Category: Natural Resources

Reviving Elms: Lessons from Dutch Elm Disease and Strategies for Healthy Urban Forests

by Jamie Daugherty
August 27, 2025

The introduction of Dutch elm disease in the 1930s marked a turning point in American urban forestry. Millions of the once iconic elm trees across the U.S. were lost. The disease originated in Asia, where native elm species show some natural ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Tree Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension

The Longleaf Pine: A Keystone of Florida’s Pine Grassland Ecosystems

by Jamie Daugherty
August 15, 2025

Keystone species are critical because entire ecosystems rely on their presence to remain balanced. If removed, the ecological structure may collapse. They differ from indicator species, which reflect the health and maturity of an ecosystem rather ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Longleaf Pine, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension, Urban Trees

Sensational Sand Pines (Pinus clausa)

by Jamie Daugherty
August 6, 2025

The Sand Pine (Pinus clausa) is our only native pine harvested as a Christmas tree. Its compact, conical shape and dense, waxy needles make it perfect for seasonal decorating and year-round appeal. If you need a trick to remember its name Latin ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Pines, Sand Pine, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extenstion

Strange Palm Growth? It Might Be a Boron Deficiency

by Jamie Daugherty
July 30, 2025

If you manage palms, you know they need high-quality fertilizer applied regularly. Using a fertilizer that isn’t properly balanced for palms can lead to nutrient deficiencies—some of which mimic disease symptoms or make your palm appear ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Nutrient Deficiency, Palm Care, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension

Tabebuia in Bloom: A Tale of Two Spectacular Shades

by Jamie Daugherty
July 25, 2025

In Central Florida, we are fortunate to enjoy not one, but two stunning species of Tabebuia that add bursts of seasonal color to our landscape. These showy trees are part of the Bignoniaceae family, known for their impressive trumpet-shaped ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Flowering Tree, Golden Trumpet Tree, Handroanthus Chrysotricha, HHandroanthus Pentaphyllus, Pink Trumpet Tree, Tabebuia, Tabebuia Chrysotricha, Tabebuia Heterophylla
Iguana at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.

Wildlife & Invasive Species Education™ (WISE) Free Webinars

by Jim Davis
June 2, 2025

Protect Native Wildlife & Fight Invasive Species with W.I.S.E. Webinars – Free in 2025! Join the 2025 Wildlife & Invasive Species Education™ (W.I.S.E.) webinar series to explore the fascinating world of native wildlife and learn ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Backyard Wildlife, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Species, Master Naturalist, Wildlife

Impact Your Community as a Master Gardener Volunteer-Apply Now!

by Lisa Sanderson
May 28, 2025

Impact your community as a Master Gardener Volunteer!  The Master Gardener Volunteer Program with UF/IFAS Extension in Sumter County is no longer accepting applications for the class starting Fall 2025. Master Gardener Classes The Master ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water
Tags: Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteer, New Master Gardener Class, Sumter County Demo Garden, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Water Quality
various water features in Florida

Water Wednesday Recap: Is Xeriscaping for Florida?

by Yilin
May 23, 2024

Are you curious about xeriscaping and how we can establish it in the Sunshine State? This Water Wednesday, Jamielyn Daugherty, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Urban Forestry Agent in Sumter County gave us an overview of xeriscaping and ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Ecosystem, Florida Friendly, Landscaping, Water Conservation, Water Wednesday, Xeriscaping

Private Well and Septic System Care Workshop in Sumter County

by Yilin
January 23, 2024

Join Us for a Workshop on Private Drinking Well Maintenance, Well Water Quality, and Septic System Care! Are you concerned about the safety of your drinking water and the health of your septic system? Your worries end here! We are excited ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Drinking Water, Event, Florida Well Owner Network, FWON, Onsite Sewer, Private Well, Septic System, Water Quality, Water Testing, Well Water

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