Tree & Shrub Planting and Care in Tampa, FL

Quick answer

Healthy trees and shrubs in Tampa Bay start with storm-wise choices like live oak, southern magnolia and native hollies, planted with the root flare at grade, mulched and watered through establishment. Prune to remove weak or crossing limbs, don't over-prune palms, and check local rules before removing a large tree.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Trees and shrubs carry a Tampa Bay landscape through summer heat, but they also take the brunt of hurricane season. Planting the right species in the right spot, and pruning them properly, is what separates a yard that rides out a storm from one that loses limbs onto the roof. Live oaks give many older Tampa and St. Petersburg neighborhoods their character, while newer subdivisions start with small trees and builder shrubs.

Choosing trees with storms in mind

UF/IFAS studied tree damage after major Florida hurricanes. For this part of the state, species with relatively high wind resistance include live oak and sand live oak, southern magnolia, crape myrtle, podocarpus, and native hollies such as dahoon, yaupon and American holly. Species with lower wind resistance include laurel oak, water oak, southern red oak, pecan, sand pine and Chinese elm. Soil, tree health, age and past pruning matter too, and no tree is storm-proof.

Planting it right

Set the root flare at or slightly above grade. Planting too deep is a leading cause of slow decline.
Dig wide, not deep, and loosen circling roots from container plants.
Mulch a few inches deep, pulled back from the trunk, to hold moisture in fast-draining sand.
Water through establishment. New trees need regular water for months. Under the shortage order, hand watering and micro-irrigation of non-lawn plants are allowed any day in early morning and evening hours; confirm the current rules with your utility.
Give roots room away from foundations, pool cages, septic fields and seawalls.

Pruning basics

Remove dead, broken and crossing branches, and train young trees to a single strong trunk.
Don't top trees or strip them to a few interior limbs before a storm; that weakens them.
Avoid over-pruning palms. Removing green fronds, sometimes called hurricane cutting, stresses the palm.
Skip severe annual cuts on crape myrtles; light, selective pruning keeps their form.

Invasive plants

Brazilian pepper is one of Florida's worst invasive plants and is common along Tampa Bay yards, canals and roadsides. It resprouts after cutting unless the stump is treated with a labeled herbicide right away, and its sap can irritate skin. Other invaders like air potato vine also turn up in wooded lots. UF/IFAS publishes control guidance and an assessment of non-native plants.

Tree removal and permits

The City of Tampa and many other local governments regulate removal of certain trees, so check with your city or county before removing a large one. Florida law says a local government can't require a permit, fee or replanting for pruning or removing a tree on a single-family residential lot if an ISA Certified Arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect documents that the tree poses an unacceptable risk. Mangroves are covered by separate state rules. Large tree work and anything near power lines belongs with a tree service that has the right equipment and insurance.

Watch for common problems

Scale and whiteflies on ornamental shrubs
Nutrient deficiencies in palms on sandy soils
Root rot in shrubs kept too wet in the rainy season

Your county UF/IFAS Extension office can help identify plant problems. When you're ready, request a landscaping company for planting or shrub care.

Frequently asked questions

What trees hold up best in hurricanes around Tampa?

UF/IFAS research rates live oak, sand live oak, southern magnolia, crape myrtle, podocarpus and native hollies among the more wind-resistant species for this region, and laurel oak, water oak, pecan and sand pine among the less resistant.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Tampa?

The City of Tampa and many local governments regulate certain trees, so check first. Under Florida law, if an ISA Certified Arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect documents that a tree on a single-family lot poses an unacceptable risk, a local government can't require a permit or replanting.

How do I get rid of Brazilian pepper?

Cut it close to the ground and treat the stump right away with a herbicide labeled for Brazilian pepper, following the label. Wear gloves and long sleeves, since the sap can irritate skin, and watch for seedlings afterward.

Sources and further reading

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