SPRING HILL

Just in the nick of time, with summer around the corner, Don and Ellyn Pulver have swung open the doors on the Sweet Spot, a multi-flavored ice cream parlor where customers can chill out.

Retirees in the adjacent Timber Pines community and elsewhere likely remember the famous boast of the Howard Johnson's restaurant chain: "Twenty-eight flavors."

At Sweet Spot, try 34 flavors — or perhaps put in a request from a total 150 varieties created by the parlor's supplier, "right here in Florida," Don Pulver noted.

"Spumoni," he mused, as he dug out a well-rounded scoop. "I've heard nobody around here has it." A regular cone: "two scoops and a little more."

Pulver, 63, retired from a career in retail administration, but not from a lifelong interest in food.

"Ice cream sounded like a fun business," he said, "so here we are."

His gesture took in the spiffy-clean surroundings, with ice cream-color decor, heroic circles of pastels replicating the commercial ice cream containers. Little tables and bentwood-style chairs of a bygone era provide a place for customers to sit.

"When you walk in, it's like an ice cream parlor," said Lauren Jolly of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. "It's so cheery and so colorful."

Pulver and his wife researched suppliers online, toured the manufacturing plant of the Ice Cream Club in Boynton Beach and tasted samples.

"We said this is the one. They've won lots of awards, most recently for their chocolate," he said, pointing out a deeply dark concoction.

While chocolate may seem pedestrian, Pulver said it ranks among the top three choices of customers at the shop, joined by butter pecan and caramel caribou.

The adventuresome might order up a cone, sundae or milk shake from a tub of "garbage can." Its label explains that the vanilla ice cream base is chocked with bits of seven kinds of candy bars, plus handfuls of peanuts.

Cherry oblivion, key lime pie and blue moon flavors rank among the 24 on display. Ten more in a back-room freezer — carrot cake among them — appear on a rotation basis.

With a decorator's skill, Ellyn Pulver designs and builds the shop's ice cream cakes. She makes mini-cheesecake pops, finishing the treats-on-a-stick with a chocolate coating.

The Pulvers recently expanded their sandwich menu, originally limited to homemade sloppy joes and hot dogs with six topping choices. New are egg salad and chicken salad fillings, along with meatball, sausage and eggplant subs, the mainstays all ladled with Ellyn's homemade tomato sauce and blanketed in Parmesan cheese.

The next treat she has in mind: individual cheesecakes.

Don Pulver is trying to perfect a pizza dough and sauce.

"But until I get it right," he said, "I'm not going to bring it out."

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Beth Gray can be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net.

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.”

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.

Summary of 39 Trees Native to Florida

Watch a Gargantuan Komodo Dragon Effortlessly Swallow a Wild Boar

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About the Author

I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. I live in the Pacific Northwest and am surrounded by nature. When I go for my daily runs I often see herds of elk, deer, and bald eagles. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How are cypress trees grown in Florida?

Cypress 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.

What is a conifer?

A cone-bearing plant.

Florida is home to seven species of native pines, which are part of the larger pine family of cone-bearing plants (conifers).

Why is the Florida elm an important part of its ecology?

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.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

Arlo Kane/Contributor Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

You have just harvested your timber stand, and now have at least 20 acres cleared. What do you do next? If you are going to replant pines in your cutover, you have two basic options here in Florida. You can plant longleaf pine or you can plant slash or loblolly pines. I combine loblolly and slash because the decision-making process is similar for those species, yet different for longleaf. If you have drier sandy soils, then longleaf is your best choice. It grows better than any other pine in sandy soils with the exception of sand pine. Sand pine though is not a great choice for commercial stands because it’s only used for pulpwood, the lowest value product. If you have wet soils, then you would look to slash or loblolly pines and a forester can help you decide which is best for your land. If you have good loamy soil that is not frequently flooded or ponded, then you could reasonably plant any of the three main commercial species. So how do you decide when soil is not an issue? Well, longleaf is usually planted using containerized plugs that cost around $200 thousand. Slash and loblolly are usually planted using bare-root seedlings that cost around $60/thousand. But factor in your chances of receiving cost-share money to help establish a stand and the cost of longleaf comes way down. Longleaf pine is the focus of most state and federal cost-share programs and you are much more likely to get a contract to plant longleaf than you are to plant slash or loblolly. Although longleaf can cost more on the front end to establish, it recoups the cost all along the way. A longleaf forest can be leased to hunters for more money because it makes better wildlife habitat. Longleaf has a more open structure to its branches that allow more sunlight on the ground and that allows more herbaceous ground cover, which means more food and more nesting cover. It can be burned as early as one year after planting, which reduces competition from brush. So whether you are leasing your land for deer, turkey or quail, a longleaf pine forest can command a higher fee. Longleaf pine straw is also the most preferred pine straw used for landscaping and commands a higher price. Landowners can be paid twice as much for longleaf pine straw compared to slash and three times more than loblolly pine straw, which is the lowest grade. When harvest time comes you are likely to have many more poles and saw timber with longleaf than slash or loblolly. I am partial to longleaf because you have so many more options than with the other species. Landowners often focus on the upfront cost and how fast slash and loblolly grow in the first 10 years. But you never know what the market will look like 10 or 20 years down the road and longleaf will catch up to slash and loblolly by age 20. Longleaf is more disease resistant, aesthetically pleasing, wildlife-friendly, hurricane resistant and therefore is a better tree for reducing financial risk. So if you can produce more valuable products, and have the flexibility to let the timber ride out bad markets, then longleaf is a better choice. There are several organizations can help you establish, restore and manage longleaf pine. A variety of programs are also available to help improve wildlife habitat on your forest: • The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has several programs that supply financial and technical assistance to plant longleaf pine in Florida. The Longleaf Pine Initiative is available to forest owners in select counties and Working Lands for Wildlife is for enhancing habitat for the gopher tortoise. Landowners apply through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program. A district conservationist at your local USDA service center will help guide you through the application process. • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a Landowner Assistance Program biologists provide technical assistance to manage and restore longleaf pine and manage wildlife habitat. They can also provide information about cost-share opportunities. • Florida Forest Service can give county foresters technical assistance in managing their stands. • The Longleaf Alliance website offers a comprehensive source of information, history, education, workshops and management information for restoring the longleaf pine ecosystem. • America’s Longleaf website also provides a comprehensive resource, including workshops and reports for timber farmers.

Slash Pine, Pinus eliottii, and the naturally-occurring variety called South Florida Slash Pine, P. eliottii var densa, are fast-growing, native, evergreen Florida pines of great commercial importance. Original Slash Pine grows in cold hardiness zones 8 to 10 in inland and coastal flatwoods from South Carolina south to southern Peninsular Florida and west to Louisiana along the coastal plain. South Florida Slash Pine is best suited to warmer South Florida zones 10 and 11. Both like well-drained but moist, sandy soil that is slightly acidic with a pH from 5 to 7. Sand Pines offer food, cover and nesting sites for birds and small animals.

Fast-growing Slash Pine has a 18- to 30-foot-tall single trunk at about 20 years old and a canopy spread of more than 20 feet in diameter. If given room to grow as a lawn specimen or in a small grove, it will grow sturdy, spreading branches quite low and also high on the trunk and have an oval-shaped crown. This species is commercially planted 5 to 10 feet between trees in straight rows about 10 feet apart as a harvestable forest product tree. Because the trees are crowded closely together they grow straight and tall reaching for sunlight and naturally shed their small-diameter lower branches quickly as they grow skyward. This forced growth pattern yields straight timber with fewer and smaller knots than uncrowded specimen trees. The trees can be harvested in just 20 years for pulp and paper. Sometimes every other tree is removed to allow the other half to grow wider in diameter for later harvest as timber and milled lumber products.

Improved varieties of Slash Pines are more resistant to known pests like fusiform rust and insects like pine tip moths and colaspis beetles. Pines stressed by construction root disturbance, bark damage or drought are more susceptible to these pests. Male pines have pollen in the spring and spray it into the air for wind-borne pollination onto female flowers, which will then produce cones with viable seeds. Pine and oak tree pollen are significant allergens in spring.

Shiny brown Slash Pine cones are 3 to 6 inches long, much smaller than Longleaf, P. palustris, cones. Slash cones have thin scales with fine prickles. Wood of both these pines is strong, straight and relatively hard for pines. Thick bark plates flaking on Slash Pine trunks are smaller than on the Longleaf. Slash trunks can grow 24 inches in diameter. The Slash’s moderate taproot is much shallower than the Longleaf’s. Slash Pine needles are held in fascicles of two or three and are up to 12 inches long.

For garden top mulch, pine “straw” needles can be raked for free beneath either pine species in many neighborhoods. Some parks, churches and golf courses will allow neighbors to remove piles of unwanted pine straw if you ask the right person politely. Commercial forest plantations are carefully spaced for mechanical harvesting of pine needles these days. While the Slash Pines take years to grow to harvestable size, they shed their needles mainly twice a year (from my personal observations).

It is interesting to see both methods of needle gathering in forests nearby. Nowadays, small tractors efficiently rake the needles into windrows and a second machine follows to bale them into long rolls and tie them for easy transportation to market. Similar in size to the newer rolls, a 13 x 14 x 27 inch square bale of sustainable pine straw weighs about 20 pounds and covers 25 square feet at 3.5 inches thick.

A roll or bale covers twice as much ground as a bag of traditional pine bark or blended cypress mulch, which involves killing trees. If just top dressing old pine needles, a new bale or roll will cover twice as much area.

Jane Weber is a professional gardener and consultant. Semi-retired, she grows thousands of native plants. Visitors are welcome to her Dunnellon, Marion County, garden. Contact her at jweber12385@gmail.com or phone 352-249-6899.