Growing with Trees
Growing With Trees: A Guide to Rebuilding and Protecting Bermuda’s Landscape
Growing with Trees is a comprehensive tree‑planting guide created by Bermuda’s Ministry of the Environment as part of the Millennium Tree Planting initiative. The document serves as both an educational tool and a call to action, encouraging residents, schools, community groups, and businesses to participate in restoring Bermuda’s natural environment through thoughtful tree planting.
The guide blends practical planting advice with an in‑depth look at native, endemic, ornamental, fruit‑bearing, and invasive species, making it an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand Bermuda’s botanical landscape and help shape its future.
Why Trees Matter in Bermuda
The booklet opens with a strong message: trees are central to Bermuda’s fragile ecosystem. They:
Improve air quality
Provide food and habitat for wildlife
Stabilize soils
Offer shade, beauty, and natural cooling
Strengthen the island’s resilience against storms and environmental change
Natural disasters and habitat loss have historically shown how bare and vulnerable the island becomes when tree cover declines. In response, Growing with Trees positions community planting as a proactive, long‑term environmental strategy.
Project Goals and Community Participation
The Tree Planting Program outlined in the resource aims to:
Replace lost trees across the island
Improve woodland areas
Promote environmental stewardship
Inspire a culture of community involvement
Residents are encouraged to get involved in accessible ways, such as planting native species at home, joining community planting days, collecting seeds, starting tree clubs, hosting workshops, or helping maintain woodland sites. The message is clear: everyone can be part of Bermuda’s environmental recovery story.
Planning a Bermuda‑Friendly Landscape
A significant portion of the guide focuses on site selection and preparation, outlining how to design landscapes that support both people and wildlife. Homeowners are guided through planning steps that include:
Identifying objectives such as shade, aesthetics, or edible gardens
Surveying existing conditions like sunlight, soil type, and utilities
Removing invasive exotics
Mapping out plant placement
Incorporating drought‑tolerant native and endemic trees
The emphasis on native and endemic species highlights the advantages of plants that are already adapted to Bermuda’s climate and soils. These species require less maintenance, conserve water, and contribute directly to the island’s ecological health.
Native & Endemic Trees and Shrubs
One of the most valuable sections of the document is the detailed catalogue of Bermuda’s native and endemic species. These include well‑known ecological cornerstones such as:
Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus bermudiana)
Bermuda Palmetto (Sabal bermudana)
Olivewood Bark (Cassine laneana)
Bay Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Yellowwood (Zanthoxylum flavum)
Bermuda Snowberry (Chiococca bermudiana)
Wax Myrtle, White Stopper, and Doc‑Bush
Each profile includes habitat type, height, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, fruiting season, and special notes—practical details that help gardeners choose the right plant for the right place.
Ornamental and Fruit Trees for Bermuda Gardens
Beyond native species, the booklet also introduces a wealth of ornamental and fruit‑bearing trees suitable for Bermuda’s climate. These include familiar favourites such as:
Royal Poinciana
Black Ebony
Scarlet Cordia
Magnolia
Jacaranda
Frangipani
Peach, citrus, loquat, avocado, mango, and more
Each entry provides guidance on size, growth habits, and maintenance needs, helping both novice and experienced gardeners make informed selections.
Identifying and Managing Invasive Flora
The resource also serves as an important educational tool for identifying invasive plants—species that threaten Bermuda’s native flora by spreading aggressively. The guide includes a full list of problematic species such as:
Brazilian Pepper
Indian Laurel
Casuarina
Allspice
Sword Fern
Surinam Cherry
Jumbie Bean
Cat’s Claw Vine
Mother‑in‑Law’s Tongue
Residents are encouraged to report sightings and assist in monitoring invasive species to help protect natural areas from further degradation.
Container Gardening & Additional Resources
Recognizing Bermuda’s limited space, the guide offers a thoughtful section on container gardening, outlining how residents can grow trees and shrubs even in urban or paved environments. It also includes a curated reading list and a field survey sheet for recording invasive species.
A Blueprint for a Greener Bermuda
Ultimately, Growing with Trees is more than a manual—it is a vision for a healthier, more resilient Bermuda. By empowering individuals with knowledge about tree selection, landscape planning, native species, and environmental protection, the guide helps cultivate a shared sense of responsibility for the island’s future.
Whether you’re a homeowner, student, community organizer, or environmental enthusiast, this resource highlights a simple truth: every tree planted is an investment in Bermuda’s ecological well‑being.
