Landscape Mulching In Florida

Mulches are a vital part of the many-faceted southern landscape. They help our plants as they hold moisture in the soil, help prevent weed growth, inhibit certain soil-borne foliar diseases, and insulate the roots of plants from temperature extremes during summer and winter. Plants look more attractive with mulch at their base. Mulch also provides a buffer zone between the turf and woody ornamental plants and helps prevent trunk injury from weed trimmers and lawn mowers.

As popular as they are in contemporary landscapes, mulches are not a new concept. For as long as trees have grown in forests, leaves and needles have fallen to the ground, matted together, and formed a natural protective layer over the soil. The English word mulch is probably derived from the German word molsch, meaning soft, beginning to decay. It no doubt referred to early gardeners' use of straw, leaves, and loose earth spread on the ground to protect the roots of newly planted trees and shrubs. The presence of this ground level buffer layer no doubt discouraged digging by animals above ground that were hungry for tender roots.

Many different natural and synthetic mulches are available today, but all perform at least three basic functions: They reduce soil water losses, suppress weeds and protect against temperature extremes. In one study comparing various mulch materials with bare soil, soil moisture percentages in mulched plots were approximately twice as high, summer soil temperatures were reduced by 8 to 13 degrees, and the average amount of time required to remove weeds was reduced by two-thirds. The benefits for the healthy growth of plants is evident in these results.

The best mulch is organic, fine-textured and non-matting. Examples include pine needles (commonly called pine straw in the south), cypress shavings, hardwood chips, and pine bark mini-nuggets. Pecan hulls, a by-product of the pecan industry, are used successfully as mulch in south Georgia and North Florida. Fall leaves are an excellent and economical mulch and add valuable humus back to the soil as they decompose. It should be noted that grass clippings are not a good source of mulch because they tend to mat down and inhibit the flow of water and nutrients into the soil. They also may introduce plant pest seeds and weeds into ornamental plantings. Inorganic mulches such as rock, gravel and marble are good soil insulators. However these absorb and re-radiate heat in the landscape, increasing water loss from plants. Limit their use to shady areas of the landscape for best results. Apply mulches measuring 3 to 5 inches deep in an area extending beyond the canopy of the plant if possible. You need to spread the mulch in this manner as a small ring of mulch around the trunk provides little benefit to the plant. Organic mulches such as pine straw or pine bark break down and decompose over time and should be replenished at least once a year.

Geo-textile (landscape fabric) can be used instead of plastic film under mulch. The landscape fabric allows water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the roots of plants and prevents the growth of some weeds. For best results, install landscape fabrics on weed-free ground and avoid getting soil on top of the fabric. Avoid placing plastic film under mulches as it prevents water, nutrients and oxygen from reaching the roots of the plant. The plastic can kill your plants in the same way it inhibits the growth of unwanted weeds.
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Canopy Reduction In South Florida

A beautiful tree canopy beautifies your entire property. Canopy trees are able to photosynthesize relatively rapidly due to abundant light. The canopy layer provides protection from strong winds and storms, while also intercepting sunlight and precipitation, leading to a relatively sparsely vegetated understory layer. This may make landscaping beneath tree canopies more of a challenge as plants must be chosen which thrive in lower sunlight conditions.

Improving your yard's tree canopy (i.e. tree cover) can have numerous benefits, from reducing summer peak temperatures to improving the overall appearance of your landscape. Shade trees are a welcome addition to most South Florida yards. They not only make beautiful landscape specimens, they also help cut down on high summer power bills. Planting a tree on the South or West side of your property helps keep the hottest sun off the house.

 Some of South Florida's most beautiful shade trees are deciduous. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter. If you're planting a shade tree for energy-saving, a deciduous tree is a good choice. The leaves in warm weather protect your home from blazing sun. In winter, when the tree is bare, sunlight can get through the branches to help heat your home. It is a win-win tree canopy choice.

Trees that keep their leaves year round can provide a sheltering canopy to protect plants below from frost. They also act as a natural covering to keep winter temperatures a few degrees warmer in the area below them. Houses without these trees can suffer significant frost damage during freeze warnings while the houses right next to them collect little to no frost on their greenery.

 Once a tree has grown to a large size, reduction pruning may require removing branches with large diameters. This can wound trees, making the trees at risk for cracks and decay. Undesired new development can also sprout out of the cut branches. You should try to reduce tree size while you can maintain the form of the tree and minimize regrowth, before the tree becomes too large for the area in which the tree is growing.

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Palm Beach County: 561-968-1045

Including: Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen Ridge, Greenacres, Gulf Stream,Haverhill, Highland Beach, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Jupiter Island, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Park, Lake Worth, Lantana,Loxahatchee Groves, Manalapan, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Palm Springs, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Tequesta, Village of Golf, Wellington, West Palm Beach and all other communities

Martin County: 772-546-0811

Boca Raton and Delray Beach: 561-338-3533

Broward County: 954-968-1045

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Rugose Spiraling Whitefly South Florida Plant Attack

Who does not love the balmy, scented breezes and subtropical climate we enjoy almost year-round in Florida? We have an entire industry- tourism - based on the optimal living conditions we experience thanks to the wonderful atmosphere in our home state. But some visitors are more welcome than others, and some are not welcome at all. It is with no pleasure that we introduce the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly. 

The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly is a Central American import first collected in Miami-Dade County in March, 2009. This insect has steadily been making a northward trek and its' flight plan just make take right through your garden and landscaping. This pest is by no means a picky eater and will be quite content to munch through a lot of your greenery. Both larval and adult stages feed on and damage plant life. 

After hatching from eggs the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly larvae crawl around and begin to feed with their needle-like mouth parts on plant leaves. During this stage the so called "crawlers" are very small and may be difficult to observe. These crawlers will molt and go through several immature stages that are oval and at first flat, then they become more convex in shape. Some of these stages of the young whitefly will secrete long white filaments of wax. Note that these stages do not resemble a typical insect. In the warmer climes of south Florida these insects will likely
survive year round. 

The adult stage Rugose Spiraling Whitefly damages plants mostly not through intake but as a result of outflow. Research suggests the adult insect itself does not cause severe damage (on landscape plants) such as plant death or branch dieback. However the insects excrete massive amounts of sugary honeydew which provides an incubation ground for sooty mold. This mold can cause excessive damage to orchids as well as to cars and patios beneath infested plants. 

If your plants are falling victim to the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly the evidence will be clear. The undersides of their leaves will be covered with an abundance of the white, waxy material and the tops with excessive black sooty mold. In most cases you will note a white spiral or circular shaped clutch of eggs underneath the leaves of your plant. 

 The adult insects are larger than other whiteflies and are slow flying. This is not the same species of whitefly (ficus whitefly) that is currently causing damage through defoliation and branch dieback of ficus in south Florida. It will more than likely rapidly spread through more south Florida counties as well as making its' way to cooler northern areas.

Protect your trees and bushes from attack by Whitefly. Zimmerman Tree Services provides expert, licensed professional protection of your plants from infestation of the invasive, devastating Whitefly pests.There are different Whitefly treatment methods that may be applied to trees and hedges.
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South Florida Against Ficus Whiteflies

Spring is coming and with it will come the arrival of all those enemies of herb, leaf and blossom, insect pests. Looks like another year of having to round up the usual suspects that love to munch through our gardens and landscapes. Our first subject is the ficus whitefly. 

This plant predator was first reported in Homestead, FL in 2007 and it has since made quite an infamous name for itself. It managed to make its' destructive way all the way across the continental United States in the span of in just five years, appearing on the west coast in California in 2012. Just as quickly the ficus whitefly established itself as a spreading pest that was rapidly affecting the health and aesthetics of valuable ficus trees and hedges. Whiteflies greedily feed on the underside of leaves with their piercing mouthparts. This causes wilting, yellowing, leaf drop, and eventually the death of the ficus plant.

The rapid life cycle of the ficus whitefly compounds its' ability to damage plants. Ficus whiteflies have at least three generations per year. Their eggs hatch and crawlers wander around the leaf until they find a feeding spot. When they attach the crawlers become immobile, feeding in the same spot until they reach adulthood. This cycle takes approximately 30 days to complete from start to finish. After becoming adults, they can fly to other ficus and lay their eggs. With up to three breeding cycles completed per year, populations can grow quickly and plant damage likewise accelerates.

These increasingly common pests can easily be identified. The Adult flies (about 1.4-1.6 mm) have white wings with faint grayish-brown markings. Their eyes are dark red. They are usually quite active and fly readily when disturbed. In the nymph stage ficus whiteflies have light green to tan, often semi-transparent, oval bodies which may blend with the surrounding leaf surface, making them a bit tougher to spot. The pupae also have red eyes. Immature stages of S. simplex can be found on both lower and upper surfaces of leaves, unlike many other whitefly species. Ficus whitefly eggs are yellow to light brown color, and a bit elongated. These are commonly deposited mostly along the middle vein on the underside of the leaves. All stages have their unique features and this makes for easier identification of these insects by novice and experienced gardeners alike.

Are your plants under ficus whitefly attack? Look for wilting yellow leaves that eventually fall off the plant, as well as plants that have lost their leaves out of season. Gently move your plant and watch for flying clouds of little white flies. Plants that are highly susceptible to the ficus whitefly include ficus hedges, banana leaf figs, fiddle leaf figs, strangler figs, weeping figs, Cuban laurels and banyan and false banyan trees. They have also been spotted on rhododendrons.

If you are experiencing ficus whitefly infestation treatment has to be applied at least annually. Your plants will have to be treated for the long term as this pest is not expected to go away now that populations here in Florida are well-established. Protect your trees and bushes from attack by Whitefly. 
Zimmerman Tree Services provides expert, licensed professional protection of your plants from infestation of the invasive, devastating Whitefly pests. 
There are different Whitefly treatment methods that may be applied to trees and hedges.

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Frost Proof In Florida

Cold weather means different things in different regions of the world, and in various parts of the United States. Though winter brings snow and ice and sleet to some areas, here in Florida it is rare for us to see those frigid examples of precipitation they experience up north. Still, winter brings with it unique cold-weather challenges we do not experience in warmer times of the year. 

Florida has moderate winter temperatures and freezes can occur from Florida City Florida to the panhandle and everywhere in between. It only takes one night of colder than anticipated weather to turn your nice greenery to withered brown husks. Do not miss out on the coming spring's beautiful blooms by literally nipping them in the bud by not giving your plants the attention they need in the winter.

Continue to water newly planted plants, trees and shrubs since it does not rain often in Florida during the winter. Most of the above ground plant is dormant however the roots can continue to grow if adequate moisture is present. This root growth can be very important for the later healthy development of your plant. 

Remember the importance of well-regulated fertilization. Plants, trees and shrubs properly fertilized in the fall will recover quicker from frost damage. Do not wait until late fall to fertilize or prune otherwise the cold weather can cause damage to new growth. Winter fertilization is just as necessary as that you perform in spring, summer and fall.

Mulching in Florida can be done in the native plant way by using pine straw. Pine straw will insulate the plant absorbing the sun’s radiation using it at night to keep your plants, flowers and trees warm, just like a blanket uses our body heat to keep us warm at night. Mulch with pine straw around the base of plants, shrubs and trees to protect shallow root systems.

Remember to keep it covered! Your plants, that is. When frost is on the way break out the coverings. Covers that go all the way to the ground work best because it can lessen the damage by reducing heat loss. Cover tender plants by using cloth, such as old sheets or quilts, burlap or special covering from local nurseries that is made for plants and always avoid using plastic. Plastic will cause condensation to form on the leaves from freezing temperatures which results in the leaves burning in the sunlight. Remember that you want to keep the moisture in and the frost out.

Zimmerman Tree Service provides plant care, lawn, insect control, pruning, stump grinding, exotic invasive removal, mangrove, lethal yellowing treatment, pine revitalization, coconut palm injections, blend fertilizers, disease, cabling, bracing, lightning protection and total plant health care in Palm Beach County, Boca Raton, West Palm, Wellington, Manalapan, Green Acres, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lantana, Boynton Beach Tree and the rest of Palm Beach County, as well as Broward and Martin Counties in South Florida. Call 561-968-1045

Happy Holly Days

There are many traditions we follow when it comes to the holidays. We get together with friends and family. We exchange gifts. We throw parties. And we decorate. That means we do everything we can to make our homes, workplaces and sometimes even ourselves and our cars look as decorative as the holiday season calls for. But some of those home decorations can be a little more than we bargained for.

If you are planning to bring holiday foliage into your home this season, you will need to know which plants are safe. There are some which should be kept out of your kid's and your pet’s reach. Then there are others which you should avoid entirely. 

We will start with the Christmas tree. The water used to nourish Christmas trees can be noxious. Bacteria, molds, and fertilizers can cause your pet to become extremely sick with only a few laps. The oils produced by fir trees can be irritating to a child's or a pet's mouth and stomach, causing excessive vomiting or drooling. The tree needles, meanwhile, may cause gastrointestinal irritation, obstruction and puncture. These, along with ornaments, may also present a choking hazard.

The Christmas Cactus (or its relative, the Easter Cactus) plant is not toxic in either its parts or flowers. Keep kids and pets away from them, though. The fibrous plant material can cause irritation to the stomach and intestine, leading to vomiting or diarrhea.

The flowering Amaryllis can be very dangerous. The Amaryllis contains lycorine and other noxious substances.The plants are more likely to be eaten by pets than children, but the alkaloid poison lycorine is considered toxic to humans, too. It causes salivation, gastrointestinal abnormalities (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain), lethargy, and tremors in both cats and dogs. The bulb of the plant is reputed to be even more dangerous than the flowers and stalk. Amaryllis also goes by other names, including Belladonna, Saint Joseph Lily, Cape Belladonna, and Naked Lady.

Mistletoe is a name given to one of several plants, all potentially dangerous for kids and pets. Phoradendron species contain a toxin called phoratoxin, which can cause blurred vision, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood pressure changes, and even death. All parts of the mistletoe plant are poisonous, though it is the berries that may be most attractive to kids. Eating 1-2 berries probably will not cause a problem for a child, but a small pet could be endangered by eating a few leaves or berries. If your child or pet eats mistletoe, it's a good idea to seek medical advice.

The beautiful poinsettia is not something you want on a salad, but this Euphorbia is not particularly dangerous. If you eat a few leaves, you may feel ill or vomit. Rubbing the sap from the plant into your skin can give you an itchy rash. Beyond that, this plant is unlikely to cause a problem for either humans or pets.

A child can eat 1-2 holly berries (Ilex) without harm, but around 20 berries can cause death, so eating holly berries is a serious concern for children and pets. Though the berries are the part that is most commonly eaten, the bark, leaves, and seeds are toxic. What is the poison? Interestingly enough, it is theobromine, an alkaloid that is related to caffeine. Theobromine is found in chocolate (and is toxic to dogs even at the lower concentration), but there is much more of the compound in holly berries.

'Tis the season to be jolly, just watch that mistletoe and holly! Make sure your indoor holiday plants do not become the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Zimmerman Tree Service provides plant care, lawn, insect control, pruning, stump grinding, exotic invasive removal, mangrove, lethal yellowing treatment, pine revitalization, coconut palm injections, blend fertilizers, disease, cabling, bracing, lightning protection and total plant health care in Palm Beach County, Boca Raton, West Palm, Wellington, Manalapan, Green Acres, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lantana, Boynton Beach Tree and the rest of Palm Beach County, as well as Broward and Martin Counties in South Florida. Call 561-968-1045