Florida Tree Guide

Your landscaping should make a fantastic first impression on anyone who visits your property. And since trees are one of the largest and most noticeable landscaping features, it’s important to choose the right ones for your Florida yard.

Florida’s unique climate means not every tree will thrive here, so picking the right trees can feel overwhelming. Plus, you need to think about how big the trees will get, how much maintenance they need, and whether they’ll handle storms.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make sense of it all.

Trees Unique to Florida

The warm climate and rich soil here create the perfect growing conditions for many beautiful trees. Native and Florida-friendly trees are your best bet because they’re already adapted to our weather, soil, and even our hurricane seasons.

And at Grasshoppers, we help homeowners plant and care for any tree – not just the ones in this guide.

Shade (Canopy) Trees

The right canopy trees can lower the temperature around your home, reduce your energy bills, and create a comfortable outdoor living space.

• Live Oak: These majestic trees are known for their wide, spreading branches that create massive amounts of shade. Just keep in mind they need plenty of space. These trees can spread 60 to 80 feet wide!
• Southern Magnolia: The southern magnolia offers the best of both worlds: beautiful shade and stunning flowers. They’re perfect for homeowners who want shade without sacrificing beauty.
• West Indian Mahogany: If you’re in South Florida, the West Indian mahogany is an excellent choice for shade tree landscaping. Plus, they’re wind-resistant, which is always a bonus during storm season.
• Gumbo Limbo: Also called the “tourist tree” because its peeling red bark looks like sunburned skin, the gumbo limbo is a fantastic Florida native. This tree is incredibly tough, and their unique appearance also adds character to any landscape.
• Laurel Oak: Laurel oaks are popular throughout Central Florida because they grow fast and provide plenty of shade. Regular tree care and trimming from certified arborists can help keep them healthy and safe.
  

Fruit Trees

Imagine walking into your backyard and picking fresh oranges, mangos, or avocados right off the tree. Fruit tree landscaping is one of the most rewarding ways to enhance your Florida property.

• Citrus (orange, lemon, lime): Citrus trees are a Florida staple. Orange, lemon, and lime trees all thrive in our climate and produce fruit that tastes far better than anything you’ll find in stores. One thing to know: citrus trees need protection from frost and require some maintenance to stay healthy. Citrus greening disease is also a concern in Florida, so working with tree care professionals who understand these challenges is important.
• Mango: Mango trees are perfect for South and Central Florida homeowners who want a tropical feel. Beyond the harvest, their dense foliage provides shade, and their spreading branches create a beautiful silhouette.
• Avocado: Florida-friendly varieties like ‘Brogdon’ and ‘Lula’ handle our humidity and produce creamy, delicious fruit. Once established, they’re fairly low-maintenance and can produce fruit for decades.
• Guava: Guava trees are smaller than mangos or avocados, making them perfect for tighter spaces. Use guava trees in mixed plantings, as border accents, or as standalone features in your fruit tree landscaping design.
  

Ornamental (Flowering) Trees

Want to add a pop of color to your yard? Ornamental trees are the way to go. Many of these flowering trees are relatively small, so they fit well in yards of all sizes.

• Crape Myrtle: Crape myrtles are one of the most popular ornamental trees for landscaping in Florida, and for good reason. They bloom in vibrant shades of pink, purple, red, and white from summer through fall, when many other trees have finished flowering.
• Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia): If you want a show-stopping spring display, look no further than the tabebuia, also known as the trumpet tree. They’re drought-tolerant once established and handle Florida’s sandy soil well.
• Jacaranda: Jacarandas produce clouds of gorgeous purple-blue flowers in spring that are absolutely breathtaking. They make excellent shade trees while also providing stunning seasonal color.
• Frangipani (Plumeria): These small trees (usually 15 to 25 feet tall) produce intensely fragrant flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and red. They’re perfect for poolside plantings, patios, and small-space ornamental tree landscaping.
  

Privacy Trees

Tired of seeing your neighbors every time you step outside? Unlike fences, privacy trees look better over time and can increase your property value.

• Evergreens: Evergreen trees are the go-to choice for privacy because they keep their leaves year-round. In Florida, you have options beyond the typical northern pines and spruces.
• Podocarpus: Podocarpus can be grown as a hedge or allowed to mature into a 40-foot tree. This tree is also salt-tolerant, drought-resistant, and easy to shape with regular trimming.
• Clusia: This tree has thick, leathery leaves and a dense growth habit. It works great as a hedge or standalone specimen, and its low-maintenance nature makes it perfect for busy homeowners.
• Southern Red Cedar: The southern red cedar is a native Florida tree that provides excellent privacy with its dense, column-like form. This tree is extremely tough, handling drought, salt, poor soil, and hurricane winds.
  

Palm Trees

No Florida tree guide would be complete without palm tree landscaping. Palms come in all sizes, from small accent plants to towering specimens.

Palm trees in landscaping require different care than other trees. Regular palm tree trimming keeps them healthy and prevents dead fronds from becoming hazards during storms. 

Read more in our palm tree guide here.

Putting it All Together for Your Landscape

From palm tree landscaping to fruit tree landscaping ideas to storm preparation, Grasshoppers tree professionals handle it all. Our team can help you:

• Choose the right trees for your property.
• Properly plant and install new trees.
• Trim and maintain existing trees for health and safety.
• Diagnose and treat tree diseases.
• Remove hazardous or unwanted trees.
• Prepare your landscape for hurricane season.

Your Tree Experts

Tree care may seem simple, but there are actually many things to keep track of, from identifying disease to monitoring root systems.

Grasshoppers’ ISA-certified arborists have decades of Florida-specific experience and understand the unique challenges of maintaining trees in our climate. Whether you need to remove an unstable tree or want to make sure your landscaping is always in great condition, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to transform your landscape with beautiful Florida trees? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our tree care experts.

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