Edwin R. Duke, Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences; FAMU Cooperative Extension, Tallahassee, FL 32307. Samuel E. Hand, Jr., Associate Professor and Director of Industry Credentialing Training Programs, FAMU Cooperative Extension, Tallahassee, FL 32307.
Florida is a state where lightning strikes, and it is more than twice. With summer bringing multiple thunderstorms weekly, the chances of tree damage are quite significant. Lightning protection systems for trees are old technology, having been developed decades ago. They consist of three connected parts. A copper cable “down-conductor” directs the charge of a…Read more
The recent storms and tornadoes have focused the attention of many residents on trees within their home sites. Typically, these large plants are part of the background and receive little to no notice. However, weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes and the like can reveal often overlooked safety and maintenance issues. Much of the damage…Read more
There is a big difference between a gardener and a plant collector. A gardener knows their garden with its soil, light levels and microclimates, and selects plants that will thrive in the growing environment. A plant collector often makes purchases based on an impulse. Many nurseries rely on these impulse buyers making purchases without planning…Read more
Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States. It is enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to seniors. The benefits of gardening as a hobby go a long way both physically and mentally. Horticulture can involve hands-on activities as well as mental stimulation. As a therapy tool, horticultural activities…Read more
Despite soil being the foundation of our yards and gardens, most people know little-to-nothing about it. Soil is a dynamic, living system that enables plants to function properly. Soil does not necessarily equate to ‘dirt’ which usually implies a state or quality of uncleanliness. Soil performs at least four functions in relation to plants. The…Read more
Air Layering is an asexual plant propagation technique often used for plants larger or more difficult to propagate by regular cuttings. Plant propagation by this technique has several advantages. Like most asexual plant propagation techniques, air layering results in a new plant that is genetically identical to the parent plant. Many plants are difficult to…Read more
It may sound like an unnecessary question, but it’s not. When one stops to think about it, a rather long list of things to consider when planning a landscape could be made. In nature, many plants have defense mechanisms to ensure survival. These mechanisms may include ways to physically deter a predator, like thorns or…Read more
Florida has a great wealth of native plant material ranging from tropical to temperate species, but many gardens tend to be comprised largely of exotic, non-native species. It might pay to learn more about native plant options for the success and ease of maintenance they will impart in the landscape. Native plants have become adapted…Read more
On June 1st, Atlantic hurricane season officially begins and lasts until November 30th. This six-month period places coastal zone residents, as well as many entire states, at an increased risk of tree liability potential. When a healthy tree fails structurally in a storm, insurance will pay for damage caused by it, less any deductible. Generally,…Read more
Citrus has long been associated with Florida. A popular advertising slogan of the 1970s from the Florida Citrus Commission invited people to “come to the Florida sunshine tree…” because “breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.” The Florida citrus industry began in the northeastern region of the state along the St. Johns…Read more
