Moving! Need tree recommendations

9 years ago

My wife is crazy and wants to move us from MN to FL. I have spent a LOT of time building an edible yard - hazels, chestnut, walnut, hickory, apples, berries, etc.

If we DO move, I would be interested to know what we could grow in the Orlando area. Of course I could grow things like oranges or maybe even some tropicals, but what more northerly species would do well, or have varieties that might do well? Specifically thinking about:

Edibles:

peaches
strawberries
raspberries
hazels
chestnuts (dunstan?)
other nut trees?
serviceberry

shade trees

what kinds of maples besides red?
tulip tree
aesculus
white oak (i know there are lots of native southern oaks, but i much prefer the non-waxy deciduous kind)
beech
basswood
dawn redwood (although I know baldcypress would stand in if i cant)
honeylocust

Featured Answer

corkball (z6 TN)
Original Author

9 years ago

when it gets below -20, the weather guys on TV get all excited because they get to do their 'its cold' tricks instead of report the weather. The two favorites are make a cloud by throwing water in the air and hammer a nail with a banana.

But I think we got off topic...

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Comments (9)

Logan L Johnson
9 years ago
For shade, I know Jacaranda is a nice tree. Sadly, I have never seen one in person. Although while your moving idea might be crazy, I hate the cold so you would be better off ;)
corkball (z6 TN)
Original Author
9 years ago
Logan, you are in NC! That is not COLD! lol
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Logan L Johnson
9 years ago
Lol, to me it is. I probably wouldn't survive an hour in MN. Although we have had a few really hot days. Walk out into the sun and you feel like you are going to die. That's similar to florida heat. Of course, it has been awhile since I have been there, and I didn't stay long (not because I didn't like it, because I tripped on the beach and sprained my ankle and couldn't do anything).
krnuttle
9 years ago
I live just east of Raleigh NC. Personnally I would trade one 90+ day with the humidity for 2 zero degree days. I can dress for the cold I can not undress for the heat.
Logan L Johnson
9 years ago
Lol, I would rather it be 90 degrees. If I get too hot (usually after I mow the grass, or do a lot of weeding/planting) I jump in the pool and cool off. I just dislike the cold for so many reasons...............
kentrees12
9 years ago
Tulip poplar is native in central FL, as is red maple and several deciduous oaks and hickories. There are low chill apples and peaches that MAY be adaptable. Forget citrus, at least for now. Citrus greening has pretty much put the kibosh on them.

Most of the stuff you mention DOES grow in parts of the panhandle, but that is a whole different world from Orlando.

There is a Florida Forum that is quite active, check them out.

I've had the opposite problem from you, I wanted to move to FL, but my late wife said NO!!! LOL.
corkball (z6 TN)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Ken! Too bad about citrus. Geez every decent tree has something horribly wrong - EAB, EFB, blight, DED, etc. Why is there no 'buckthorn blight'?
User
9 years ago
I would head to the Florida forum. Florida is not all the same thing. Northern Florida is not Central Fl. is not South Florida. Central Florida can be tricky, too hot for some of those "northern" species, too cold for a lot of the tropicals.