of what gets planted in Florida landscapes causes ongoing expense.

Camphor

Fast, large, and it seeds itself everywhere. Camphor grows into a big tree quickly with mediocre structure, and its seedlings appear across the whole neighbourhood. It is considered invasive in Florida for good reason.

Chinese tallow

Aggressively invasive, brittle, short-lived and prolific. It spreads into natural areas and displaces natives. There is no good argument for keeping one.

Brazilian pepper

Invasive, dense, difficult to eradicate, and it takes over disturbed ground and wetland edges. Removal is a real project because it resprouts vigorously from cut stumps.

Queen palm

Popular, and consistently disappointing here. Prone to nutrient deficiencies that require ongoing correction, susceptible to several diseases including lethal bronzing, and comparatively short-lived in this region.

Laurel oak

Worth a careful word, because it is native and it is genuinely useful — fast shade in a fraction of the time a live oak takes. The issue is lifespan: laurel oak commonly begins declining at fifty to seventy years, far earlier than live oak, and it develops internal decay while still looking full. A mature laurel oak over a house deserves assessment on a shorter interval than a live oak of the same size.

Fast-growing softwoods generally

Silver maple, some poplars, and similar species sold on growth rate. Fast growth means weak wood, and weak wood in a hurricane region is a poor trade.

What to plant instead

• Live oak. The best broadleaf tree in this region by a wide margin — strong, long-lived, salt tolerant, and excellent in wind when properly structured.
• Southern magnolia, for a smaller evergreen.
• Cabbage palm, the state tree and genuinely reliable on the coast.
• Southern red cedar, for coastal and windy sites.
• Bald cypress, for wet ground.

When to remove versus manage

An invasive species near natural areas is worth removing on principle. A queen palm you like can be maintained with proper nutrition, accepting the ongoing cost. A laurel oak in good condition is worth keeping and monitoring.

We will give you a straight answer on what a specific tree is worth on your specific property.