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Polk County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

APPENDIX B

POLK COUNTY RECOMMENDED SPECIES LIST

TREE SPECIES (Revised 03/18/09 - Ord. 09-006)

Site Class:
  H = Hydric Proximity to Power lines:
  M = Mesic (P/L)
  Z = Xeric 		A = under 15 feet
B = 15 - 30 feet
C = 30+ feet 		Light Requirement:
  L = Low
  M = Medium
  H = High 		Type: D = Deciduous
  E = Evergreen 		Use: O = Canopy Tree
 U = Understory Tree
SPECIES NATIVE SITE CLASS LIGHT TYPE CROWN SPREAD CANOPY AREA HEIGHT P/L USE
ACER
 A. rubrum       Red Maple
YES
H - M
H
D
25
491
35 - 50
B
O
BACCHARIS
 B. halimifolia       Groundsel Tree
YES
H - M - Z
H
E
8
50
7 - 12
A
U
BETULA
 B. nigra       River Birch
YES
H
H
D
16
201
45 - 65
B
O
CALLISTEMON
 C. rigidus       Bottlebrush, stiff
 C. viminalis       Bottlebrush, weeping
H-M
H
H
H
E
E
5
10
20
79
8 - 15
15 - 20
A
A
U
U
CARPINUS
 C. caroliniana       American Hornbeam
YES
H
M - H
D
12
113
25 - 35
O
CARYA
 C. floridana       Scrub Hickory
 C. glabra       Pignut Hickory
 C. illinoensis       Pecan
 C. tomentosa       Mockernut
Yes
Yes

Z
M
M
M
M - H
M - H
H
M - H
D
D
D
D
12
30
30
30
113
707
707
707
10 - 20
80 - 100
60 - 100
80 - 100
A
C
C
C
U
O
O
O
CELTIS
 C. laevigata       Sugarberry (Hackberry)
YES
M
H
D
40
1252
40 - 60
B
O
CHIONANTHUS
 C. virginicus       Fringe Tree
YES
M
H -
D
10
79
15 - 25
A
U
CINNAMOMUM
 C. camphora       Camphor
M
H
E
30
707
40 - 50
C
O
CORNUS
 C. florida       Flowering Dogwood
YES
M
M
D
16
201
20 - 30
B
O
CRATAEGUS
 C. sp.       Hawthorne
YES
M
M - H
D
12
113
15 - 20
A
U
ERIOBOTRYA
 E. japonica       Loquat, Japanese Plum
M
H
E
10
79
15 - 20
A
U
ERAXINUS
 F. caroliniana       Pop Ash
 F. pennsylv       Green Ash
YES
YES
H
H - M
H
H
D
D
25
40
491
1257
40 - 60
60
B
C
O
O
GLEDISTSIA
 G. aquatica       Water Locust
YES
H
M
D
15
177
40 - 60
B
O
GORDONIA
 G. lasianthus       Loblolly Bay
YES
H - M
H
E
16
201
30 - 40
B
O
ILEX
 I. attenuatas       East Palatka Holly
 I. cassine       Dahoon Holly
 I. opaca       American Holly
 I. vomitoria       Yaupon Holly
YES
YES
YES
YES

H - M
M - Z
H - M - Z

M - H
M - H
M - H
E
E
E
E
16
16
16
8
201
201
201
50
25 - 30
25 - 30
30 - 45
15 - 25
B
B
B
A
O
U
O
U
JUNIPERUS
 J. silicicola       Southern Red Cedar
YES
M - Z
H
E
12
113
25 - 30
B
O/U
KOELREUTERIA
 K. elegans (bipinnata)       Golden Rain Tree 		M
H
D
20
314
30 50
B
O
LAGERSTROEMIA
 L. indica       Crepe Myrtle

M
H
D
12
113
15 - 25
A
U
LIGUSTRUM
 L. japonicum       Wax Leaf Ligustrum
 L. lucidum       Ligustrum Licidum
M
M - Z
M - H
M - H
E
E
6
20
28
314
10 - 15
30 - 35
A
B
U
O
LIQUIDAMBAR
 L. styraciflua       Sweet Gum
 L. orientalis       Oriental Sweet Gum
YES

H - M
H - M
H
H
D
D
30
35
707
962
60 - 100
40 - 60
C
C 		O
O
MAGNOLIA
 M. grandiflor       Southern Magnolia
 M. virginiana       Sweet Bay Magnolia
YES
YES
H - M
H - M
M - H
M - H
E
E
25
16
491
201
50 - 100
30 - 60
C
B
O
O
MYRICA
 M. cerifera       Wax Myrtle
YES
H - M
M - H
E
6
28
10 - 18
C
U
NYSSA
 N. sylvatica       Black Gum
YES
H - M
H
D
20
314
50 - 100
C
O
OSMANTHUS
 O. americana       Wild Olive, Devilwood
 O. megacarpa       Scrub Olive
YES
YES
H - M
Z
H
H
E
E
8
10
50
79
15 - 30
12 - 15
A
A
U
U
PARKINSONIA
 P. aculeata       Jerusalem Thorn
M
H
D
16
20
20 - 30
A
U
PERSEA
 P. borbornia       Red Bay
YES
H - M
M - H
E
12
113
20 - 60
B
O/U
PINUS
 P. clause       Sand Pine
 P. elliottii       Slash Pine
 P. elliottii densa       South Florida Slash Pine
 P. palustris       Long Leaf Pine
 P. taeda       Loblolly Pine
 P. thunbergin       Black Pine
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
M - Z
H - M
H - M - Z
M - Z
H - M
M
H
H
H
H
H
H
E
E
E
E
E
E
5
5
5
5
5
12
491
491
491
491
491
113
60 - 80
80 - 100
80 - 100
80 - 100
80 - 100
20 - 30
B
B
B
B
B
A
O
O
O
O
O
U
PLANTUS
 P. occidental       Sycamore
YES
H - M
H
D
30
707
50 - 80
C
O
PODOCARPUS
 P. macrophyll       Podocarpus
 P. nagi       Podocarpus
M - Z
M
H
H
E
E
12
12
113
113
45
45
B
B
O
O
PRUNUS
 P. agustofol       Chickasaw Plum
 P. carolinian       Cherry Laurel
 P. serotina       Wild Black Cherry
YES
YES
YES
M - Z
M
H - M - Z
H
M - H
M
D
E
D
15
20
20
177
314
314
15 - 20
30 - 40
50 - 65
A
C
B
U
O
O
QUERCUS
 Q. chapmanii       Chapman Oak
 Q. geminata       Sand Live Oak
 Q. incana       Blue Jack Oak
 Q. laevis       Turkey Oak
 Q. falcata       Southern Red Oak
 Q. phellos       Willow Oak
 Q. prinus       Basket Oak
 Q. laurifolia       Laurel Oak
 Q. myrtifolia       Myrtle Oak
 Q. nigra       Water Oak
 Q. virginiana       Live Oak
 Q. shumardii       Shumard
 Q. alba       White Oak
 Q. marilandic       Black Jack Oak
 Q. muhlenber       Pin Oak
 Q. stellata       Post Oak
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES

YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES



YES
M - Z
M - Z
M - Z
M - Z
M
H - M
H - M
M
M - Z
H - M
H - M
M - Z
H - M
Z
H - M
Z
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
M - H
H
M - H
M - H
H
H
H
H
H
D
E
D
D
D
D
D
Semi - D
E
Semi -D
E
D
D
D
D
D
20
12
20
25
35
35
35
35
10
30
50
40
35
15
35
30
314
113
314
491
962
962
962
962
79
707
1964
1256
962
177
962
707
15 - 20
15 - 30
20 - 30
40 - 50
80
80
80
60 - 100
15 - 20
60 - 100
50 - 60
60
80
20
90
70
A
A
B
C
C
C
C
C
A
C
C
C
C
B
C
C
U
U
O
O
O
O
O
O
U
O
O
O
O
U
O
O
TAXODIUM
 T. distichum       Bald Cypress
YES
H - M
H
D
20
314
60 - 100
B
O
TILIA
 T. caroliniana       Carolina Basswood 		YES H - M M - H D 25 491 50 - 60 C O
ULMUS
 U. alata       Winged Elm
 U. americana flordana       Florida Elm
 U. parvifolia       Drake Elm or Chinese Elm
YES
YES

M
M
M
M - H
H
H
D
D
Semi - D
25
30
30 - 40
491
707
982
20 - 25
80 - 100
30 - 40
B
C
B
U
O
U
VACCINIUM
 V. arboreum       Sparkleberry
YES
M - Z
H
D
12
113
20
A
U
VIBURNUM
 V. nudum       Possum Haw
 V. ovobatum       Black Haw
YES
YES
H - M
H - M
H
M - H
D
E
15
15
177
177
20
20
A
A
U
U

 

SHRUB SPECIES

Soils: H = Hydric  M = Mesic  Z = Xeric  Period: Sp = Spring  S = Summer F = Fall
Height in Feet: 1 - 3 feet/SMALL  4 - 6 feet/MEDIUM  7 feet and up/LARGE
SPECIES NATIVE MATURE HEIGHT SOILS PERIOD
Abeliag grandiflora       Glossy Abelia M M S
Baccharis halimifolia       Groundsel Tree/Saltbush YES L H - M - Z F
Befaria racemosa       Tarflower YES L M S
Bumelia tenax       Silver Buckthorn YES L Z
Camellia japonica       Camellia M M
Carrissa g.       Boxwood Beauty S M
Cortaderia selloana       Pampas Grass L M S
Cycas revoluta       King Sago M M
Duranta repens       Golden Dewdrop L M Sp - S
Garberia heterophylla       Garberia YES S Z F
Gardenia jasminoides       Gardenia M H Sp
Hydrangea macrphylla       Hydrangea M M S
Hypericum hypericoides       St. Andrew's Cross YES S H - M - Z Sp - S
Hypericum reductum       St. John's Wort YES S M - Z S - F
Ilex cornuta 'Bufordi'       Buford Holly L M
Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Bufordi'       Dwarf Buford Holly M M
Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'       Rotunda Holly M M
Ilex glabra       Gallberry YES L M Sp
Ilex opaca arenicola       Scrub Holly YES L M - Z S
Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'       Shillings Holly YES S M Sp
Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula'       Weeping Yaupon Holly YES L M S
Illicium anisatum       Japanese Anise L M S
Illicium floridanum       Star Anise YES L H - M
Illicium parviflorum       Floridia Anise YES L H - M
Itea virginica       Virginia Willow YES M H - M
Jasminum natidum       Shining Jasmine M M
Jasminum pubescens       Downy Jasmine M M
Juniperus 'Pfitzeriana'       Pfitzer Juniper M M - Z
Juniperus conferta 'Compacts'       Dwarf Shore Juniper S M - Z
Juniperus squanta 'Expansa' S M - Z
Leucophyllum frutescens       Texas Sage M M S
Ligustrum japonicum       Ligustrum L M
Lyonia ferruginea       Rusty Lyonia YES L M - Z S
Lyonia lucida       Shiny Lyonia/Fetterbush YES M M S
Myrica cerifera       Wax Myrtle YES L H - M
Persea humilis       Silk Bay YES L M - Z Sp
Photinia glabra       Red Tip L M Sp - S
Pittosporum tobira       Green Pittosporum L M
Pittosporum tobria 'Compacts'       Compact Pittosporum M M
Pittosporum tobria 'Variegate'       Variegated Pittosporum M M
Raphiolepis idica       India Hawthorn M M Sp
Rhododendron 'Duc de Rohan'       Azalea, 'Duc de Rohan' M M Sp
Rhododendron simsii       Indian Azalea L M Sp - S
Rhododendron serrulatun       Swamp Azalea YES M H - M S
Serenoa repens       Saw Palmetto YES M M - Z
Thryallis glalauca       Thryallis, Shower of Gold M M S
Vaccinium darrowi       Little Bluebery YES S M - Z Sp
Viburnum obovatum       Blackhaw YES L M
Viburnum oboratissmum       Sweet Viburnum L M
Viburnum suspensum       Sandankwa Viburnum M M
Zamia floridana       Coontie YES S M

 

GROUND COVERS AND VINES

Soils: H = Hydric  M = Mesic  Z = Xeric
Flower Season: Sp = Spring  S = Summer  F = Fall  W = Winter
Light Intensity: L = Low Light  P = Partial Shade  F = Full Sun
Species NATIVE SOILS LIGHT INTENSITY FLOWER COLOR FLOWER SEASON
Aristida spp       Wiregrass X Z F
Asparagus sprengeri       Sprengeri Fern M P - F
Bacopa caroliniana       Water Hyssop X H F Blue S
Chrysopsis floridana       Florida Astor X Z F Yellow S - F
Conradina canascens       Conradina X Z F Lavender Sp
Coreopsis leavenworthii       Tickseed H - M P - F Yellow S
Cuphea hyssopifolia       Florida Heather M P - F White Sp - S - F
Dychoriste oblongifolia       Twinflower X M - Z P - F
Gamolepsis chrysanthemoides       Daisy Bush M F Yellow S
Gelsemium sempervirens       Carolina Yellow Jasmine X H - M L - P - F Yellow W
Hemerocallis spp.       Daylily M P - F Varied S
Hyrdolea corymbosum       Skyflower X H - M L - P - F Blue S
Iris savannarum       Prarie Iris X H - M F Blue Sp
Juncus effusus       Soft Rush X H - M L - P - F
Juniperus conferta 'Compacta'       Dwarft Shore Juniper M - Z F
Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni'       Blue Rug Juniper M - Z F
Juniperus squamata 'Expansa'       Parsoni Juniper M - Z F
Lantan monetvidensis       Weeping Lantana M P - F Blue S
Liriope Muscar       Lily Turf M L - P
Liriope Muscari 'Evergreen Giant'       Evergreen Giant Liriope M L - P
Liriope Muscari 'Variegata'       Variegated Lily Turf M L - P
Liriope spicata       Creeping Lily Turf M L - P
Lhicania michauxii       Gopher Apple X M - Z P - F
Moraea iridioides       White African Iris M P - F White Sp - S - F
Nolina brittonia       Nolina X M - Z P - F White S
Ophiopogon japinicus       Mondo Grass M L - P
Ophiopogon japonicus nana       Dwarf Mondo Grass M L - P
Parthenocissus quinquefolia       Virginia Creeper M L - P - F Red (Foliage) F
Piloblephis rigida       Pennyroyal X M - Z F Blue Sp - S
Pityopis graminifolia       Golden Aster X M - Z F Yellow S - F
Pontederia cordata       Pickerel Weed X H P - F Blue Sp - S
Portulaca oleracea       Purslane M F Varied S
Pyschotria nervosa       Wild Coffee X M L - P White Sp
Ruellia caroliniensis       Ruellia X M - Z L - P - F Blue Sp - S - F
Sisyrinchium atlanticum       Blue-Eyed Grass X M F Blue Sp - S
Spartina bakeri       Sand Cord Grass X M F
Trachelospermum jasminoides       Confederate Jasmine M P - F White S
Trachelospermum minima       Dwarf Confederate Jasmine M P - F White S
Tulbaghia violacea       Society Garlic M - Z F Lavender Sp - S - F
Vince minor       Periwinkle M P - F Varied Sp - S
Viola affinia       Florida Violet H - M L - P Blue Sp
Wedlia trilobata       Wedelia H - M L - P - F Yellow SP - S
Yucca filamentosa       Bear Grass M - Z F

 

Planting Material Guidelines

1.

Recommended Species List

A Recommended Species List is provided and includes a list of native species. The use of native plant material is highly encouraged and recommended.

2.

Prohibited Plant Species

The following plant species should not be planted in the County:

a.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (commonly know as Punk tree, Cajeput, Paper Bark, Melaleuca); or

b.

Schinus terebinthifolius (commonly known as Brazilian Pepper or Florida Holly); or

c.

Casuarina species (commonly know as Australian Pine); and

d.

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (commonly known as Downy Rose Myrtle).

3.

Planting

Trees and other vegetation should be planted in soil and climatic conditions which are appropriate for their growth habits. Plants used in the landscape design pursuant to this Chapter 7 should to the greatest extent possible be:

a.

Appropriate to the conditions in which they are planted;

b.

Have non-invasive growth habits;

c.

Encourage low maintenance, high quality design; and

d.

Be otherwise consistent with the intent of this Code.

4.

Quality

Plant material should conform to the standards for Florida No. 1 or better based on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Publications Grades & Standards for Nursery Plants, Part I and II.

5.

Trees

Any required tree planting pursuant to this Code should conform to the Recommended Species list. All tree species, upon planting, should be a minimum of eight feet tall and one and one-half inches diameter at breast height (D.B.H.). At maturity, a tree must reach a minimum height of 25 feet with a minimum spread (or crown) of 15 feet.

6.

Shrubs

When used for screening purposes, shrubs should have a minimum height of 30 inches at planting and should be spaced a maximum of 18 to 36 inches on center depending on variety to create a minimum 40 percent opacity at planting, with the capability of attaining a height of six feet and an 80 percent opacity within two years of planting.

7.

Ground Covers

Ground covers used in lieu of grass in whole or in part should be planted so as to provide full coverage within one year after planting.

8.

Mulch

Mulch should consist of a minimum of three inches of shredded and treated No. 1 grade pine, cypress or hardwood chips, nuggets or needles, or two inch rock, marble or brick chips. A pre-emergent herbicide or weed barrier cloth should be incorporated with the soil prior to mulching.

9.

Grasses

Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, or seeded. Solid sodding should be required in areas subject to erosion (slopes of 6:1 or greater). In areas where grass seed is needed, nurse grass seed (e.g., rye, millet) should also be sown for immediate effect.

10.

Planter Beds

Planter beds should be a minimum of five feet in width and should be filled with native topsoil incorporated with organic matter, free of weeds and grasses to promote plant growth. Bare soil should be covered with a minimum of three inches treated mulch after planting to control erosion and retain moisture.

11.

Installation

All landscaping should be installed according to sound horticulture practices.

12.

Non-living Materials

Non-living materials such as rocks, gravel, mulch, walls or fences, may be used in combination with living plant material. The use of artificial plants should not be permitted to meet requirements of this Code.