Originally Posted by bobdeb (Post 1905197)

First, I use an incredible deer repellent up north that is a wonderful fertilizer and is inexpensive to purchase. Forget any deer repellent products. They're a rip off. Get an inexpensive 32 lb bag of Milorganite at ACE or wherever you shop! It's a granular fertilizer and easy to spread. Like feeding chickens. Won't burn your plants or lawn. Deer hate it and it lasts! And I live on an island up north with no hunting so there are plenty of hungry deer around. You're welcome...

Secondly, dont plant violets! They will cast spores or seeds, or whatever, and your yard will be full of them, everywhere!

Originally Posted by rmd2 (Post 1905174)

My neighbor has a live oak and those pesky leaves even find their way inside MY garage. They are almost impossible to sweep away. They way they cling to the cement floor is amazing and not in a good way. I don't know why we don't have other types of trees here. Is it the weather or the price or what?

Originally Posted by SeanAndrews (Post 1905086)

Thank you for all the great advice! So, what trees WOULD you recommend? Thanks!

Originally Posted by bobdeb (Post 1904808)

Just my opinion, however, I do have some experience with the following.

These are some things I highly recommend you Do Not plant in your yard in The Villages. Please add whatever else you feel is appropriate.

1. Live Oak. Well, you may not have a choice here as one may already exist on your property. I love oak trees, and the shade they offer is welcomed from the heat of the sun.

However, you be forever dealing with relentless and testy little leaves and acorns that are difficult to control and clean up. They will ruin your lawn.

Personally, I would resist buying a home that already had an oak tree in the yard. And your nearby neighbor's live oak tree will also add to your endless yardwork.

They grow slowly but will eventually become enormous and offer yet more leaves and acorns.

2. Magnolia trees. These also grow very large and add to your relentless yard work. The flowers are lovely but I'm not a big fan of the huge leaves.

3. Citrus trees. Don't do it. It's tempting I know. Citrus trees take more care than one might imagine. So many of these grow unattended. There may be exceptions with some folks but the fruit will be beyond your ability to process or give away. It will fall and rot and attrack rats. And, in turn, the rats will attract snakes. Fruit trees are especially problematic for snow birds to manage.

The upside is that many citrus trees are quite attractive and the scent of the blossoms is exquisite.

4. Palm trees. I have four sylvester (king) palms, one pindo and one European fan.

The king and queen palms will grow beyond your ability to prune yourself. You will have to hire a crew annually to do that for you. Also, all palms have incredibly nasty thorns. You could lose an eye if not careful. The immature leaves are sharp spikes. Queen palm pods are extremely heavy and they will fall. The fruit from the king palms is significant to clean up.

European fan palms are full of needle like black slivers.

Face it, these trees evolved to protect themselves. It's tempting but don't plant palm trees. You'll thank me some day.

5. Anything else with nasty thorns unless you want a barrier between your home and your neighbors.

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 1904851)

Do not plant husband/wife in garden.
Police these days have dogs trained to sniff out cadavers!

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1904819)

Oak Trees, I bought a new home in Pinellas Park Florida in 1976, that's between Clearwater and St. Pete. Since it was new, the developer had cleared out all the trees as so many do. So I left one year later in '77 there only shrubs in the front yard.

A couple of years ago I googled the address and on google maps street view the front had the biggest oak tree you can fit. I just took a screen shot of the home. This tree did not exist in 1977. A little extra info, I paid $35,500 for the home new and it sold a couple of years ago for $212K, and it was tiny, only 1200 sf, it was tan with dark brown Bahama Shutters over the front two windows.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...17&oe=6055B696

Originally Posted by bobdeb (Post 1904808)

Just my opinion, however, I do have some experience with the following.

These are some things I highly recommend you Do Not plant in your yard in The Villages. Please add whatever else you feel is appropriate.

1. Live Oak. Well, you may not have a choice here as one may already exist on your property. I love oak trees, and the shade they offer is welcomed from the heat of the sun.

However, you be forever dealing with relentless and testy little leaves and acorns that are difficult to control and clean up. They will ruin your lawn.

Personally, I would resist buying a home that already had an oak tree in the yard. And your nearby neighbor's live oak tree will also add to your endless yardwork.

They grow slowly but will eventually become enormous and offer yet more leaves and acorns.

2. Magnolia trees. These also grow very large and add to your relentless yard work. The flowers are lovely but I'm not a big fan of the huge leaves.

3. Citrus trees. Don't do it. It's tempting I know. Citrus trees take more care than one might imagine. So many of these grow unattended. There may be exceptions with some folks but the fruit will be beyond your ability to process or give away. It will fall and rot and attrack rats. And, in turn, the rats will attract snakes. Fruit trees are especially problematic for snow birds to manage.

The upside is that many citrus trees are quite attractive and the scent of the blossoms is exquisite.

4. Palm trees. I have four sylvester (king) palms, one pindo and one European fan.

The king and queen palms will grow beyond your ability to prune yourself. You will have to hire a crew annually to do that for you. Also, all palms have incredibly nasty thorns. You could lose an eye if not careful. The immature leaves are sharp spikes. Queen palm pods are extremely heavy and they will fall. The fruit from the king palms is significant to clean up.

European fan palms are full of needle like black slivers.

Face it, these trees evolved to protect themselves. It's tempting but don't plant palm trees. You'll thank me some day.

5. Anything else with nasty thorns unless you want a barrier between your home and your neighbors.

Originally Posted by bobdeb (Post 1904808)

Just my opinion, however, I do have some experience with the following.

These are some things I highly recommend you Do Not plant in your yard in The Villages. Please add whatever else you feel is appropriate.

1. Live Oak. Well, you may not have a choice here as one may already exist on your property. I love oak trees, and the shade they offer is welcomed from the heat of the sun.

However, you be forever dealing with relentless and testy little leaves and acorns that are difficult to control and clean up. They will ruin your lawn.

Personally, I would resist buying a home that already had an oak tree in the yard. And your nearby neighbor's live oak tree will also add to your endless yardwork.

They grow slowly but will eventually become enormous and offer yet more leaves and acorns.

2. Magnolia trees. These also grow very large and add to your relentless yard work. The flowers are lovely but I'm not a big fan of the huge leaves.

3. Citrus trees. Don't do it. It's tempting I know. Citrus trees take more care than one might imagine. So many of these grow unattended. There may be exceptions with some folks but the fruit will be beyond your ability to process or give away. It will fall and rot and attrack rats. And, in turn, the rats will attract snakes. Fruit trees are especially problematic for snow birds to manage.

The upside is that many citrus trees are quite attractive and the scent of the blossoms is exquisite.

4. Palm trees. I have four sylvester (king) palms, one pindo and one European fan.

The king and queen palms will grow beyond your ability to prune yourself. You will have to hire a crew annually to do that for you. Also, all palms have incredibly nasty thorns. You could lose an eye if not careful. The immature leaves are sharp spikes. Queen palm pods are extremely heavy and they will fall. The fruit from the king palms is significant to clean up.

European fan palms are full of needle like black slivers.

Face it, these trees evolved to protect themselves. It's tempting but don't plant palm trees. You'll thank me some day.

5. Anything else with nasty thorns unless you want a barrier between your home and your neighbors.

Originally Posted by Pricey (Post 1904897)

One word: Bougainvilleas.
They have thorns, invade everything, and are impossible to remove unless they're dug up.
Word has it that the crown of thorns placed on the brow of Jesus Christ was the bougainvillea. I believe it.

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer (Post 1904950)

You nailed it. And if anyone says their magnolia is “dwarf,” we’re talking 40 feet. I think TV has stopped planting them (and others) in residential yards. Right plant, right place.

Like an up thread poster, I would not buy a home with a live oak.

Originally Posted by Cheese (Post 1905119)

Agave Cactus is another one that should be added to your list. They multiply, get big and some have sharp points. Also, if they should flower they die and a mess to get rid of.

Originally Posted by bobdeb (Post 1904808)

Just my opinion, however, I do have some experience with the following.

These are some things I highly recommend you Do Not plant in your yard in The Villages. Please add whatever else you feel is appropriate.

1. Live Oak. Well, you may not have a choice here as one may already exist on your property. I love oak trees, and the shade they offer is welcomed from the heat of the sun.

However, you be forever dealing with relentless and testy little leaves and acorns that are difficult to control and clean up. They will ruin your lawn.

Personally, I would resist buying a home that already had an oak tree in the yard. And your nearby neighbor's live oak tree will also add to your endless yardwork.

They grow slowly but will eventually become enormous and offer yet more leaves and acorns.

2. Magnolia trees. These also grow very large and add to your relentless yard work. The flowers are lovely but I'm not a big fan of the huge leaves.

3. Citrus trees. Don't do it. It's tempting I know. Citrus trees take more care than one might imagine. So many of these grow unattended. There may be exceptions with some folks but the fruit will be beyond your ability to process or give away. It will fall and rot and attrack rats. And, in turn, the rats will attract snakes. Fruit trees are especially problematic for snow birds to manage.

The upside is that many citrus trees are quite attractive and the scent of the blossoms is exquisite.

4. Palm trees. I have four sylvester (king) palms, one pindo and one European fan.

The king and queen palms will grow beyond your ability to prune yourself. You will have to hire a crew annually to do that for you. Also, all palms have incredibly nasty thorns. You could lose an eye if not careful. The immature leaves are sharp spikes. Queen palm pods are extremely heavy and they will fall. The fruit from the king palms is significant to clean up.

European fan palms are full of needle like black slivers.

Face it, these trees evolved to protect themselves. It's tempting but don't plant palm trees. You'll thank me some day.

5. Anything else with nasty thorns unless you want a barrier between your home and your neighbors.

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl (Post 1905355)

Petticoat palm trees. TV planted a line of them along the wall outside our property line and after every heavy rain or storm, our yard is full of their debris. I resent having to clean up after these trees that TV planted when they built the community. Some landscaper somewhere made this decision I am sure. They are ugly, too.

Originally Posted by Rosebud2020 (Post 1905370)

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1905298)

Here's what landscaping can do for property. This is the home I sold in 2011 in the Baltimore suburbs to move to TV. I bought the home new in '98 and over the 13 years I bought some shrubs every spring when I bought new bags of mulch, and did all the landscaping myself. The tree in the middle was the only thing I saved from the original builder's landscaping.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a8&oe=60576354

Since I sold the home about ten years ago, it has been resold three times. The most recent seller posted this photo on zillow. They basically removed everything but the tree.

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/fp/7...1536_1152.webp

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl (Post 1905382)

You are so wrong so let me correct you. We bought our home NEW and TV planted the PETTICOAT palms when they built our house and community. We have watched these trees grow from small trees to very tall trees of about 35 ft. The squirrels love to jump from the wall into the trees and then chase each other jumping from one tree to another. I assure you, we are not imagining the long palm fronds and other debris that we pick up after heavy winds and/or storms. I DO resent, which is my prerogative, having to clean up this mess from trees not on our property. I don't have a 'yard man' but would be happy to have you come over. May I suggest you PM your name and phone number so, after the next storm, I can call you so you can come over and clean up. I'll leave the gate open. Thanking you in advance for knowing more about my situation than my husband or I do.

PS TV landscape workers told us that they are called PETTICOAT palms so if you don't want them called that, perhaps you should contact TV and register your complaint.

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl (Post 1905386)

John, are you by any chance from Harford County? We also moved here in 2011 and I remember seeing posts by you saying you were from Harford County. We still have family there. The past ten years (almost for us) have gone by so quickly.

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl (Post 1905382)

You are so wrong so let me correct you. We bought our home NEW and TV planted the PETTICOAT palms when they built our house and community. We have watched these trees grow from small trees to very tall trees of about 35 ft. The squirrels love to jump from the wall into the trees and then chase each other jumping from one tree to another. I assure you, we are not imagining the long palm fronds and other debris that we pick up after heavy winds and/or storms. I DO resent, which is my prerogative, having to clean up this mess from trees not on our property. I don't have a 'yard man' but would be happy to have you come over. May I suggest you PM your name and phone number so, after the next storm, I can call you so you can come over and clean up. I'll leave the gate open. Thanking you in advance for knowing more about my situation than my husband or I do.

PS TV landscape workers told us that they are called PETTICOAT palms so if you don't want them called that, perhaps you should contact TV and register your complaint.

Originally Posted by JerseyGurl (Post 1905099)

Hi all, new to FL and TV. So what would you suggest planting in a small area for privacy? The landscaper suggested 2 Bougainville. After reading your comments I told him definitely not. Thank you.

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1905394)

Yes, we sold our home to the new Wegman's manager. They were a couple from NY, one managed Hunt Valley Wegmans and the other was assistant manager of the one that was still under construction in Abingdon at the time. I lived just about across the street from the new Wegmans, we were in Constant Friendship. When go west on 24 from I-95 toward Bel Air, they were the homes on the right that you would see the back of. We went back in 2013 on the Autotrain and we finally got to shop at the new Wegmans. I don't know if you can tell, but the cap in my avatar is a Ravens hat.

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 1905396)

To be honest, I would just throw all the rubbish back over the wall, and let TV maintainance clear up.
Their trees, their problem!

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer (Post 1905392)

You are 100% correct. They are copernicia macroglossa—petticoat palms, and they are exactly as you describe.

Originally Posted by NancyLillian (Post 1905293)

Thank you for your information on what NOT to plant.....how about some suggestions for good things TO plant?

Originally Posted by 2newyorkers (Post 1905454)

I have dwarf bottle brush. Almost zero maintenance. People often stop to ask about them.

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl (Post 1905411)

...We lived in Linthicum near BWI in the same house from 1976-2011. My sister and her family and my mom lived across the street. Eventually my mom died, my niece and nephew went away to college and then got married and my sister and brother-in-law sold and moved to Bel Air to be near their daughter and her family. I'm not a big football fan, but my husband is a Raven's and Oriole's fan. He has an Orioles cap and a Raven's sweatshirt.

Originally Posted by Diane F (Post 1905105)

We have 3 Sylvesters, a Ribbon palm, and several Sugar palms too around are pool, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. After all we do live in Florida. To not have them would be like not having firs and pine trees in the mountains! Yes there upkeep is a hassle, but if you like them and can afford the upkeep, plant them!