Species guide
Common Trees in Miami and How They Are Cared For
A short guide to the live oaks, royal poincianas, gumbo limbos, and palms you see across Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade’s canopy is a mix of native and long-established subtropical species. Knowing what you have helps you understand what care it needs.
Southern live oak
The dominant shade tree of older Miami neighborhoods. Live oaks develop broad, heavy horizontal limbs and benefit from structural pruning to manage end weight and keep unions sound.
Royal poinciana, gumbo limbo, and palms
Royal poincianas flower brilliantly but have brittle wood that needs careful structural pruning near homes. Gumbo limbo is a wind-resistant native with distinctive peeling bark. Coconut and sabal palms need only their dead fronds and seed structures removed, never a hurricane cut.
This guidance is general. For a recommendation on your specific tree, request a free on-site estimate or call 786-942-0189.
Keep Reading
Caring for Royal Palms in South Florida
How to trim and care for royal palms so they stay healthy, and why over-trimming does more harm than good.
Hurricane Preparation for South Florida Trees
How structural pruning before hurricane season reduces the risk of tree failure around your home in Miami-Dade.