Adapting Tree Care to Orlando’s Climate

Trees can add visual interest and character to your yard, but they also improve air quality, provide shade in the summer, slow stormwater runoff and more. Learn how to best care for your trees to keep them healthy and vibrant.

Native trees like the flowering dogwood and Florida maple turn gorgeous shades of yellow and orange in autumn, adding to seasonal beauty.

Spring

Florida’s dynamic climate poses many challenges for homeowners looking to create a lush and healthy landscape. Frequent tropical storms, extreme heat and humidity, periodic drought, and a variety of pests can all threaten the health and beauty of your trees and shrubs. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and maintenance plan, your shaded landscape can flourish.

Spring runoff from rain events, combined with potential tree cutting services in Orlando, can carry increased concentrations of nutrient pollutants and chemical contaminants that impact the water quality and clarity in our spring ecosystems. This can result in algae blooms that interfere with natural spring ecology, especially in freshwater springs where wildlife species such as West Indian manatee and American eel connect to the marine environment.

Summer

A favorite in the landscape of many Florida homes, flowering dogwoods are not only pretty to look at in spring with their white or pink blooms but also turn a stunning scarlet red in fall. They’re an easy-to-care-for tree that’s a perfect addition to any garden.

Soft summers have peachy or rosy fair skin that may tan easily with a light-brown color family with ash-blond highlights and tints. They have blue, green, or hazel eyes and look best in cool hues that don’t overpower their subtle features.

Native trees and shrubs are a must for any Florida garden because they’re already adapted to our unique climate, providing a natural aesthetic while supporting native wildlife. But, even with the right care, it’s important to understand Orlando’s tree ordinances and permit requirements to ensure a healthy, flourishing yard. Work with a tree service company that’s familiar with these regulations and can help you remain compliant. The team at Tree Service Orlando is the go-to source for expert help with all your tree needs.

Fall

Like much of the Deep South, Orlando experiences a humid subtropical climate with two seasons: a hot and rainy season from May until late October (coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season) and a warm and dry season from November through April. During fall, the trees in your landscape change color from bright green to vibrant yellow, orange and red. The leaves then shed, forming piles of leaf litter on the ground that make for a classic autumn scene. But it is also an important time of year for tree care, as this is when you prepare your shade trees and other woody plants for the long winter ahead.

Winter

Florida winters are mild and enjoyable, but the state’s climate is not ideal for growing shade trees. The summer temperatures of Central Florida are too hot and dry for almost every shade tree, including southern live oaks, loblolly pines, sycamore, hophornbeams, and Florida elms. Planting these trees in the summer will cause them to struggle to survive and eventually die.

If you must plant a new shade tree during the summer, try to supplement the tree’s establishment with deep watering on a regular basis. This will help reduce the likelihood of transplant shock and promote a healthy root system. During the winter, most plants will thrive, especially annuals that tolerate cold weather and shady spots, such as flax lily or ferns. Vegetables can also be planted during the cooler winter months as well, but should be covered with a layer of mulch to protect them from frost and maintain a consistent soil temperature. This allows for a more rapid and successful harvest.