Gardening Ideas Growing Trees 5 Trees to Plant by the Sea By Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker is the Senior Writer at Southern Living, where she enjoys dabbling in stories throughout the magazine, from gorgeous home features to profiles of the South's creatives. Prior to joining the team in 2019, Marisa was an editor at Coastal Living, coastalliving.com, and Luxe Interiors + Design. Her career spans nearly 15 years, much of which has been spent staring at photos of pretty homes and gleaning inspiration for her next beach vacation.While born and raised in South Florida and a proud University of Florida alum (Go Gators!), she currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Santa Cruz, California. She can often be found schooling West Coasters on the joys of Southern charm and Key Lime Pie. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 23, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: James Forte/Getty Images What works (and what doesn't) when it comes to planting trees by the sea. 01 of 05 Sabal palmetto Plant: Sabal palmettoThis official Florida state tree boasts a higher wind resistance than any other palm, according to a research study conducted by Mary Duryea, professor emeritus of reforestation and urban forestry at University of Florida. Reconsider: Washington fan palmIt scored low marks on a wind-resistance study, and is susceptible to uprooting in storm-prone regions. 02 of 05 Yaupon Holly Plant: Yaupon hollyThese red berry–sprouting evergreen shrubs stand up to salt and moisture, and are even more wind resistant when cultivated in groups. Reconsider: Carolina laurel cherryThese trees sport similar features to the Yaupon holly, but their low wind resistance and toxic berries make them less appealing. 03 of 05 Live Oak James Forte/Getty Images Plant: Live oakThere's a reason these stereotypically Southern trees have a reputation for growing old: They can survive almost anything, from intense winds and salt spray to shallow, sandy coastal soil. Reconsider: Water oakIt grows naturally in coastal regions, but its greater susceptibility to disease often means reduced life spans. 04 of 05 Canary Island Date Palm Plant: Canary Island date palmTaller, stockier members of the palm tree family, they're known for having long, stiff leaves and pineapple-like trunks. These palms thrive best when old or low-hanging fronds are trimmed regularly. Reconsider: Queen palmThis tall, slender palm can be a risky bet in neighborhood landscapes due to its poor track record for hurricane survival. 05 of 05 Crape Myrtle Amy Hudecheck/Getty Images Plant: Crape myrtleIt loses fewer branches than most trees in high winds and rain, and grows best on the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts, and from Maryland to Florida. Reconsider: Sand pineAptly named for its natural growth in sandy soil, this often tall tree has a shallow root system, making it a vulnerable and potentially damaging wind target. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit