When you live in South Florida, where heat and wind, like those brought on by a hurricane, are a way of life, you want to make sure the trees you plant on your property can withstand an onslaught of intense heat and bad weather.
Here are two trees that will leave you worry-free come hurricane season. Plus, their ample shading will block the sun during the summer months, and help save on energy bills.
Exothea paniculata, more commonly referred to as Inkwood, is an excellent accent tree for commercial landscaping. It has dense foliage, and grows to 45 feet in South Florida.
The quercus virginiana, or Live Oak, is a large, sprawling, picturesque tree that provides large areas of deep shade. Growing to 40 to 60 feet, with a 60 to 100 foot spread, sinuously curved trunks and branches, and a trunk that can grow to more than six feet in diameter, the Live Oak is an impressive sight for any large-scale landscape.
These other two, while beautiful, have proven not to be able to withstand hurricane-force winds:
While casuarina equisetifolia L., or Australian Pine, is present at several county parks, it’s one of the worst trees within falling distance of your property. Its shallow roots cause it to topple over.
The quercus laurifolia, or Laurel Oak, is a fast growing shade tree. But it also has the distinction of falling down more than any other tree during the last few hurricanes. Noticeably weaker than its relative, the Live Oaks, the Laurel can reach 70 feet, making it quite dangerous within falling distance of your property.
For more information or ideas about which trees to include in your commercial landscaping, contact SFM Landscaping. Our team of experienced landscape professionals can help you decide. We will also assess your current plants to ensure none are diseased or stressed, and can withstand what might be another hot summer and active hurricane season.
