A Tree Grows on Marco

As part of its “Ten Thousand Trees in Ten Years” initiative, the Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee has published a list of recommended trees to plant on Marco Island. The list can be found on the city website in the Beautification section. The list was developed in collaboration with the Naples Botanical Garden to help city officials, residents and landscapers plant “the right tree for the right place.”

The selection process was extensive, carefully considering factors such as height, low fertilizer needs, pest resistance, water requirements and the ability to provide a unique, beneficial environment and a sense of place for Marco Island.

“We created a list that will help Marco Island enhance its identity and uniqueness. We wanted to help create a sense of place so when people come over the bridge, they will know they could be in no other place than Marco Island,” David Leaser, chair of the committee, said.

The list includes more than 80 tree and palm species categorized by type, including flowering trees and canopy trees. For each tree, the botanical and common names are listed as well as the mature height and spread. The list also notes which trees have non-invasive roots and whether they can withstand high winds and storm surges.

Native species represent nearly a third of trees on the list. “Excess fertilizer is a topic of importance on Marco Island. Some of the species on the island today require significant fertilizer to maintain their health. Going forward, we recommend trees, including many natives, which will thrive in Marco Island’s sandy soils without the need for additional fertilizer. And they will provide a great environment for native birds, pollinators and wildlife, too,” Isabel Soto, project manager for Naples Botanical Garden, said.  

Becky Irwin, City Councilor and a sponsor of the “Ten Thousand Trees” initiative, highlighted the benefits trees provide in safety, value and community health. “Trees reduce traffic speeds and create safe barriers for pedestrians on sidewalks. They attract business and they improve our mental health. Just one acre provides enough oxygen for 18 people,” Irwin said.

Leaser said the environmental benefits of tree planting which are top of mind to many residents, including sequestering CO2 and limiting runoff of nutrient-rich water into the city’s canals. “Just two Cuban royal palms will intercept the runoff equivalent of an entire swimming pool in one year, and four magnolias can offset the CO2 of an average car,” Leaser said.

According to Global Forest Watch, Florida has lost 26% of its tree coverage since 2000, and Marco Island’s tree density is extremely low, with most areas achieving only 10% coverage, according to Tree Equity Score. The national average is nearly three times that at 27%.

“(The Ten Thousand Trees initiative) is an excellent proposal to increase tree canopy coverage along Marco Island streets over the next ten years. Numerous studies have documented the positive impacts of trees on urban environments on both ecology and mental health of residents,” Dr. Harry H. Harper, III, President, Environmental Research and Design, and an environmental consultant for Marco Island, wrote. “Trees interact with the urban hydrologic cycle by intercepting as much as 20-30% of precipitation on trunk, branches, and leaf surfaces which eventually evaporates back into the atmosphere, reducing runoff volume.”

Leaser said the recommended tree list is based on information available and is subject to change with additions or deletions. Height and spread represent maximum heights in ideal conditions and some species may take years or decades to reach these sizes. “The list was developed as a guide and does not preclude residents, businesses or city agencies from planting trees not featured on the list. But residents and businesses must obtain a city permit to plant on public rights of way, including swales, on Marco Island,” he said.