Florida is rich in native trees and undoubtedly has a considerably larger number of such species than any other state in the Union. In the northern part are many species belonging in the colder part of the eastern United States, such as the oaks, hickories, ashes, maples and walnuts. Then a number of warm temperate forms occur, and in the southern part of the state there are considerably over one hundred species whose metropolis is in the American Tropics, or which have been derived from tropical forms. Many of our trees are quite ornamental and a considerable number of them have been cultivated.

Both the Georgia Pine (Pinus palustris) and the Caribbean pine (P. caribaea) are striking trees, quite ornamental, and good specimens should be left for ornament when ground is being cleared.

Tumion Taxifolium

Tumion Taxifolium, better known as Torreya taxifolia or Stinking Cedar, is a handsome tree related to the yews and has proved to be hardy much farther north than its native locality, the left bank of the Appalachicola River. It has been suggested that it be grown in a half shaded, somewhat moist location.

Juniperus Barbadensis

Juniperus Barbadensis, the red cedar of Florida, also found in the Bahamas and several of the West Indies, is often planted in cemeteries in the state and is the most attractive of the Junipers.

Casuarina Equisetifolia, Australian Pine

Casuarina Equisetifolia, Australian Pine, is not a pine at all nor any near relation thereto. It is a native of the Oriental Tropics but is now quite generally distributed throughout the warmer parts of the world. It is an exceedingly rapid grower with hard, durable wood of a reddish color and is often called Beefwood on this account. It has become completely naturalized on the lower keys and mainland and will flourish on any kind of soil, though it is quite tender. It is much used for shading roads and streets.

Quercus Laurifolia

Quercus Laurifolia, one of the water oaks, is a handsome, evergreen tree found growing wild as far south as Cape Romano on the west coast and Arch Creek on the east. It grows in moist, rich soil and ought to do well in any fairly good ground. It is one of the most beautiful of the oaks.

Quercus Virginiana, Live Oak

A majestic, evergreen tree, attaining a great height and spread, common generally throughout the lower south in good soil. It is universally respected and allowed to stand in the vicinity of dwellings wherever it is native, and is* often planted for ornament. It is a rapid grower when young and would probably do well in ordinary pine land if fertilized and cared for. It more or less completely sheds its leaves in late winter, but is soon covered with pale new foliage which rapidly changes to dark green. When they are draped with long moss they are weirdly beautiful and are among the most striking objects of our southern forests.

Ulmus Americans, White Elm

It may not be generally known that this tree extends south to Peace Creek on the west coast of Florida and to Cape Canaveral on the east side. It will no doubt do well when planted as an ornamental in good soil throughout the greater part of the state.

Celtis Occidentalis, Hackberry

A fine tree which ranges down to near the extreme southern end of the state, which is sometimes planted for shade and ornament in the south.

Ficus Aurea, Or Wild Fig

Ficus Aurea, Or Wild Fig, is a common tree in the southern half of the state, and is often planted for ornament. It retains its glossy, leathery leaves usually until near spring when suddenly they turn yellow and are apparently pushed off by the new ones. Sometimes a part of a tree will be almost entirely bare during this process while another part will be clothed with the rich green leaves of the last year; in another part they may be yellow and in still another place the new leaves will be showing. The tree attains its greatest size and development on the southeast coast, where it drops its air roots in such great profusion that they often twist into ropes or glue themselves to one or more of the trunks. In the course of years the tree becomes a veritable banyan and is one of the most striking vegetable productions of Florida. F. populnea, a closely related species with smaller leaves, also throws out air roots and becomes a banyan. Both are stranglers, each often beginning life from a seed dropped by a bird on the trunk of a tree where it germinates, and by sending down its air roots eventually strangles its host. Later the poor tree decays and the Ficus, having become an almost solid cylinder, begins to grow on the inside, thus for a time becoming an endogen, and finally it forms a solid trunk. At this stage no one would suspect that it had ever been a strangling epiphyte.

Coccolobis Uvifera, Shore Grape

Coccolobis Uvifera, Shore Grape, grows abundantly along seashores throughout the southern half of the state. It has large, almost round, very thick, glossy leaves, and bears long spikes of purplish fruits of a rather pleasant, subacid taste. The young leaves are of various shades of red and when mature have red veins; when dying they become a splendid orange, red or purple. Charles Kingsley said it was the most beautiful broad leafed plant he had ever seen. Ordinarily it grows as a great, straggling shrub or half tree but when given room and attention it becomes a good sized tree. It may be grown from seed or dug up from the shore and transplanted. C. laurifolia, the Pigeon Plum, which is somewhat more tender, is also a handsome tree.