Oh dear, that doesn't look good. When I'm down there, it seems like I'm the only person in the state that likes and cares about Pinus elliota stands. To me, they are a thing of rare and exceeding beauty, these "pine flatwoods". But to all the guys in bulldozers pushing them into piles, no such love appears to exist! The map does not appear to show that pathogen as active in the area I frequent-the Fort Myers area. Thanks. +oM

it will need to be hardened off ..... moving from indoors.. to outdoors ... you can not take it straight into sunshine ... you could un pot ... separate.. repot in separate pots... and keep them in dark shade for a week ... light shade for a week ... then filtered light .. perhaps sun at dusk or dawn ... the time lengths also take into account the disturbance of the roots from potting .... and then into the sun ... and you could always keep one potted.. in case you kill the others... you will have a fail safe ... eric.. if you cool the grass around a house ... wind will bring the coolness into the house ... your roof and insulation ... are supposed to take care of what hits the roof ... and with the trees further away ... what will not hit the house.. is the leaves falling off and choking your gutters... seed pods ... roof rats who use trees to get up there.. etc .... ken

Hi Actually the only perpetually frost free area is Key West . Generally anything south of the lake is a solid zone 10 though the east coast is usually warmer than the west. of course the closer to the ocean the more stable the temps. I'm in Palm Beach county northern end of zone 10 and have lived here 35 years The last hard freeze was in 09 while the low for the last 3 years has been 42. though 10 miles inland from me there has been frost on several occasions. My personal record low was 27 and of course who can forget that famous snow of 78. Made it all the way to southern Dade county. has not repeated since. Much variation from year to year. Usually the west coast will be 5/10 degrees cooler during the fronts and of longer duration. Often barrier islands will be 5/10 degrees warmer depending on the jet stream. Not sure about property values over there but here they raised my real estate taxes claiming my house is worth 20 grand more lol This area was hit hard by the "bubble" with many foreclosures Judging from local sales there is a definite increase in price as well as sales I would definitely research any area your interested in and be sure to check into flood zones many areas have been having heavy rainfall as well as "KIng " tides . Also check into HOA's particularly if interested in gardening. many of them have strict landscaping rules . Good luck gary

Thanks guys. Yeah, the Edison grounds is where that gigantic kapok is. Good suggestion-I really like the boat tours around there anyway. Was just thinking, there's some big Auricarias-not sure which species-at Koreshan old grounds. Always surprises me seeing any grapes grown down that far south. Thanks for that suggestion as well. +oM