Planting a tree is an act of connection with the land that He placed into your stewardship. No less than fifty-six times the holy book teaches us about trees.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life (Proverbs 11:30).
But do not plant just any tree: plant the right trees in its right place (Isaiah 41:16). Celebrate the best that Florida has to offer: Live Oak, Cabbage Palm, Magnolia. Enjoy the old age wisdom of these trees; they support Florida’s bugs and birds, and they will give you shade to rest under (Genesis 18:4). These three will not fall on your roof; their strength will actually protect you from bad weather. Many other trees grow faster, like pines or laurel oaks, but they die young or their weak branches turn into hurricane hazard. Exotic trees may be more showy, but they poison the ground below them.
And here is a cool little fact – the shade of trees drives away fire ants! Seriously: where are there more fire ants – in the shade of a forest, or in your sunny turf? Answer: in the turf! Fire ants love turf and full sun, but do not live in partial shade and in native vegetation.
| Trees that help (they belong in our land) | Trees that grow fast but are weak and one day they will fall on your house | Trees that hurt (invasive) |
| live oak | laurel oak | camphor |
| cabbage palm | cherry | privet |
| hickory | water oak | golden rain tree |
| longleaf pine | loblolly pine | Chinaberry |
| swamp chestnut oak | sweetgum | bamboo |
This billboard will be installed on Highway TBD.
