UF IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

Got a landscape you love? Share it with the community through the Tampa Bay Water Wise Awards! The deadline to apply is July 31, and we’ll be choosing winners from both Tampa and Unincorporated Hillsborough. Don’t miss your chance, learn more and apply today at https://awards.tampabaywaterwise.org/.

Thinking about “topping” your tree before a storm? Think again.
🚫 Topping removes large portions of the canopy and leads to weak, fast-growing shoots
🚫 These shoots are more likely to break during high winds
UF/IFAS emphasizes that healthy, properly pruned trees perform better in storms than those that are heavily cut back.
https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/local-living/prepare-landscape-trees-hurricane-season
✅ Instead: remove dead or weak branches and focus on good structure over time.
📞 When in doubt, call a certified arborist—not a door-to-door tree cutter.

Mangroves anchor shorelines with their vast root networks, slowing wave action and preventing erosion that threatens coastal communities. Their natural stability keeps beaches safe and vibrant, supporting thriving marine life.
Want to see how we can responsibly protect these living shorelines? Check out the Mangrove Trimming Regulations | EDIS for expert guidelines on trimming and stewardship.

https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/138968

https://youtu.be/K5qTn2NZkFU

Mangrove Trimming Regulations | EDIS Journal of UF/IFAS Extension, a federal, state, and county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.

Not all tree services are created equal.
Certified arborists are trained to assess risk, prune properly, and protect your trees and property.
🌳 Don’t wait until it’s too late—get expert help before the storm hits.
🔍 Find a certified arborist at treesaregood.org

Not all tree services are created equal - Tree Care for Hurricane Season Not all tree services are created equal.Certified arborists are tr...

One way to protect palms from lethal bronzing disease is a preventative injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) done on a quarterly basis. The injection holes are drilled in an upward spiral pattern as to minimize harm to the palm tree.

🌳 Happy Arborist Appreciation Day! 🌳

Today we celebrate the dedicated professionals who care for one of our most valuable community resources, our trees. Arborists do far more than prune branches.

Arborists:
✅ Protect public safety by identifying and managing hazardous trees
✅ Improve storm resilience through strategic pruning and species selection
✅ Enhance environmental benefits like shade, air quality, and stormwater management
✅ Support community planning with tree inventories and data driven decisions
✅ Care for tree health using research based practices that extend lifespan and maximize ecosystem services

Every healthy tree is backed by thoughtful expertise. Arborists blend science, experience, and stewardship to ensure our urban forests continue to provide cooling shade, wildlife habitat, and a stronger, more resilient future. Find local Certified Arborists by going to treesaregood.org

Take a moment today to thank an arborist in your community! 🌿

Credit card balances not decreasing? This UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County blog article outlines steps to evaluate your situation and take control of debt

Managing Credit Card Debt: Practical Steps and Realistic Options - UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Email 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Reddit 0 X Linkedin 0 Stumbleupon 0 If your credit card balances aren’t going down— or you’ve fallen behind —you’re not alone. Many households are balancing debt alongside increasing living costs. The steps below can help you evaluate your situation and identif...

Empowering our Community
UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County reported a strong return on investment for 2025, delivering $14.19 in measurable benefits for every $1 of County support. The partnership between Hillsborough County and the University of Florida continues to translate research-based education into tangible gains for residents and local industries.
In 2025, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County reached 81,513 educational contacts through hands-on learning, certifications, and high-impact programs tailored to the needs of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations. The adoption of Extension-recommended practices generated an estimated $17,420,774 in economic value for participants, while professional certifications earned through Extension programs added another $15,035,618 in estimated value.
Residents also saw environmental benefits. Knowledge gained through the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program helped save 103,189,185 gallons of water, advancing local conservation efforts and supporting sustainable landscapes.
Community volunteers played a pivotal role as well. 4-H Youth and Master Gardener volunteers contributed service hours valued at $601,689, expanding the reach of programming that strengthens communities, supports sustainable agriculture and natural resources, promotes healthy families, and enhances quality of life.
Looking ahead, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County remains focused on empowering residents, fostering sustainable practices, and driving positive change for a thriving, resilient community.
For more information, contact Stephen Gran at (813) 744-5519 ext. 54113 or [email protected].