Tampa isn't one landscaping market. A Palma Ceia lot with a ninety-year-old live oak, a Seminole Heights bungalow, a New Tampa new-build, each needs a different plan, and we start every one by checking the trees.
Much of this city was landscaped decades ago and never rethought. Here's what fixing it calls for.
For the low South Tampa lots where water sits against the foundation.
Built around existing mature trees rather than pretending they aren't there.
Root-sensitive layouts, including permeable options where a paver run has to pass near a protected tree.
In the shade-heavy yards where Floratam struggles and a different variety does better.
Works with old canopy. Uplighting a mature oak is the single best value upgrade on most Tampa properties.
We plan beds, drains and paver runs around root zones instead of cutting through them, so the tree, and your permit, survive the project.
Tampa isn't one market. They share a zip prefix and almost nothing else.
Bayshore Beautiful, Palma Ceia and near Davis Islands sit close to the water table. Bed elevation and drainage routing decide everything, raised beds often solve what drains alone cannot.
Bungalow lots, narrow frontage, alley access at the rear. Standard nursery shrubs overwhelm a six-foot setback within three years, so we select smaller, tighter material than the suburban default.
Newer construction, compacted fill, and thin builder sod over ground that was never amended, the same problem we see out in Riverview.
Before anything else on a Tampa property, we check the trees. The City of Tampa protects grand trees, and live oaks reach that classification often. Removal requires city review, so does significant trimming or work inside the root protection zone.
Grand tree protection applies at a defined trunk diameter. Root protection zones limit trenching, grading, and hardscape within a radius of the trunk. Replacement requirements may apply after approved removal.
We plan beds, drains and paver runs around root zones instead of cutting through them. Sever the structural roots on one side and a healthy oak comes down in the next tropical storm.
Tampa properties also fall under Southwest Florida Water Management District watering restrictions, tied to your address. New sod and new plantings usually qualify for a temporary establishment exemption, we'll tell you what that window is.
Work with usMaybe, and only after city review if it qualifies as a grand tree. We check the diameter and tell you where you stand before anything else gets planned.
Deep shade under a mature canopy beats most turf. Asiatic jasmine, cast iron plant, holly fern and a clean mulched bed line look better than grass that will never fill in.
Common in South Tampa. Usually a grade problem rather than a drain problem, and the fix is often less expensive than people expect.
Call us or fill out the form to tell us about your landscape needs. We'll get back to you within 24 hours to schedule a free on-site consultation.