Reflecting on Florida's State Tree

Florida’s state tree, the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), is one of the most recognizable native plants in our

landscape. It grows along highways, in neighborhoods, and throughout Florida’s natural areas, from pine

flatwoods to wetlands and prairies. Because it is so common, it is easy to overlook. But the cabbage palm is

more than a familiar backdrop. It is a native species that plays an important role in supporting Florida’s wildlife, especially in landscapes that are increasingly managed for people rather than nature.

The cabbage palm became Florida’s state tree in 1953, and in 1970 it was added to the Great Seal of Florida and the State Flag, clarifying the species depicted, which had previously been referred to only as a “cocoa palm.”

CABBAGE PALMS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN FLORIDA ECOSYSTEMS

Unlike many palms found in Florida landscapes, cabbage palms evolved here. They are adapted to our

soils, seasonal rainfall patterns, fire cycles, and wildlife communities. In Polk County and across central Florida, cabbage palms often persist where other trees struggle, providing long-term structure in both natural and developed areas.

From an ecological perspective, that structure matters. Wildlife habitat is not defined by food alone. Animals also need shelter, protection from predators, and places to rest and reproduce. Cabbage palms provide all three, particularly when they are allowed to grow naturally in clusters across the landscape.

One of the most important habitat features of a cabbage palm is its skirt of older, dead fronds. While these brown fronds are often removed for aesthetic reasons, they serve a critical ecological function. The value of cabbage palms becomes especially clear in late winter and early spring. February is a challenging time for wildlife. Floral resources are limited, temperatures can fluctuate quickly, and animals are conserving energy ahead of the breeding season. During this time, palms provide thermal refuge

and shelter when other vegetation may be sparse. Another important habitat feature is easily overlooked.

Where the fronds attach to the stem, there are large Y-shaped attachments with fibrous material along the trunk, called “boots.” The boots of the cabbage palm create sheltered spaces for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. These small organisms form the base of local food webs and support birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals throughout the year. These areas can also support a host of smaller plants.

One species that relies heavily on cabbage palms is the Florida yellow bat (Lasiurus intermedius). This native bat prefers to roost in cabbage palms, using dead fronds for cover and protection. When suitable palm habitat is unavailable, yellow bats may also roost in Spanish moss. Generally speaking, bat maternity season takes place from April through August, when pups are born and reared. Stable roosting sites become increasingly important in the weeks leading up to maternity season, so late winter and early spring are a critical period for habitat availability. Removing dead palm fronds during this time can unintentionally eliminate roosting habitat just as females are preparing for maternity season, increasing stress on a species that already depends on limited roosting options.

If you’d like to read more about Florida bats and their preferred roosting habitats, check out the Florida

Bat Conservancy’s Florida Bat Habitat webpage at floridabats.org/bat-habitat.

CABBAGE PALMS AND OUR LANDSCAPES

Cabbage palms are also well adapted to Florida’s natural disturbance cycles. They tolerate flooding,

drought, salt exposure, and strong winds, and they are adapted to survive low-intensity fire. These traits

allow them to remain standing after storms and prescribed burns, maintaining habitat structure when

other vegetation may be damaged or lost. In this way, cabbage palms contribute to ecosystem resilience

and continuity.

Thankfully, most of these disturbances don’t occur in our residential and commercial landscaping. Their drought tolerance and cold-hardy adaptations are still valuable in developed areas, allowing cabbage palms to persist where other species may fail.

Despite these benefits, cabbage palms are often overmanaged. Routine removal of dead fronds removes

critical habitat and reduces shelter for wildlife. From a conservation standpoint, leaving brown fronds in place is one of the simplest ways residents can support many native species.

Florida’s state tree has earned its designation not only for its resilience, but for its role in our ecosystems. By viewing cabbage palms as functional habitat rather than landscape features to be routinely “cleaned up,” we can make small changes that have meaningful conservation benefits.

When pruning is truly necessary due to safety concerns rather than aesthetic preference, it should

be done carefully and professionally. You can locate a certified arborist or check an arborist’s credentials at

treesaregood.org.

Poor pruning techniques can also affect palm health. Producing a new frond is energy-intensive for a cabbage palm, requiring significant nutrients. To meet this demand, palms withdraw nutrients from older fronds before they turn brown. Removing fronds that still contain green tissue interrupts this process and deprives the tree of stored resources. When pruning cannot be avoided, only fully brown fronds should be removed.

If you are interested in learning more about native trees, wildlife habitat, or conservation practices in Polk County, the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Bartow is a great place to start. You can ask for the Master Gardener Plant Clinic, if you have palm-health or landscaping questions or email me, Shannon, at scarnevale@ufl.edu if you have any questions about cabbage palms or other habitat in our native ecosystems.

Sometimes conservation does not require planting something new or adding complexity. Sometimes, it

simply means allowing native species to do what they have done here for generations.