Ganoderma Root Rot: The Fungal Killer Targeting Palms and Hardwoods Across Northeast Florida
July 23, 2026
Quick Answer: Ganoderma root and butt rot is a fatal fungal disease that decays the base and lower trunk of palms and hardwoods from the inside out. The clearest sign is a reddish-brown, shelf-like conk at the base of the trunk, which appears only after the internal rot is already advanced. There is no cure […]
The Real Risk of Topping a Tree in Jacksonville’s Hurricane Climate, and Why It Makes Trees More Dangerous
July 23, 2026
Quick Answer: Topping, cutting a tree’s main branches back to stubs, does the opposite of what people hope. It does not make a tree hurricane-safe. It forces a flush of fast, weakly attached regrowth (water sprouts) that breaks off easily, while the open stub wounds invite decay that rots the very limbs holding that regrowth […]
How Florida’s Tree Canopy Ordinances in Duval County Affect What You Can Remove Without a Permit
July 23, 2026
Quick Answer: In Jacksonville and Duval County, removing trees on private property is regulated by the city’s tree protection and canopy rules, which can require a permit and tree mitigation depending on the tree’s size, species, and location. Smaller trees and many routine removals may be exempt, but protected and heritage trees usually are not. […]
Why Jacksonville’s Urban Forest Is Dominated by Water Oaks, and What That Means for Your Property
July 23, 2026
Quick Answer: Water oaks dominate Jacksonville’s canopy because they grow fast, self-seed aggressively, and were widely planted for quick shade across mid-century neighborhoods. The catch is lifespan: water oaks typically live only 60 to 80 years and begin decaying internally decades earlier, often while the canopy still looks full. Many of Jacksonville’s water oaks are […]
Laurel Wilt Disease: The Invasive Pathogen Killing Redbay and Avocado Trees Across Northeast Florida
July 22, 2026
A healthy redbay can go from green and thriving to completely dead in less than two months. Across Northeast Florida, laurel wilt disease is wiping out redbay, swampbay, sassafras, and avocado trees at an alarming rate. Because there is no practical cure once symptoms appear, recognizing the warning signs early is the only real defense […]
