Joel The Arborist

Joel The Arborist ISA Certified Arborist
Tree consulting with a focus on education and long-term health
Making tree and plant care simple for homeowners
Tampa Bay, FL

08/25/2026

High winds can quickly expose weaknesses that have been developing in a tree for years. šŸŒ³

This sand live oak (Quercus geminata) at Crest Lake Park recently experienced a significant branch failure during high winds. Decay was present at the branch bark union, and when the limb failed, much of the eastern side of the canopy was sheared away.

Itā€™s a significant injury, and this tree now has a long road to recovery. But a major failure like this doesnā€™t automatically mean a death sentence.

Live oaks can be incredibly resilient. Iā€™ve seen mature trees survive with extensive decay and even large hollow sections while continuing to produce healthy growth. The question now isnā€™t simply whether the tree can survive, but how it responds to this loss over time.

The remaining structure, wound response, canopy development, decay progression, and overall tree health will all need to be monitored as this tree begins its recovery.

Sometimes arboriculture isnā€™t about immediately removing a damaged tree. Itā€™s about understanding the biology, evaluating the remaining structure, and giving a resilient tree the opportunity to respond.

08/21/2026

A little bit of everything from the 2026 FNGLA Landscape Show! šŸŒæ

One of my favorite things about attending industry events like this is getting to see where horticulture is headed. From incredible plant displays and new varieties to native plant growers, organic fertilizer options, and some of the newest equipment hitting the industry, there was plenty to check out.

I was especially excited to see native Florida plants getting some representation on the trade show floor. As demand for natives continues to grow, I hope we continue seeing more of them incorporated into the horticulture and landscape industry.

The equipment was pretty impressive too, especially seeing how far commercial electric mowers and other battery-powered equipment have come.

Of course, I couldnā€™t leave without picking a favorite plant specimen. That award went to an incredible gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba). šŸŒ³

And what better way to finish the day than sitting in on a lecture about plant growth regulators and learning something new?

Thereā€™s always more to learn in this industry, and thatā€™s part of what makes horticulture so interesting.

08/04/2026

One of Floridaā€™s most destructive invasive plants started as a landscape favorite.

šŸŒæ Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia) was introduced from South America in the late 1800s because of its attractive foliage, bright red berries, and ability to form dense hedges. Unfortunately, it didnā€™t stay where it was planted.

By winter, Brazilian pepper produces thousands of bright red berries that are eagerly eaten by birds. Those birds then disperse the seeds into Floridaā€™s forests, wetlands, and other natural areas.

Once established, Brazilian pepper grows rapidly, forms dense evergreen thickets that shade out native plants, and can dramatically reduce biodiversity by replacing the diverse plant communities that wildlife depend on.

If you have Brazilian pepper growing on your property, now is one of the best times to manage it before it begins producing berries. Removing it before fruit develops helps reduce the number of seeds that birds can spread throughout Floridaā€™s natural ecosystems.

Every invasive plant has a story. Understanding that story is the first step toward protecting Floridaā€™s native habitats.

Joel the Arborist

07/31/2026

šŸŒæ Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) is a popular ornamental native to Central and South America that was introduced to Florida through the ornamental plant trade during the early 1900s. Like many invasive plants, what began as a landscape and houseplant eventually escaped cultivation.

One of the most fascinating things about this species is that it exhibits heterophylly, meaning a single plant produces different leaf shapes during its lifetime. The juvenile plant has the familiar arrowhead-shaped leaves most people recognize, but once it begins climbing trees, the mature leaves become much larger and deeply lobed, making it look like an entirely different species.

In Floridaā€™s natural areas, arrowhead vine spreads by rooting at its nodes and climbing trees with aerial roots. Over time, it can blanket tree trunks and spread through the forest understory, competing with native vegetation for sunlight and space.

Itā€™s another reminder that even our favorite ornamental plants can become ecological problems when they escape into the wild.

Have you ever seen arrowhead vine growing outside of a garden or home? Let me know in the comments!

Joel the Arborist

07/21/2026

šŸŒ± Torpedograss (Panicum repens) was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s because it was thought to be useful for forage and erosion control. Like many invasive species, what began as a well-intentioned introduction eventually escaped cultivation.

Unlike many invasive plants, torpedograss spreads primarily through underground rhizomes rather than seeds. Even small rhizome fragments left behind after mowing, flooding, or excavation can grow into entirely new plants, making this species incredibly difficult to control.

Once established, torpedograss forms dense stands that crowd out native vegetation along wetlands, lakeshores, canals, and other natural areas. Because it spreads below the surface, infestations can become extensive before theyā€™re even noticed.

Managing torpedograss isnā€™t a one-time job. Successful control often requires repeated treatments and long-term monitoring because any surviving rhizomes can produce new growth.

Have you ever dealt with torpedograss? Let me know where youā€™ve seen it in the comments!

07/15/2026

One of the most potent plant toxins in the plant kingdom is growing right here in Florida. šŸŒæ

This is rosary pea (Abrus precatorius), a Category I invasive vine native to Asia and Africa. It was introduced to Florida as an ornamental before 1932 because of its delicate flowers and distinctive red and black seeds, which were commonly used to make jewelry and rosaries.

Despite its beauty, rosary pea contains abrin, one of the most potent plant toxins in the plant kingdom. While the toxin is found throughout the plant, itā€™s most highly concentrated in the seeds.

The good news is that simply handling an intact seed isnā€™t usually dangerous. The greatest risk comes when a seed is chewed or crushed before being swallowed.
Beyond its toxicity, rosary pea is an aggressive invasive vine. It climbs over shrubs and trees, forming dense mats that smother native vegetation and block sunlight from reaching the plants below.

Its hard-coated seeds can remain viable for years and are spread by water, wildlife, and human activity, allowing this vine to establish new populations throughout Florida.

Like many invasive plants, rosary peaā€™s story began with people. It was introduced because it was attractive, but once it escaped cultivation, it found Florida to be the perfect place to thrive.

Every invasive plant has a story. Understanding that story is the first step toward protecting Floridaā€™s native ecosystems.

Joel the Arborist

07/07/2026

This invasive palm is slowly creeping into Floridaā€™s natural ecosystems, and most people donā€™t even realize it doesnā€™t belong here.

This is queen palm, Syagrus romanzoffiana.

Native to South America, queen palm was introduced to Florida in the early 1900s and became popular in the horticultural trade because of its fast growth, tropical appearance, and ability to create an instant landscape effect.

For decades, it was planted heavily in neighborhoods, commercial landscapes, and streetscapes across the state.

The problem is that it doesnā€™t always stay where itā€™s planted.

When the bright orange fruits ripen, birds and other wildlife eat them and disperse the seeds into nearby hammocks, woodlands, and other natural areas.

Each fruit cluster can produce a large number of seeds, giving this palm plenty of opportunities to spread.

Today, queen palm is listed as a Category II invasive species in Florida because it has escaped cultivation and continues spreading into natural areas.

Itā€™s a reminder that even beautiful landscape plants can have unintended ecological consequences when they spread beyond where we intended them to grow.

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06/30/2026

This tree wasnā€™t always considered invasive, and thatā€™s what makes its story so fascinating. šŸŒ³

This is Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa), a tree native to Southeast Asia that was introduced to Florida in the early 1900s as an ornamental because of its dense canopy, glossy foliage, and ability to thrive in urban environments.

For decades, it seemed relatively harmless.

The reason? It relies on a tiny pollinator, the fig wasp or ficus wasp (Eupristina verticillata), to produce viable seeds. Without that wasp, the tree couldnā€™t reproduce naturally.

Then the wasp arrived.

Suddenly, Indian laurel fig began producing viable seeds, and birds started spreading them throughout Floridaā€™s natural areas.

Like our native strangler fig, this species often begins life as a hemi epiphyte, germinating high in the canopy of another tree before sending roots down to the ground. Over time, those roots can envelop the host tree, while new seedlings also establish on walls, bridges, and other structures.

This is a perfect example of how an invasive species doesnā€™t always become invasive the moment itā€™s introduced. Sometimes itā€™s waiting for the final piece of the puzzle.

Nature is full of incredible stories. This just happens to be one of my favorites.

Joel the Arborist

06/24/2026

This might be one of the most toxic plants growing in Florida šŸŒæā˜ ļø

This is castor bean (Ricinus communis).

Native to Africa, this plant was introduced to Florida for both its ornamental beauty and its industrial value. The seeds are used to produce castor oil, which has been used in everything from cosmetics and medicine to lubricants and industrial products.

But despite its usefulness, the seeds also contain ricin, one of the most potent plant toxins known.

The good news is that simply touching the plant isnā€™t usually the problem. The real danger comes from consuming the seeds, especially if theyā€™re chewed or crushed.

As if that wasnā€™t interesting enough, castor bean has another trick up its sleeve.

It uses a form of seed dispersal known as ballistic dispersal. As the seed capsules dry, they build tension until they suddenly burst open, literally launching seeds several feet away from the parent plant.

Combined with its rapid growth, ability to thrive in disturbed habitats, and possible allelopathic effects on neighboring plants, this has helped castor bean spread throughout much of Florida.

Like many invasive plants, this story starts with people. We introduced it because it was useful and beautiful, and Floridaā€™s climate helped it thrive.

Sometimes the most fascinating plants are also the most complicated.

Joel the Arborist

06/18/2026

This might be one of the most invasive houseplants you can plant in your yard in Central Florida šŸŒæ

This is umbrella tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum), formerly known as Schefflera actinophylla.

If it looks familiar, thatā€™s because itā€™s closely related to the dwarf umbrella tree, a popular houseplant found in homes around the world.

Native to the tropical forests of Australia and New Guinea, umbrella tree was introduced to Florida as an ornamental because of its tropical appearance, rapid growth, and ability to thrive in our climate.

Today, it is listed as a Category I invasive species in Florida.

What makes this tree particularly problematic isnā€™t just how fast it grows. Those long red flower spikes produce thousands of fruits that birds love to eat. As birds move across the landscape, they spread the seeds into hammocks, preserves, and other natural areas.

Unlike many invasive plants that rely on heavily disturbed habitats, umbrella tree seedlings can survive beneath the forest canopy, allowing them to establish in relatively intact ecosystems.

The same traits that made this tree popular in landscaping are the same traits that helped it spread beyond the places where it was originally planted.

Houseplants Gone Wild šŸŒæ

Joel the Arborist

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Tarpon Springs, FL
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