[CFrance]

I wish Mansfield had not planted our neighbor's palm right next to our house, so close that the fronds scratch our roof if he does not keep that side of it trimmed. He did, but now there are new neighbors.

[Serenoa]

Originally Posted by joldnol

I understand many of you are new to Fla when you move in but there is a reason you see hardwoods in the country and not palms. Leave the oaks on your property.....you be grateful in ten years. The bio diversity of your neighborhood will thank you too.

A humble Villager and native Floridian

Not sure where the OP is looking when he's out in the country, since there are NATIVE sabal palmettos growing all over Florida.

I currently have five different species of palms growing here in Birmingham and when we finally move to TV I certainly hope our neighbors don't have a strong dislike for palms. I can guarantee that our property will be quite palmy, in fact I hope to have a nice variety of different palms similar to what Jimbo is growing. Can hardly wait for the day........

[justjim]

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast

There is no filthier tree than the florida oak that drops bushels of leaves, tiny sticks, and tiny acorns that rot into brown, tarry goo on the driveway and on the grass, which the rotting oak leaves/acorns kill.

In the pastures, golf course roughs, and along roadsides, they're good to keep. But in a residential yard, they are a cleaning nightmare for 8 months, and a grass-killing menace!

Thank you to everyone who's planted palms!

Spot on. I have a friend who paid more $$$$ for a lot with a big Florida Oak. He is "sorry " now for all the reasons you point out.

[joldnol]

First, I wasn't "worried" about what others plant but rather it was a simple question to which many answered. Do what you wish to your own property. Secondly, many responded with the leaf issue being a problem which was beautifully answered by another poster. Yes I have seen Palmettos growing in Florida. I have one I fight back regularly (under my live oak) in Jacksonville. The type of palms folks plant here are not native to this area but if it gives you pleasure go for it.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by DougB

Have no idea why someone would be worried or even care what kind of tree someone plants in their own yard.

Yep, I agree. That's part of what brought me to Florida. Always wanted to live among the palm trees !!

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

I've been in Florida over 30 years and by design, we do not have one palm on our property. I don't know what the problem is with the leaves falling in the fall. Most residents don't do their own lawns anyway, so it isn't a problem. For those that do, a mulching mower will take care of the problem and the leaves here or there can be blown off the planted areas. Regarding the dense shade that oaks and other shade trees provide, there are many solutions to the sparse grass growing underneath them and that is not an issue.

I happen to like the birds and wildlife that many flowering trees and oaks attract. On the other hand, palms attract cockroaches in particular and other insects, and rats choose to live in their canopy. Palms also require much more maintenance than trees, which translates into $$$.

Many residents have moved here from the north and west and want the so-called tropical look of palms. Trees provide personal shade and shade from the hot sun for your house. In turn, because of the shade they provide, they do help with your electric bill.

Regarding the two phrases highlighted in red above:

1. Obviously you haven't lived with one of these florida oaks shading your driveway, yard and/or house. Contrary to your phrase implying these florida oaks drop leaves only in the fall, their leaves AND GAZILLIONS OF TINY ACORNS that rot quickly do not "fall in the fall". They fall for 7-8 months, from about July thru March!!

Unless you sweep and wash the driveway and sidewalk up to the front door every day, all the black/brown filth and rot from the leaves, tiny sticks and acorns get walked into the house or garage on shoe soles, and not everybody (especially seniors with physical problems) wants to go thru removing their shoes every time they walk into the house or garage. It is a constant mess to clean up to not have it tracked in and dirty or stain the rugs and floors.

2. "Many residents have moved here from the north and west" and came specifically to enjoy greenery all year long, instead of everything looking DEAD and naked from Sept. thru April. Palms are a daily reminder that we're not living in the cold, grey, frozen, dead-looking north as we did for decades since birth. The graceful, whispering palms outside are a joy to look at and they're what I "write home about" most.

[Bonny]

Not too mention that stuff all over the car for those that have a car in the driveway, all over the roof & in the eaves !!! Even if you put screening on the eaves, it still all has to be cleaned off. Too much like work.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

Pruning keeps rodents away!

Palm trees with slumping, dead fronds CAN attract pests such as rats, roaches, bats and snakes. Rodents may nest and breed within THICK layers of dead fronds in untrimmed palm trees and have easy access to your roof and home, especially if the fronds hang near your roofline. Sensible plant location, careful, periodic palm tree trimming and removal of fruit will help prevent unwanted pests on your property.

Critters would much prefer 'brown' vegetation to nest or hide in as it (unlike green healthy fronds) doesn't move much and provides camouflage and shade.

Thank you Uptown Girl for pointing out the truth about palm trees and rodents. I always thought what on earth would attract a rat to my palm trees - no good hiding places or fruit to eat so why would they even think twice about it.

[Halibut]

Do palms count as trees under the covenant rule against removing any with trunks 4" or more?

Palms or not, I'd like to see a change in the deed restrictions to allow more xeriscaping and even complete grass removal. I'll grant that lawns look "nicer" than rock gardens, but given the financial and environmental costs of watering, it might be worth considering. Also seems like a heck of a lot of retirees would be just as happy never to bother with yardwork again, me included.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by joldnol

I understand many of you are new to Fla when you move in but there is a reason you see hardwoods in the country and not palms. A humble Villager and native Floridian

When we moved to Miami in 1953 from the Pittsburgh area the first thing my father did was to plant a coconut palm along with orange, grapefruit and banana trees. We also had a fig tree and Mango tree. The Villages is much less tropical than that area and you won't see coconut or royal palms. I really enjoy seeing the oak trees and also some of the red maple which actually change color in this time of year. I don't want them in my yard though dropping all those leaves. I can understand new transplants from up north wanting palms.

[CFrance]

A question to the master gardeners among you: Is it a "sin" to plant a non native plant in an area if it is in its proper climate designation? For instance, my geraniums thrive year-round down here. Are they native? If not, should they not be planted? Same thing with palms. Why shouldn't they be planted if they are the kind that will withstand this climate?

It seems to me if all we planted were native plants, the landscape could be pretty dull. We don't have any palms, but I like seeing them about.

[Topspinmo]

If I plant tree it's going to have something I can eat from it. So I would plant citrus of some sort. I lived on 2 acres for 20 years . I had three types of pears, tree types of cherries, tree types of apples, apricots, pecans, and grapes. Plus about 40 blackjack oaks. I was always cleaning up from under the oaks and eating fruit all summer long.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Halibut

Palms or not, I'd like to see a change in the deed restrictions to allow more xeriscaping and even complete grass removal. .

I tried very hard to get xeriscaping approved, in fact had FL Univ involved to get it approved.................no way they fought very hard against it although Fl law says it over rides HOA's.

Short of a Court action it wasn't happening, we did reach a compromise of sorts.

[tuctba]

My neighbor in Belvedere paid a 10,000 lot premium because of a large live oak. Hurricane winds came through in October 2004 part of the tree fell on the house. Cost 6,000 to remove the tree. Spent a total of 16,000........OUCH!!!

[DougB]

Originally Posted by CFrance

A question to the master gardeners among you: Is it a "sin" to plant a non native plant in an area if it is in its proper climate designation? ........

Apparently so, say 7 Hail Marys and 8 Lord's Prayers and you will be forgiven.