UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail:  dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu

October 27, 2004

Feature Article - for release the week of October 31, 2004

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

This week voters will have the chance to express their views and opinions at the ballot box, and hopefully by the end of the week we will have a consensus on whether the country stays in the red or moves to the blue. I’d like to suggest that in addition to this civic duty, locals may also vote for the greening of America - by planting trees.

Many of our native sons and daughters were "elected" to mulch piles from a grassroots effort by the west -winds of Frances and Jeanne. If you are pineing for some replacements, the Florida Division of Forestry can help property owners to select replacements for these missing veterans.

Each year, the Florida Department of Agriculture collects seed from five different kind of pine trees and grows them at the Division of Forestry’s Andrews Nursery in Chiefland, Florida. The seedlings are offered to Floridians at a very reasonable price as a way to serve and support the reforestation need of our state.

Pine Flatwoods (left) dominate south central Florida.

The slash pine seedling (above) can mature into a tree valued for its wood, wildlife habitat and roadside beauty (right).

Many newer residents of our area have moved on to ranchettes, where larger pastures have been subdivided and fenced to hold small numbers of cattle or horses. Animals appreciate the shade that pine trees provide, and the value of trees to moderating summer temperatures is obvious. Many kinds of wildlife depend upon pine trees for their homes. Our Extension office and the Division’s Foresters can help property owners determine where to best plant seedlings so they will not have storm-related impact on homes, fences or power lines.

While five species of seedlings are generally made available, only two are generally recommended for our area. District Forester Jim Rath reports that the traditional South Florida Slash Pine may be in short supply next growing season, as winds have taken the pine cones out of many of the trees that supply the seed crop.

However, he assures me that these should be an ample supply of the Improved, First Generation, Andrew's 'X' Slash Pine. These trees will look much like the Slash Pines that dot our local fields and forests, but they have shown to have a greater resistance to several of the pine bark beetles and fusiform rust, the major pests of developing pine trees in our area.   

Seedlings of the Long leaf Pine, the Improved First generation Longleaf Pine, and the Improved Ocala Sand Pine are also available from the Division. However, they do not grow well under local soil and climatic conditions, and are not recommended in this area. The Extension Service can supply you with additional information on tree planting and even forest management practices.

If you work for a governmental body, you might also like to know that Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress (left) seedlings are also available from the Andrews Nursery. These are not available to private landowners.  Several years ago, the Division of Forestry offered a larger variety of tree species, tree seed, and even made available container grown trees. They no longer provide this service, rather, they encourage Floridians to visit local nurseries to obtain other kinds of young trees.

Pine tree seedlings are sold in quantities of 250, 500 or 1000.  The prices for these quantities of  "Andrew’s Slash Pines" are $24, $29, $35.  And, unless you drive to Chiefland to pick them up, plan on adding $5 per thousand to have them shipped to the Okeechobee District Office.

Delivery dates for Okeechobee are scheduled for Saturdays:  December 17, 2005,  and in 2006, January 14 and  February 11. Seedlings should be picked up within 3 days of their delivery here in Okeechobee. To avoid disappointments, place your order early.

Tree seedling order forms  can be picked up and orders can placed at the Okeechobee District office of the Division of Forestry, located on 5200 Hwy 441, north of Okeechobee.  Their phone number is 863-462-5160.  District Manager Jim Rath also says that the order forms can also be obtained from County Forester Dale Armstrong at his office in Fort Pierce; his phone number is 772-467-3004.  Our office will also be making order forms available as well.

More detailed information on ordering tree seedlings can be obtained from the Division or Forestry’s web page .  Master Gardeners can answer your questions about your Florida Yard - call or visit them on Tuesday afternoons here at our office.  If you need additional information on pine trees, visit out webpage at http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu, or stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North. Our phone number is (863) 763-6469, and you can email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu .

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References:

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean This page is maintained by  Dan Culbert      Last update: 10/11/2005