Florida Arbor Day

There’s an old adage that goes “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is right now.” That’s the idea and spirit that led to founding Arbor Day over 150 years ago. The United States and many other countries celebrate the holiday in April as part of spring. (It’s also founder J. Sterling Morton’s birthday) However, because of our semi-tropical weather, Florida celebrates the tree-centric holiday on the third Friday in January.

Millions of trees have been planted over the years. One hundred and fifty-five cities in Florida are designated Tree Cities. Tree Cities have to show a commitment to continued tree planting and care – including laws, celebrations, and a community forest program. Orlando is the oldest Tree City in Florida, at 44 years. But we’re proud to say Clearwater, St. Petersburg & Tampa all rank high on the list.

In addition to local celebrations, Florida residents often come together for the cause of conservation. In 2019, organizers worked to restore the Florida panhandle after Hurricane Michael ripped through the area. More than 2000 trees were distributed and planted by residents, restoring the ones they lost, and hopefully preserving the future.

Going Native

Urban planners and Arbor Day enthusiasts all agree that the best trees to plant in the Sunshine State are native ones. Invasive species litter too much of our landscape already. They often damage the soil and choke out the natural plant life. You should do a little extra irrigation the first few months after planting, but the beauty of most native trees is that they need less water to flourish.

On the Gulf Coast of Florida, these are some of the recommended trees to plant.

• Live and Laurel Oaks
• Southern Red Cedar
• Slash or Longleaf Pines
• Satinleaf
• Hercules club
• Jamaican caper
• Gumbo limbo
• Simpson's stopper
• Dahoon holly

Of course, you can always check out your local nursery to see what they recommend. When you join The Arbor Day Foundation with a donation, you have the option of getting ten starter trees for your yard. Or you can have them planted in your honor to help reforest areas in the U.S. or the tropical rainforests.

So, this Friday, consider planting a tree in your yard or look for ways to connect with your community to improve parks and beaches. It’s a great way to show stewardship of our planet and provide resources for future generations.

Here at Good News Pest Solutions, conservation & stewardship are two of our core values. That’s why we provide the most eco-friendly, safest pest solution options available. Safe for you, your family, your pets and the environment. We’d love to get you started on one of our premiere treatments. For more information, please give us a call!