Historic Homeowner Workshop Series: River Friendly Yards, Plants and Trees

Last Thursday on July 25th, historic homeowners and gardening enthusiasts gathered for the final session of the 2024 Summertime Historic Homeowner Workshop Series, “River Friendly Yards, Plants, and Trees.” Held at Riverside Church at Park and King, this workshop brought together experts to discuss environmentally-friendly practices and the benefits of native plants and trees in Jacksonville. Panelists Jimmy Orth of St. Johns Riverkeeper, Adam Arendell from the Florida Native Plant Society’s IXIA Chapter, and Joe Anderson of JEA shared their expertise and answered questions, offering valuable insights into sustainable landscaping.

Q&A Session Highlights

Q1: Tell us about native plants in the community. 

Adam Arendell: Native plants like Ixia are vital for conservation and preservation efforts. The IXIA Chapter focuses on these rare plants and even work to maintain them in Native Park. The chapter hosts monthly volunteer meetings to help with park upkeep and plant care.

Q2: Explain river-friendly practices. 

Jimmy Orth: The St. Johns River is 310 miles and starts from Vero Beach. Individuals can adopt practices that minimize their impact on the St. Johns River, such as using eco-friendly fertilizers and pesticides. The Riverkeeper offers resources to educate the community on these practices. One of these resources is https://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/about-us/our-river/.

Q3: How does urban forestry protect our home and infrastructure? 

Joe Anderson: Trees are natural pumps that grab hold of water and release it back to the sky through photosynthesis. They also help pull water out of saturated soil. Urban trees manage water, provide shade, and support local ecosystems. They help reduce storm damage and are crucial for combating climate change. JEA hires arborists that play a key role in maintaining these trees, ensuring they do not interfere with utilities. Jacksonville also has a tree protection ordinance.

Q4: How do native plants protect my historic home? 

One of the locations with the highest wind speeds is near the airport where there are less trees. Properly maintained trees can shield homes from storm winds, provide habitats for wildlife, shade, and can even enhance property value. However, it’s essential to avoid invasive species and regularly consult with arborists.

Q5: Do tree branches over my home or roots under my home threaten the preservation of it? 

Maintaining a safe distance between trees and your home is crucial. Seeing as tree roots can break or cause a drift in 4 feet of concrete, there is a risk to your home with tree roots. As a rule of thumb, roots within 10 feet of a home can damage the foundation. Overhanging branches should be trimmed as well to prevent roof damage.

Q6: What is the connection with native plants and termites? 

Native plants do not inherently attract termites; however, it is essential to manage them properly to avoid potential issues.

Q7: What are the most important changes I can make to protect my yard and the river?

Become educated on the different types of plants and what conditions they thrive under. Selecting the right plants for your yard and staying informed can help preserve natural resources. Native plants attract native insects, increase yard biodiversity, and are suited to the local topography.

Q8: What are some of the best front yard trees? What are some resources in Jacksonville? 

It is important to find certified arborists to learn about the best types of trees for your yard. A few websites to check out are: 

FNPS.org: This website will help you learn all about plants for your right to help you find the best match. 

treesaregood.org: This website has all the information on how to select a tree, care for it, and can also help you find certified arborists in Duval County.

Audience Q&A Session:

How often should I get my trees checked? 

Mature trees should be inspected every 2-3 years to manage liability and maintain structural integrity.

When is the best time to plant a tree during the year? 

Trees can be planted year-round, but it depends on how much maintenance it will require. Aside from that, January is the ideal time as trees are dormant then and focus on root development before the growing season.

Things to know about lawn and pest control services? 

Choose services that adhere to Florida Green Industries’ best management practices to ensure eco-friendly landscaping. If you have lawn or pest control services to your home, ask them if they are trained for Florida Friendly Landscaping Practices. If they do, it is in your and your home’s best interest as they are more knowledgeable of plant to fertilizer ratio.

This workshop provided valuable insights with knowledge on sustainable practices and the importance of native plants in preserving Jacksonville’s environment. A big thank you to our panelists for their expertise and to our sponsors, Cowford Realty and Celtic Construction Services, for making the event possible. We also couldn’t have done this series with Riverside Liquors and European Street Cafe for providing delicious and refreshing snacks and beverages. We also want to give a final thank you to all of those who attended our 4 part workshop series! We appreciate your support and hope all your questions were answered. This marks the end of our 2024 Summertime Historic Homeowner Workshop Series. If you want to learn more about what you read here, check out our Historic Homeowner Workshop Series videos on the RAP website for more information!