Our Florida climate allows us to enjoy growing many ornamental and functional plants in our yards and gardens. Some of the most successful are the many varieties of fruit that thrive here. These include banana, pineapple, blueberry, apple, mango, starfruit, peach, papaya, avocado, guava and pomegranate among many others. With cooler weather on the way be advised that some fruit trees like apples, peaches, pears, plums, etc., need a certain amount of winter dormancy (resting phase) to develop their leaves and fruit buds for the coming year. This dormancy period is triggered by colder weather and shorter days, and the tree will stay at rest until it has just the amount of cold weather it needs. Fruit tree growers measure this period in terms called "chilling units" or "chill hours".
Chill hours will vary depending on which part of the state you live in. The number of annual chill hours experienced in our state during a normal year decreases as we move east and south. North central Florida has about 400 to 500 chilling hours; central Florida, 300 to 400; south central Florida, 200 to 300; and the southern part of the state, 50 to 100.Of course the further south you go in Florida the warmer the weather stays. The lack of cold is why such fruits as apples and blueberries do not grow well in South Florida, just as the colder temperatures in the Panhandle explains why exotic fruits do not perform well in Northwest Florida.
In general dwarf fruit trees mature earlier than full sized ones and some can bear fruit in their first year. Florida is a great place to grow bananas and they should produce fruit in about a year and a half. Bananas grow very fast and make a pretty good natural barrier if planted in long rows. They are very invasive though and will multiply very quickly. If space is not an issue they should be great producers in our climate.As you plant it can be beneficial to mix up the species rather than keeping them together in blocks of the same type. That makes it harder for pests to jump from tree to tree. Running chickens through your plants on a regular basis also feeds the trees and can also knock back potential pest problems.
With over 30 years of experience, Zimmerman Tree Service is a full service organization providing shade, fruit and ornamental tree care as well as insect, disease and fertilization programs. As a leader in tree care, Zimmerman Tree Service’s unique approach of delivering a wide range of arboriculture services conveniently eliminates the time and expense of searching for and experimenting with different companies.
If you have trees on your property, and you most likely do, you will eventually need the services of an arborist. An arborist is much more than just a "tree man". An arborist, by definition, is an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly.Arborists make a career of caring for trees in urban and suburban landscapes. They work for companies commonly referred to as tree experts, tree services, tree care, arborists, tree specialists, and others. Professional arborists have a minimum of three years experience in some aspect of tree care and have passed an exam developed by an international panel of experts. The exam extensively covers every aspect of tree care and the individuals must have an acceptable level of knowledge in all areas of arboriculture.
Well cared for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should only be done by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.Just like a person, trees need proper care and nutrients to stay healthy. An arborist provides this kind of care. While trees provide a lot of benefits to people, if left untouched they could cause damage. They may overgrow onto power lines or people's homes. They could also cause damage in severe weather which can lead to power outages and harmful collapses.
Arborists can also assess trees to determine the health, structure, safety or feasibility within a landscape and in proximity to humans. Modern arboriculture has progressed in technology and sophistication from practices of the past. Many current practices are based on knowledge gained through recent research.
Certified arborists must also continue their education to maintain their certification. Therefore, they should be up-to-date on the latest techniques in arboriculture. At Zimmerman Tree Service our objective is to continually provide superior arboriculture services that add value to trees, prepare them for storm season and enhance their overall health and beauty. We focus on servicing our customers to the fullest extent to ensure their satisfaction.
At this time of year your trees have a message for you, even though you might think they cannot speak. To "hear" what they have to say all you have to do is look at them. Do they look well-cared for and healthy? Fall is the ideal time for tree trimming, tree pruning and other forms of tree maintenance. If possible, you should start with tree maintenance while your trees are still young.
In Florida as in all places you are less likely to sustain damage to your trees and property when your trees are well-groomed. This is especially true when your trees are in close proximity to driveways, walkways, power lines and other buildings. Regular tree trimming also prevents branches from reaching the roof of your home. This is important because tree branches on the roof can cause mold and other fungi to develop. Errant branches can dislodge roofing tiles leading to leakage and rot damage to the lumber underneath.
It could be that your trees are doubling as an always-open cafeteria for some of our Florida wildlife. If you have a problem with various nibblers gnawing on your trees, trimming off low branches can cut off their access. In some circumstances, wild animals can cause extensive damage to trees, as well as to lawns and gardens. Wildlife damage problems can occur throughout the year, but the fall and winter months are times when food supplies and cover may become more limited for many wildlife species, causing them to find your home or landscape an attractive place to call home.
Cooler weather is here and winter is coming. Start preparing now for the cold temperatures. Any sort of extreme weather condition may pose a higher risk of stress for your trees, so cable, brace and prune them before the more significant cold weather comes. Pruning in fall can be easier because most trees have little to no leaves, exposing the structure underneath. If your tree has weakened or has broken or rotting branches, it may not be strong enough to withstand the chilly winds and rains of wintertime.
Cabling and bracing provide structural support for trees. Cabling or bracing trees may correct certain problems and make the trees reasonably safe.The three main purposes for using structural support are:1. Pro-active prevention of problems by providing structural support for healthy trees.2. Mitigation to reduce the risk of a hazard from a tree with a potential problem.3. Restoration to support a damaged tree.
Fall is here and it is a season of many changes. The weather turns cooler, the nights get longer and the leaves change color. This is a time when some things slow down. As Halloween gets closer, some night-flying blood-suckers actually get less active. In this case we mean those six-legged vampires better known as mosquitoes.
Until we have had our first frost and temperatures consistently stay below 55, we may still see those pesky mosquitoes buzzing around. In the autumn months after mating, male mosquitoes die. But female mosquitoes actually hibernate. They can survive the winter months. In the spring when the weather warms up, they seek blood to feed on so they can lay their eggs. All mosquito larvae (eggs) require water, even in winter, and mosquito larvae can last years. As the water temperature drops, it basically creates a dormant stage in the mosquito larvae called diapause, which stops further development. Development resumes when the water warms again. Mosquitoes are quite the survival experts.
“Mosquitoes that tolerate the dry and cooler fall weather tend to be the mosquitoes that transmit disease, like West Nile virus,” says researcher Lyric Bartholomay, an Iowa State University assistant professor who tracks mosquitoes; “Mosquitoes are the most important disease vectors.” The insect transmits a range of illnesses that can be deadly to humans, including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, LaCrosse encephalitis, dengue fever, and of course the Zika virus.
We experience warmer and more humid conditions here in the Sunshine State. The mosquito season in Florida will vary depending on which part of the state you are located in. The cooler northern portion normally does not begin to experience mosquito activity until early March, while South Florida may see mosquitoes in early February. The tropical South Florida climate is especially conducive to the mosquito lifestyle, since mosquitoes are attracted to moisture and humidity for breeding and laying eggs.
During the mosquito off-season make your yard less welcoming to them. Ensure your garden is free of any breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Remove all standing water from your yard and any other objects, junk or gardening equipment that can collect rainwater. Clean up any leaves which may have fallen to reduce the dark, damp environments they create. Leaves also gather in gutters and on flat shed roofs, so it is important to safely get up and clear them out. Piles of leaves in the garden are not only unsightly, they are also a perfect home for other unwanted bugs and insects.
Our technicians are trained to provide superior service that results in a significant decline in mosquito populations. We use proven products to provide long-lasting mosquito control, which means we can make fewer visits to your home. With our service, your family can spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time worrying about the nuisance of mosquitoes.
