Landscaping is a full-time business in SWFL. Plants and trees grow at astounding rates. Driving around, you see landscapers working everywhere: residential lawns, businesses, roadsides and highway median strips.

Prior to hurricane season, county and city workers replace older trees lining the road with sturdy young ones, trim branches and prop up others with wooden braces. All year round, they labor to cut back bushes and pick up fallen branches and palm fronds. Bushes planted at turnings and intersections need to be pruned every few weeks during the rainy season to keep them from obstructing sight lines. Decorative grasses tower over five feet tall unless they are ruthlessly cut back. 

It’s a constant battle to keep the greenery under control.

If man ever pauses in the struggle, nature gleefully seizes the upper hand.