Outdoor Trees That Require Little or No Care for Florida

For Sunny Sites

• The low-maintenence, sun-loving satinleaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme) is native to Florida. This evergreen is named for its lustrous leaves, which are dark green on top and coppery on the bottom. It's hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10b to 11 and grows up to 45 feet tall. Another full-sun evergreen, the low-maintenance seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) also has multicolored foliage; this North American native has tough green leaves with red veins. Reaching a height and spread of 30 feet, the seagrape is hardy in zones 10 to 11 and tolerates pollution and salt spray.

For Shady Sites

• For those shady sites that recieve less than six hours of sun each day, plant a low-maintenence marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides). This North American native grows to 20 feet tall with a 10-foot spread and is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11. It thrives in partial shade, tolerates a range of soil types and resists pests and diseases. The Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis) also grows well in partial shade and requires little maintenance. Reaching 30 to 50 feet tall, this palm has 6-foot-long, fan-shaped foliage. It's hardy in USDA zones 9b to 11 and tolerates a range of soil pH levels.

For Dry Sites

• The sweet acacia (Acacia farnesiana) thrives in dry sites. This drought-tolerant semi-evergreen grows to 25 feet tall with an equal spread. Its fine foliage creates light shade under its spreading canopy, and its seed pods attract birds. Sweet acacias are hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. The hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) tolerates poor, dry soil, as well as a range of pH levels and light exposures. A deciduous tree that reaches heights of 40 feet, the American hophornbeam has a showy, multi-trunked form. It grows slowly and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9a.

For Moist Sites

• For those moist sites in your Florida yard, plant an Atlantic cedar (Charmaecyparis thyoides). This North American native prefers moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates wet sites and even withstands occasional flooding. An evergreen, the Atlantic cedar has aromatic foliage, is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9a and grows up to 75 feet tall. Another low-maintenance native tree, the wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) also tolerates extended flooding. This evergreen has fragrant, gray-green leaves and produces berries that attract wildlife to the yard. Reaching heights of 25 feet, the wax myrtle is hardy in USDA zones 7b to 11.