Tree Service in Bokeelia, FL

Tree Service in Bokeelia often includes fruit trees, which isn't true of many places we work. Most of Pine Island is zoned agricultural, and tropical fruit such as mangos and lychees is grown and sold on the island, drawing some visitors from more than 100 miles away. Bokeelia sits at the island's northern tip, bordered by water on three sides: Pine Island Sound to the west, Charlotte Harbor to the north and Matlacha Pass to the east. The original settlement is on Bokeelia Island, connected to Pine Island by a short bridge on Stringfellow Road. Fort Myers Tree Service Pros prunes fruit trees, palms and shade trees in Bokeelia's yards and groves.

Fruit trees and wind

Fruit trees and hurricanes don't mix well, and the species matter. In the UF/IFAS study of trees after Florida hurricanes, lychee ranked medium-high for wind resistance, mango and citrus medium-low, and avocado among the lowest. That doesn't mean you shouldn't grow them. It means fruit trees benefit from being kept at a manageable height with an open, well-spaced structure, so wind can pass through and the crop can be picked from the ground or a short ladder.

Pruning mangos and lychees

The usual timing for mango pruning in Florida is right after harvest, so the tree has time to set new growth that will flower the following year. Lychees are often pruned at harvest too, by cutting back the fruiting branches. Heavy cuts outside that window can cost you a season's fruit. We take time to ask what you want from each tree, a big crop, a smaller tree, or shade, and prune with that in mind.

Palms on the north end

Palms are part of almost every Bokeelia yard. Lethal bronzing, a fatal palm disease, has been confirmed in Lee County and in neighboring Charlotte County, according to UF/IFAS. It affects cabbage, coconut, date and queen palms, among others. Early signs include fruit dropping early or dead flower stalks, followed by browning that moves up from the lowest fronds. Infected palms should be removed promptly to protect the ones around them.

Storms and salt

Hurricane Ian devastated Pine Island in 2022, and the National Hurricane Center estimated 6 to 9 feet of surge there. Bokeelia's position, surrounded by water, means its trees take salt from every side in a big storm. Coastal natives like buttonwood, sea grape and cabbage palm usually handle it better than ornamentals and fruit trees.

Work we do in Bokeelia

• Height reduction and structural pruning on mango, lychee and avocado trees
• Removing fruit trees and palms killed by storms or disease
• Palm trimming and coconut removal
• Stump grinding in yards and old grove rows
• Clearing trees away from roofs and lines

Bokeelia is home to one of Lee County's first pioneer families, the Padillas, and some properties here have trees older than anyone living in them. Call (239) 236-3651 for a free estimate, and we'll treat them with the care they deserve. Get a free estimate