A Nearly Perfect Tree

Is there a perfect tree?

I think this question has fueled much of historic plant exploration and discovery. Sometimes it is beauty that draws us, like the Jacaranda tree native to Brazil, with its beautiful lavender blooms each spring. Sometimes it’s the fruit, like our beloved mangoes. These days, however, we search for a tree that can grow in difficult urban environments.

The perfect urban tree

In our increasingly populated urban areas of Florida, and specifically Central and South Florida, the search for the perfect tree is on-going. Because of increasing development and destruction of natural areas, most cities struggle with their ability to increase tree canopy Creating canopy/shade is an important element in the urban setting. Trees cool the heat created by cars and roads. Trees make a place beautiful and livable, but due to many factors, this is often unobtainable.

There are many challenges that urban trees face. Here are some of them:

Zero lot lines, and smaller yards
Narrow planting areas in shopping centers and other public places
Wind tunnels created by tall buildings
Water restrictions
Poor soils created by construction
Changing climate, storms and disease
Pollution
Damage from poor pruning and landscaping practices

Ironwood – perhaps a perfect urban tree

Enter a tree aptly named Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum), also called Black Ironwood and Leadwood, this tree is suitable for zones 10A, 10B and 11, an area encompassing much of central and south Florida.

Ironwood will grow in almost any area, from occasionally wet to very dry, in full sun to part shade, is salt tolerant, and most importantly, matures at a height of 25-30 feet over a period of as many years.

Its leaves are always shiny, it’s disease resistant, provides shelter and food for birds, shade for humans, and its best feature is that is will rarely outgrow an area, or lift the pavement. The wood of Ironwood is one of the strongest in the world, making it extremely resilient during storms. Add to this, that it is easy to prune.

Infrastructure damage is rampant

While large canopy trees provide the highest ecosystem services (habitat for wildlife, cooling effects, etc.) they are often planted in the wrong places. Trees too large for an area are often planted anyways which causes severe damage to sidewalks, driveways, buildings and other important and costly infrastructures.

Planting the wrong tree causes many fine canopy trees to be eliminated, a travesty of lost time, sometimes 20-30 years or more, and wildlife habitat. We must stop wasting both time and money.

This photo of an Ironwood tree was taken recently next to the Extension office in Broward County. It was planted in 2007 and has achieved its full stature of about 25 feet. Other than removal of low limbs for clearance, it has required no canopy pruning and is not causing any issues planted quite close to the building.

Wrong tree, wrong place!

Florida Friendly Landscaping has 9 principles and the first, and most important one is Right Plant, Right Place. When a large canopy tree that matures at 40, 50 feet or more, is planted in the wrong place such as too close to buildings, in a restricted area, or in an area where it doesn’t grow well, many problems result.

Planting the wrong tree causes it to be stressed due to limited root zone availability. Tree abuse is often the result, which causes increased storm damage. The tree will often have to be removed because of bad pruning practices such as hat racking, over lifting and flush cuts that cause them to become unsafe.

It’s time to plant more perfect trees

Ironwood requires very little structural pruning, is long lived, evergreen and rarely sheds its leaves (even in a cold snap). Ironwood is a strong, tidy and a nearly perfect tree. Close up Ironwood

Question: “When is the best time to plant a tree? Answer: 20 years ago.”

Water Matters Day in Broward County March 14th

If you are a Broward County resident, Ironwood is one of the trees being given away free to attendees. This is a perfect opportunity to get one and see for yourself what a wonderful native tree this is.