Flowering trees in Miami. (Coral Gables, Vero Beach: new house, live, eat)

[Cubanchic]

Wow thanks for all the suggestions lots of option for the two trees I want to plant.

[zorinlynx]

Just don't plant palms. We have more than enough palms already, and I can't understand why people are so obsessed with them when they provide so little shade in a place where shade is such a wonderful thing.

[straight shooter]

Originally Posted by zorinlynx

Just don't plant palms. We have more than enough palms already, and I can't understand why people are so obsessed with them when they provide so little shade in a place where shade is such a wonderful thing.

Most palm trees require less work than trees and are more hurricane resistant. I still agree with you that trees are better. They provide shade, help reduce electricity costs, provide food and shelter for wildlife, increase the value of homes, provide better air quality and some provide flowers.

[perry335654]

I believe also that it sets Miami apart from other cities with having a prodigious and diverse amount of palms as it it makes it way different for tourist visiting Miami to see attractive trees as the Coconut and Royal Palms just to name a couple.
.

[zorinlynx]

Originally Posted by perry335654

I believe also that it sets Miami apart from other cities with having a prodigious and diverse amount of palms as it it makes it way different for tourist visiting Miami to see attractive trees as the Coconut and Royal Palms just to name a couple.
.

I guess "attractive" is a matter of opinion.

I find trees from the oak family to be far more attractive. I know they can't grow here, but maple trees are FAR more beautiful than palm trees. I'm always in awe of how lovely trees are up north, and don't miss the palms one bit when I'm traveling.

Not saying get rid of the palms, just stop focusing on them. There's lots of other attractive tree species that provide much more shade.

[doggiebus]

I think the reason many people don't plant tress is because of the root structure and hurricanes, no one wants a tree toppling over on their house. Most trees in Miami have shallow roots and so the roots only go down a foot or two because they hit coral rock which the roots can not penetrate. And when the roots can't penetrate, the stability of the tree during a hurricane comes into play. Hence why large trees in Miami have to be thinned out yearly to allow the wind to pass through. Otherwise we'll see those large trees toppled over on the news like we do after some storms.

[Hawaii4evr]

I think Palms are the most beautiful kinds of trees. I love them.

OP, try Plumeria. It's a lovely, tropical flower found all over Hawaii and the Caribbean. Some grow in SoCal here and they smell amazing!

[perry335654]

Originally Posted by zorinlynx

I guess "attractive" is a matter of opinion.

I find trees from the oak family to be far more attractive. I know they can't grow here, but maple trees are FAR more beautiful than palm trees. I'm always in awe of how lovely trees are up north, and don't miss the palms one bit when I'm traveling.

Not saying get rid of the palms, just stop focusing on them. There's lots of other attractive tree species that provide much more shade.

The point I am making is this is something different, northerners can see all the Maple trees they want but no palm trees are seen up north(or very few) until you come to South Florida in its magnitude. Believe me I am from Jacksonville and love Miami for its diversity in palm trees, yea they don't provide shade but are pretty in their own way, the novelty wears off down here living with them day in and day out.

[Chelito23]

I don't mind palm tres at all. I just prefer a mix. The one thing I do hate is the universalization of the palmetto palm. I don't care that it's a native, it is way overused and no where near as attractive as 95% of the other growable palms in SoFla.

[perry335654]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

I don't mind palm tres at all. I just prefer a mix. The one thing I do hate is the universalization of the palmetto palm. I don't care that it's a native, it is way overused and no where near as attractive as 95% of the other growable palms in SoFla.

I agree with you there, only if they are in a cluster are they anywhere near presentable, stand alone they are drab and somewhat ugly.