The perfect living Christmas Tree - Southern Red Cedar

It's Christmas time! In Florida, that doesn't mean much, as far as the weather goes, but it does get a little cooler. The classic Christmas trees like the Fraser Fir may not grow well in Florida, so if you want a living Christmas tree in your yard, you will likely need to think of some alternatives.

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The southern red cedar, actually a type of juniper, is low-maintenance and makes an stunning statement in Mid Florida Landscapes. 

Red Cedars have a natural symmetry that helps them look manicured with little to no effort.

Sometimes called Florida Red Cedar, it is the perfect outdoor Christmas tree, with it's pyramidal shape and it can grow wider as it matures. The beautiful emerald-green foliage matches well with the Christmas Theme. 

You'll want a spacious landscape for planting this tree. Red cedars can be used alone, or planted in rows as a living privacy fence. They also make ideal windbreaks

 Specs:

• Evergreen
• Height: about 40 Feet
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Sun: full to part
• Soil: Well Drained 
• Salt Tolerance: Mildly Salt tolerant.
• Cold Hardy
• Does well anywhere in Mid Florida.

If you'd like more information about caring for this, or any other tree in Florida, I suggest you contact the Tree Care Professionals at Mid Florida Tree Service. They've been in the business for literally decades, and have certified arborists on staff to ensure all your trees receive the best care possible.

Common Tree Care Errors

Obviously, you'd never intentionally harm your own trees, but there are things to consider to ensure their long term health isn't compromised by human actions.

Let's take a look at some common tree care errors.

 

Laying mulch too close a trunk

• Mulch balances the temperature of your soil and helps retain moisture and adds nutrients back into the soil. So, adding mulch around the tree is a good thing, right? Well, it's important that the mulch is not piled up around the base of the tree where too much moisture may cause the bark to rot and lead to serious health issues for your tree. It's easy enough to prevent though, just leave around 3 inches between  your tree and the mulch.

Crowded Trees

• Trees need personal space! When planted too close together, tree root systems obstruct each other and they have to compete for nutrients and water. It’s safest to contact a professional to help you determine the right amount of space needed for your tree landscaping, considering the immediate case and allowing for the future growth of your trees.

Girdling 

• Girdling may be done on fruit trees intentionally, to prompt them to yield more fruit. It is done by removing a thin ring of bark from around the tree. Girdling can work  and may be necessary in some cases, but it is also a potential killer. Cutting the bark blocks the flow of nutrients from the leaves to the roots. Malnourished roots can lead to an unhealthy, unstable tree and possibly even the death of the tree. Accidental girdling can happen due to fences, pet tie-outs or forgotten guy wires. It is important to remove anything that is tied around a tree trunk before it gets overgrown, and to get help from a professional when girdling for fruit productions.

The use of fasteners like screws and nails on a tree

• Mature, healthy trees can usually withstand a few staples, light drilling or having something nailed to them. Young trees, thin barked trees or trees that are weakened should not be subjected to nail,screws, staples or anything else that penetrates the bark. If you have any doubt as to whether your tree can handle these things, stop and find another way to hang your item.

Covering roots

• Consider anything that might cover your trees' roots. If that's new construction near an existing tree, or planting a tree near existing or planned construction, concrete is a real concern. Tree roots are designed to grow into whatever direction is required to find water and nutrients. Their slow but steady power will heave and crack concrete. Root pruning may become necessary and must be performed by a knowledgeable tree service professional. Obviously, root pruning of this nature should be minimized or avoided if possible. 
  
  
• If you need to mask visible roots, consult a tree service professional for options that won't harm the tree or cause trouble for you in the future.

Mid Florida Tree Service can help you remove the guesswork from the decisions about caring for your trees. They have a team of expert professionals, including Certified Arborists, to help you make the right choices for your trees.