Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Trees
Upcoming Event
National Arbor Day Planting at Butler Park
On National Arbor Day Parks & Recreation along with Natural Resources will be hosting a community-based habitat restoration project at Butler Park, planting small native trees and plants. Open to all ages, learn about the species we plant and their benefits from the Environmental Conservancy of North Port. Learn the importance and impact native vegetation has on our planet and specifically our city. This program is in conjunction with native tree plantings, occurring throughout the year across our city. Together with the residents of North Port we will continue to protect, educate, and restore our natural environment.
Do you have plants to donate to the event? Plant donations from the public will be accepted at the Morgan Center Monday 4/22- Friday 4/26.
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024.
Time: 5:00 PM
Place: Butler Park, 6205 W Price Blvd, North Port, FL 34287
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
The state of Florida has unique soil, light, water, and climatic conditions in various regions around the state, making home landscaping a unique challenge for Floridians, and by extension, residents of the City of North Port. The University of Florida's Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program provides guidance on sustainable alternatives to "conventional" landscaping that focus on low impact to Florida's unique environment.
There are 9 basic principles to the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program:
- Right plant, right place
- Water efficiently
- Fertilize appropriately
- Mulch
- Attract wildlife
- Manage yard pests responsibly
- Recycle yard waste
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Protect the waterfront
For more information on each of these steps and more, visit the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program's webpage.
Minimizing tree damage by storms
As residents begin to think about replacing trees lost to Hurricane Ian or other storms, it's important to account for future storm possibilities. The University of Florida has provided helpful guides on choosing wind-resistant trees(PDF, 2MB) and how to minimize wind damage ahead of a storm(PDF, 1MB) .
Who's responsible for fallen trees?
A common result of many hurricanes, tropical storms or other strong wind events is fallen trees that impact more than one lot. When this occurs, both property owners are responsible for the part of the tree(s) that fall on their side of the property line. If you experience a tree falling over from an undeveloped lot, it is recommended to try to contact the owner, as the City can not go on private property to cut or remove trees.
Additional Information
ULDC Master Tree List: Find information on trees that provide the appropriate level of shade, whether they're native to North America and more on the Unified Land Development Code's Master Tree list.
Arborist Services: Find more information on the City's tree ordinance, the Greenest Citizen Award, and how to contact the City's Arborist, and other environmental resources.
People for Trees: People for Trees is a North Port-based organization whose goal is to create awareness of the importance of Florida's native tree canopy through education and to encourage a stewardship of the native tree canopy through the preservation, protection, and replanting of native trees.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides a wealth of information on everything from trees, plants, and fertilizer programs, to access to low-cost seedlings and the state's "Fresh From Florida" program.