Ask the Forester
I am a professional forester with over 30 years of experience. I hold Certified Forester® and Forest Certification Auditor® designations from the Society of American Foresters.
I will post the answer to your question if I can provide a worthwhile response based on my personal knowledge and think the question is of general interest. If you provide your email address I will send you a personal response.
Please realize that this service is provided subject to my personal and professional obligations. If you need immediate assistance, please contact your state forestry department or city arborist.
I appreciate your participation and hope that you will visit Treeware again.
Charlie Houder
Recently asked questions
Is the red cedar native to Florida. I live in Tampa and must plant a replacement tree for a live oak that was removed. Would this be acceptable?
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and its subspecies, southern red cedar, are native throughout the southeast, including Florida. This species stands a wide variety of sites from moderately moist to very well drained. It is also salt tolerant so it grows well near the coast. It should grow well in most areas that support live oaks (Quercus virginiana). It should be planted in an area with full sun to partial shade and good drainage. A mature red cedar may reach heights of 40 to 50 feet and will have a much more upright form than a live oak. A good fact sheet for this species can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST327.
Is the crape myrtle native to Florida--specifically the Panhandle area?
Although the crape myrtle is extremely common in north Florida and across the southern U.S., it is not native. There are several species from Asia and northern Australia that share the name "crape myrtle." The species most commonly planted in our area is Lagerstroemia indica. According to the Wikipedia article, this species from China and Korea was introduced to Charleston, SC about 1790. Having been in this country so long it has become naturalized in some areas. A University of Florida fact sheet indicates that crepe myrtles can be planted in an arc that extends from Massachusetts, down the east coast, across the south, and north to Washington. Still, it is not considered to be an invasive exotic plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, so it remains a beautiful and responsible landscaping choice.
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