Invasive species removal in Highlands County protects the globally significant scrub ecosystems of the Lake Wales Ridge and the productive agricultural lands of the flatwoods and lowlands. We target Brazilian pepper, cogongrass, earleaf acacia, and Old World climbing fern with selective techniques that spare native vegetation. Serving Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Venus, and 1 more communities across Highlands County.
Targeted removal of Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, Australian pine, and other invasive vegetation. Selective clearing that preserves desirable native trees and landscape.
The Lake Wales Ridge is one of the most biologically important landscapes in North America, and invasive species represent the second-greatest threat to its survival after habitat loss. Brazilian pepper aggressively colonizes disturbed scrub, shading out the low-growing endemic plants that depend on open sandy conditions. Cogongrass displaces wiregrass in fire-maintained ecosystems. Removing these invaders is often a condition of development approval and a focus of conservation land management programs funded by state and federal agencies.
The Lake Wales Ridge runs through the heart of the county, supporting globally rare sand scrub ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. Deep sandy ridges alternate with lake-dotted lowlands, flatwoods, and the remnants of once-vast citrus groves. Western areas transition to cattle ranch and wet prairie connected to the Kissimmee River basin. Highlands Hammock State Park preserves ancient hardwood hammock with champion-sized trees.
Citrus grove clearing and conversion as the industry contracts, residential lot preparation in Sebring and Lake Placid, ranch pasture reclamation in the western lowlands, hunting property management on large tracts, homesite preparation on lakefront parcels, and sand mine reclamation projects on depleted ridge sites. Citrus greening disease continues to decimate remaining groves, creating thousands of acres needing clearing or conversion. Sebring and Lake Placid attract retirees seeking affordable lakefront living, driving steady residential clearing demand. The cattle industry in western Highlands requires ongoing pasture maintenance. Solar energy companies are evaluating former citrus land for utility-scale installations. Archbold Biological Station's prescribed burn programs occasionally require firebreak clearing on adjacent private lands.
We assess your Highlands County property in person — evaluating terrain, vegetation density, and equipment access to deliver an accurate T&M quote.
Clear scope, timeline, and expectations documented in our Master Service Agreement before any equipment rolls. No surprises, no hidden charges.
CAT track loaders and 20+ ton excavators mobilize to your Highlands County site. Production-grade equipment means faster timelines and cleaner results.
Owner Jeremiah Anderson walks the finished project with you to confirm every detail meets expectations before we close out the job.
The Lake Wales Ridge harbors the highest concentration of rare and endangered plant species of any region in the continental United States. Archbold Biological Station conducts internationally recognized research on scrub ecology and provides scientific oversight that influences land management countywide. Highlands Hammock State Park, one of Florida's original state parks, protects virgin hardwood hammock and cypress swamp. The Florida scrub jay -- a species found only in Florida -- has critical habitat designations scattered across ridge parcels. Any clearing on sandy ridge soils almost certainly triggers listed species surveys.
Protected species: Highlands County is home to Florida scrub jay, Gopher tortoise, Eastern indigo snake, Sand skink, Blue-tailed mole skink, Florida ziziphus (plant, federally endangered), Highlands scrub hypericum (plant, federally endangered), Scrub blazing star (plant), Cutthroat grass (plant), Crested caracara, Florida black bear. Pre-clearing wildlife surveys may be required depending on habitat type and project scope.
Waterways & buffers: Properties near Lake Istokpoga, Lake June-in-Winter, Lake Placid, Lake Jackson (Sebring), Arbuckle Creek, Josephine Creek, Kissimmee River (western border), Istokpoga Canal may require setback buffers and water management district permits. TreeShop works within all required buffer zones.
Soil conditions: Archbold fine sand -- the signature soil of the Lake Wales Ridge -- is excessively well-drained, nutrient-poor, and supports the endemic scrub vegetation that makes this region globally significant. Astatula and Tavares fine sands occupy other ridge positions. Lower elevations feature poorly drained Myakka and Immokalee fine sands typical of flatwoods. Placid and Samsula muck soils occur in lake margins and depressional wetlands. Former citrus lands sit primarily on Candler and Lake fine sands with good internal drainage.
TreeShop provides professional invasive species removal across Highlands County, including:
$2,500/acre
Time & Materials billing. Free on-site estimate for Highlands County properties. Transport: High.
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Invasive Species Removal in Highlands County