The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Timber Pines, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in Timber Pines, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Timber Pines, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Timber Pines, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in Timber Pines, FL
New wage data shows Citrus residents average $46,463 annually
Michael D. Bates Chronicle Reporterhttps://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/new-wage-data-shows-citrus-residents-average-46-463-annually/article_a86d04a2-1e82-52d4-b692-e2c6a94fda58.html
The average annual wage of a Citrus County worker is $46,463, or $22.49 an hour, according to a new Florida Commerce wage report.That is more than neighboring Hernando County, which saw an annual wage of $44,247 and $21.27 an hour.Other report highlights: Sumter County, $51,404; Marion County: $47,344.Citrus County’s population is 155,173, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That compares to Hernando County’s population of 196,621, Sumter’s population of 131,832 and Marion’s population of 378.225...
The average annual wage of a Citrus County worker is $46,463, or $22.49 an hour, according to a new Florida Commerce wage report.
That is more than neighboring Hernando County, which saw an annual wage of $44,247 and $21.27 an hour.
Other report highlights: Sumter County, $51,404; Marion County: $47,344.
Citrus County’s population is 155,173, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That compares to Hernando County’s population of 196,621, Sumter’s population of 131,832 and Marion’s population of 378.225.
Meanwhile, a recent report prepared for the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, shows 34.4 percent of residents travel outside of the county to work, with most going to Marion and Sumter counties.
Conversely, 12.7 percent of people commute from elsewhere into Citrus County for work, with Hernando and Marion counties the two largest feeder counties.
A majority of residents (52.9 percent) work within Citrus County.
The average Citrus County resident travels 27.5 minutes to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.5 percent lower than the state average.
Long-distance commuters (those who travel one hour or more to work) came in 9.1 percent.
The jobs that pay the most in Citrus County are healthcare practitioners and technical workers, whose pay exceeds $30 an hour.
Coming in second are teachers, educational instruction and library workers, whose per-hour salary is nudging $25.
Installation, maintenance and repair workers come in third with hourly pay about $18 an hour.
County and business leaders have long said the key to Citrus County’s economy is to diversify the economy, attract high-paying jobs and shift more of the tax base off the shoulders of residents.
“Our objective is to build a stronger and more balanced economy that will provide better-paying skilled and professional level jobs and lessen the tax burden on homeowners and seniors,” County Commissioner Ruthie Schlabach said in her recent state-of-the-county address.
The county is banking on the under-construction Inverness Airport Business Park to be a catalyst for new jobs and investment. Once built, it is expected to create more than 800 jobs for the local workforce and generate a combined economic impact of more than $200 million.
Michael D. Bates is a staff writer with the Citrus County Chronicle and can be reached at mbates@chronicleonline.com.
New GM at Sea Oaks brings love of arts to the community
Vero Newshttps://veronews.com/2023/03/23/new-gm-at-sea-oaks-brings-love-of-arts-to-the-community/
As one highly regarded general manager retires from Sea Oaks Beach & Tennis Club after 37 years of service, the barrier island membership community welcomes a distinguished and innovative replacement in Kevin Sibbring.The incoming general manager and COO brings a stellar 17-year track record to Sea Oaks from Lakeside, Ohio, and the 1,400-acre Timber Pines club community north of Tampa to fill the shoes of longtime leader Pamela Dawson.Originally from Columbus, Ohio, and now in his second career, Sibbring, 62, got his start ...
As one highly regarded general manager retires from Sea Oaks Beach & Tennis Club after 37 years of service, the barrier island membership community welcomes a distinguished and innovative replacement in Kevin Sibbring.
The incoming general manager and COO brings a stellar 17-year track record to Sea Oaks from Lakeside, Ohio, and the 1,400-acre Timber Pines club community north of Tampa to fill the shoes of longtime leader Pamela Dawson.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, and now in his second career, Sibbring, 62, got his start in community management in 2006 after serving as president of The Lakeside Association in Ohio, a historic, year-round Chautauqua community. That’s where Sibbring honed his skills in programming and hospitality, or what Sibbring refers to as servant leadership to his community.
“We produced a 12-week program focused on arts and education and recreation.
Chautauquas were kind of a mind, body, spirit thing before the term ‘wellness’ was ever created,” Sibbring said. “It was 85 nights of evening entertainment. I’m passionate about the arts and that’s what really excites me about moving to Vero Beach.”
Sibbring’s transition into community leadership came after an early career in the tech industry. Sibbring had worked his way up to vice president of global marketing for the business communications software firm Sterling Commerce before the company was sold to SBC.
In 2005, Sibbring met Dr. Robert A. Brymer, a Lakeside resident who taught in Florida State University’s hospitality school. Brymer mentored Sibbring personally and handed down his knowledge of the hotel industry.
“I knew that Lakeside, at the time, was in need of new leadership that had a new vision for the community,” Brymer said. “I felt that Kevin would be the right person to do that and I that I might lend some assistance in establishing a real emphasis on service and service quality for the residents and guests. I can’t take credit for instilling that in Kevin; that’s who he is. It defines him as part of his character.”
Sibbring’s “civic-mindedness,” as Brymer referred to it, has been foundational in what he provides to communities. One such example was Sibbring’s service to the Lake Erie Foundation, a body of water that is a veritable “poster child” for algal blooms – a malady that also plagues the Indian River Lagoon.
“Lake Erie looked like you just poured green antifreeze into the lake,” Sibbring said. “I did a lot of state and national lobbying on behalf of the Great Lakes, so I bring that sensibility to Vero Beach.”
Alongside the arts, education and community programming as displayed at the chautauqua, his passion for the natural world, such as hobby birding, nature photography and gardening has also served residents.
“Along with Bird Watcher’s Digest, we produced the Midwest Birding Symposium and brought in about 2,500 people from all over the world,” Sibbring said.
Brymer said Sibbring also took the arts programming at Lakeside and “put it on steroids.”
“Kevin is the kind of person that will get involved with volunteering and get involved with the local arts of Sea Oaks, but also the local community around there,” Brymer said.
Sibbring’s predecessor at Sea Oaks, Dawson, worked her way up through community’s organization, taking over as general manager in 2009. As property manager, she had guided the community through the hurricanes of 2004, and has overseen major renovations and modernizations to the community.
Sibbring said he has immense respect for what Dawson built in the Sea Oaks community.
“She’s been there 37 years … so she leaves quite a legacy,” Sibbring said.
Sibbring said Sea Oaks – which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – is characterized by its good people with philanthropic spirits. Those elements, on top of the breathtaking scenery, were prime attractors to the area for Sibbring.
“I guess I’m kind of ready to settle down. Moving to Vero Beach is going to be my last move,” Sibbring said. “I’d like to serve Sea Oaks here for the next decade. I’d love to retire in Vero Beach, it feels very much like home to me.”
Spring Hill farmers market moves up the road, gains parking and possibly more vendors
Tampa Bay Timeshttps://www.tampabay.com/hernando/hernando-county-farmers-market-moves-up-the-road-gains-parking-and-possibly-more-vendors-20190708/
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SPRING HILL — Customers and vendors alike are cheering the Hernando County Farmers Market's recent move to the parking lot fronting Towne Square Mall.
Relocating from a similar lot at Rural King, a scant mile north on U.S. 19, has accorded the Spring Hill market patrons more parking and easier access via a traffic light at its entrance. Vendors praise a more organized layout of booths, higher visibility that attracts on-a-whim customers and new shoppers drawn from mall patrons and the nearby Timber Pines development.
"Everybody came," said organizer Desiree Canora of vendors from the Rural King site, where independent sellers gathered every Saturday for eight years. "In the peak season, when the Northerners are here, we'll expand."
Vendors number about 35, occupying some 2,400 square feet and served by at least 200 parking slots.
"We have a waiting list of vendors," Canora said. "We're being a little pickier this time. It's truly all about the vendors' quality." She and co-leader Tammy Patrick also want to avoid vendors competing against vendors.
"One person who sells soap, one person who sells honey," Canora said. "We want to keep to farm, homemade, handmade, even a small business that can't afford a storefront."
A recent Saturday visit revealed charter member Beasley Farm, whose fresh produce spread across 60 feet of tables. Also for sale were Amish-made bologna, cheeses, jams and relishes, and a women's casual clothier, plus herbal cosmetics and supplements, honey, gluten-free baked goods, handmade jewelry, pet food and supplies, heirloom vegetable plants and seeds, woodcrafts and lawn ornaments.
Repeat shopper Melanie Paradise-Wathen of Spring Hill, who came to buy Amish hot pepper jam, likes the new location.
"I think it's actually better," she said, "a little better organized."
On the warm morning, Cassandra Kreig of Spring Hill arrived at the Jen & Jen clothier booth bearing iced coffee for entrepreneurs Jen Harper and Jen Thomas.
"They make you feel like family," Kreig said. She's shopped their both for a year.
The double-sized booth of the Humane Society of Hernando County was selling pet supplies.
"Customers have followed us, absolutely," said Sandy Berg.
Her cohort, Sue Krahula, praised the parking.
"Even golf carts come over," from Timber Pines, she said.
Rural King assistant manager Mark McCabe said the farmers market and farm and home supply store benefitted from each other's presence, but parking was becoming a challenge.
"The farmers market took up approximately 30 percent of our space. Parking spaces for our customers became more and more important," he said, especially on the store's busiest day of the week.
"We're very, very supportive of them," McCabe added. "We tell people exactly where they are. We hope they're doing the same for us."
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Mall marketing manager Richard Sanbenero raved about his new addition.
"We've been trying to get them here for two years," he said last month. "We were packed last week."
The outdoor venue plays into the mall's plan for a new indoor endeavor it's calling Weekend Market — "a kind of garage-sale in air conditioning," Sanbenero said.
An aisle in a former big box store will be designated for part-time sellers of used goods on Fridays and weekends for $25 per day. Prospective sellers can contact him at (352) 340-7579.
Applicants for farmers market space can contact Canora at (352) 345-1446. The new address for the market is 3021 Commercial Way
Contact the writer at graybethn@earthlink.net.
Edible Arrangements opens in Spring Hill
Beth N. Grayhttps://www.tampabay.com/news/hernando/edible-arrangements-opens-in-spring-hill-20181011/
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Times Correspondent
SPRING HILL – On a recent Tuesday, immersed in fancy fruits, her apron smudged in chocolate, Christy Morrow was too busy to chat.
She's a produce handler-cum-artist-cum-florist at Edible Arrangements, which brought its celebratory comestibles to Hernando County in June. In corporate parlance, Morrow is a fruit specialist.
The company's decoratively arrayed fresh fruits are artsy, clever and who'd-have-imagined? Add to that, healthy and refreshing, said owner Victoria Wilson.
Edible Arrangement's twist on celebrating and gifting is for people "who want something different, rather than flowers that you look at, then (they) die," said Wilson, franchisee of the shop north of Timber Pines.
Wilson, 30, who's owned an Edible Arrangements outlet for a year in the city of Hernando in Citrus County, said most of her customers came from Hernando County, prompting her to open a shop here.
Her corporation, based in Atlanta, encourages successful operators to snap up more than one store in their corner of the country, saying small business owners on-site do better than far-off managers, according to a report by Forbes. Such franchise owners also can deliver regional tastes. The local shop is featuring oranges and pineapples for fall.
Alongside tabletop displays and boxed fancy fruits, Wilson said, "we're trying to get more walk-in traffic with new (individual) items." Such temptations, costing $5 each, include fruit smoothies, parfaits, salads, dipped "cones," and the latest, called a "froyo." It's fresh fruit whipped into frozen yogurt, yielding a tangy milkshake-mimic, spoon-or-straw treat.
Chocolate- or caramel-dipped fruit also brings customers through the door in Spring Hill, said manager Robin Paquette. Salted, caramel-dipped apples are the current favorite, she said. And she swoons over the chocolate-dipped banana encrusted with hazelnut crunch.
Not readily forgotten are the colossal Albion strawberries, used system-wide for their sweetness and longevity. They're dipped in semi-sweet or white chocolate, drizzled with the opposing chocolate, sprinkled with chocolate microdots, ground almonds, coconut flakes or hazelnut crunch. Dipped berries are $2.99 each with a bit more for sprinkles.
Centerpiece arrangements, gift baskets and boxed edibles are available in various sizes. Wilson said most customers make choices from photos on the Edible Arrangements website. They start at $19, but generally are in the $49 to $69 range.
Corporate event or wedding reception, wow-worthy arrangements top out at $699, comprised of hundreds of pieces of slickly-sliced fruits deployed in a 3-foot long container.
Those are built at the event site, but otherwise, Paquette and Morrow reproduce corporate designs at the Spring Hill store's kitchen, working out of two walk-in refrigerators stocked by a Tampa fruit vendor.
"We prepare our fruit the morning of, so everything's fresh," Morrow said. "Our most popular arrangement right now is the salted caramel harvest bouquet of apples, strawberries, grapes and oranges."
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Wilson, the on-site partner in the joint business endeavor with her mother, Cindy Williams, said the store's summer opening was deliberately set for "slower times" so they could sort out problems before the autumn and winter holidays and hostess needs.
"So far", said Paquette, "we haven't had any kinks." The former business executive, 54, came out of a boring retirement to work for her niece, Wilson.
"People keep coming in who didn't know we were here," Paquette said. "Once we have our grand opening, a lot of people will know."
Meanwhile, the shop is growing market share through word of mouth, she said. Wilson has undertaken direct mail advertising to area businesses and is promoting local specials and discounts on its website.
With busy-season holidays looming, Wilson urged customers to remember the lessor occasions for fruitful gifting. National Boss' Day, she reminded, is Oct. 16.
Contact Beth Gray at graybethn@easrthlink.net.
Summary of 39 Trees Native to Florida
Heather Hallhttps://a-z-animals.com/blog/13-majestic-trees-native-to-florida/
When it comes to choosing trees for your landscape, native Florida species are a great option. They look beautiful and are well-adapted to the climate and soil of the state. Smaller trees like redbuds or red maples will make any yard pop in the spring with their bright pink or red flowers, while larger options like bald cypresses or live oaks will provide shade and help create a statement piece in your landscape. It’s important to research each tree you’re considering so you know its exact needs when it comes to light, water, and...
When it comes to choosing trees for your landscape, native Florida species are a great option. They look beautiful and are well-adapted to the climate and soil of the state. Smaller trees like redbuds or red maples will make any yard pop in the spring with their bright pink or red flowers, while larger options like bald cypresses or live oaks will provide shade and help create a statement piece in your landscape. It’s important to research each tree you’re considering so you know its exact needs when it comes to light, water, and soil requirements; this is true even if you choose a native species. Some of our favorite native Florida trees include cypress, elm, and pines – all of which feature unique foliage that can add texture and interest to any garden!
Native Cypress Trees
Two types of cypress trees are native to Florida. These trees are important for the state’s economy and ecology. Cypress trees often grow in large, circular patches called cypress domes. In the middle of these cypress patches is usually a pond. There are also areas of marshland known as cypress savannas, which are mostly made up of pond cypress trees that grow in poor soil.
Native Oak Trees
There are many species of oak trees native to Florida, many of which are common and attractive. These trees provide valuable habitat and food for wildlife, and some offer showy autumn foliage. Oaks are typically strong and durable, and when pruned properly, many of them are fairly hurricane-resistant. Here are 11 of our favorite Florida oak trees.
Native Fruit Trees
There are many types of fruit trees native to Florida. There are also berries, vines, palms, and nuts that are edible and grow throughout the state. Many native plant species in Florida could potentially be domesticated and cultivated as new types of fruits and vegetables. These plants are resilient against pests and pathogens and can withstand extreme weather conditions, making these fruit trees ideal for Florida gardeners. Here are a few of our favorite fruit trees in Florida.
Native Pine Trees
Florida is home to seven species of native pines, which are part of the larger pine family of cone-bearing plants (conifers). These trees and shrubs are known for their diversity and hardiness, and they are evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves all year round. Although most pines are better adapted to cooler climates, the species that grow in Florida are able to thrive in warm weather.
The slash pine is one of the most iconic trees in Florida, growing in every climate zone from 7A to 11. This tree grows in the cooler half of Florida and up into the Smokey Mountains. Slash pines are extremely fast-growing and self-pruning, with a mature height that ranges between 75 – 100 feet tall.
The sand pine is a species of tree found in sandy areas throughout Florida. It can be identified by its zone range (7A through 10B) and size (15-40 feet tall). Sand pines have short needles 2-3 inches long and often have twisted trunks and branches.
Longleaf pines are native to Florida, and they prefer warm climates. They grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 7A through 10A, which encompass most of Florida. Longleaf pines are well-named. they have the longest needles of all pine species found in Florida. Some can reach a whopping 14 inches long.
Loblolly pine is a common choice for pine plantations in Florida. This tree often reaches between 50 and 80 feet tall but can grow up to 100 feet with a spreading crown. This pine does best in loamy soil and is almost never found in wet ground or sandy areas. Because loblolly quickly takes over unused fields, it is also called “old field pine.”
The pond pine is a type of tree found in North and Central Florida. These trees tend to grow in poorly drained areas, such as flatwoods or near ponds. Pond pines are often confused with loblolly pines because they have similar-looking needles. Both types of trees have needles that are 5-6 inches long and come in bundles of three (or sometimes two or four). However, pond pine cones are smaller, only 2-3 inches, and more egg-shaped.
Spruce pines are a species of evergreen trees native to the southeastern United States. Named for their silver-gray bark, reminding naturalists of spruce trees, they are one of Florida’s least common pines. Their location is in zones 8A through 9B. They can be found growing among loblollies and hardwood trees because they are the most shade-tolerant out of all the other types of pines in Florida.
Shortleaf pines are a species of coniferous tree native to only North Florida, west of the Suwannee River. While they occupy the same range and habitat as spruce pine, looking at the bark of mature trees is the best to tell them apart. Shortleaf pines have reddish-brown bark, while spruce pine has silvery gray bark. Additionally, shortleaf pines are identifiable by their cones. The cones are considerably smaller than those of other Florida pine species; with an average length ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length. They make for some of the smallest found in all varieties of Florida’s native pines.
Native Palm Trees
Are palm trees native to Florida? Although there are 12 palm trees native to Florida, only two of them are endemic. Florida is the only place you will find them. You can find the other ten palm trees native to Florida in other locations outside of Florida. Here are the 12 palm trees native to Florida:
Florida Elm
The Florida elm is a great choice for a long-living shade tree. It is fast-growing and can reach up to 80 feet tall. The leaves are dark green and fade to yellow in the fall. It also produces small green flowers in the spring. The Florida elm is moderately tolerant of drought and salt spray and is also used for making furniture and canoes.
Florida elm is an important part of the ecology in Florida. It provides food and shelter for wildlife, as well as shade from the hot summer sun. The seeds provide a valuable source of nutrition to many species of birds, including cardinals and mockingbirds. Rabbits, deer, and other small mammals eat its bark. In addition to providing food, the tree’s dense canopy creates a safe haven for animals such as squirrels or opossums seeking refuge from predators or inclement weather.
Florida Maple
The Florida maple is a beautiful tree that can reach up to 60 feet in height. It is known for its stunning fall colors, which can range from muted yellows to oranges. Older trees also have very attractive gray bark. This maple tree is ideal for use as an ornamental or shade tree in Florida due to its higher heat tolerance.
The Florida maple is an important tree for wildlife, providing an early spring source of nectar for bees and a home for birds and squirrels. Pollinators visit its flowers, and songbirds, bluejays, and mockingbirds eat its seeds.
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