Choosing the right tree is not as simple as finding a species native to your area. Soil, drainage, sunlight and available growing space all influence whether a tree will thrive or eventually need to be replaced.RES arborist Larsen McBride saw an opportunity to make that science easier to use. Working with Dr. Ryan Klein at the University of Florida, he developed a tutorial for the updated Florida Tree Selector, helping homeowners, landscape professionals and restoration practitioners make smarter, site-specific planting decisions.
As part of our ongoing look at innovation across RES, we spoke with Larsen about translating technical knowledge into a practical resource, avoiding common planting mistakes, and one Florida tree he thinks deserves more attention.
READ NEXT > What Is RES' Innovation Leadership Program?
Q&A with Larsen McBride, RES Arborist
Larsen McBride, RES Arborist, participating in a volunteer tree planting event in Alachua County, Florida.
Q: How did this tree selection website come about?
Larsen: Dr. Ed Gilman at the University of Florida created the original version decades ago. It had become outdated, so Dr. Ryan Klein, who now holds that arboriculture role at UF, led the charge to modernize it. I worked with him to write a tutorial that would make it more user-friendly and practical for everyday people.
Q: Who is the tool designed for?
Larsen: It’s primarily for the public, homeowners who want to make good decisions about what to plant and where. But we also knew that by making it simple and accessible, we’d help landscape companies too, especially those run by folks with lots of field experience but little formal training. The tool helps bridge that gap between science and practice.
LEARN MORE> Visit the Florida Tree Selector Tool
The Florida Trees website, developed by UF/IFAS, helps users select the right tree for the right place using powerful tools for site analysis, tree search, and species identification.
Q: What kinds of mistakes does the tool help people avoid?
Larsen: A big one is putting the right tree in the wrong place. You might choose a native species like Eastern red cedar, but if you plant it in soggy soil, it won’t thrive. The tool helps you match tree species to actual site conditions, like sun exposure, soil type, and moisture level, so you’re setting yourself up for long-term success.
Alachua County Earth Day tree planting event, 2025.
Q: How does this project connect to your work at RES?
Larsen: While RES doesn’t typically design urban landscapes, we often advise on planting strategies as part of our restoration work. This tool gives us, and our clients, an evidence-based, user-friendly resource for making better planting decisions. It’s also a great example of the kind of support we get at RES to pursue things we feel passionate about in support of the environment.
Larsen teaching kindergarten and 1st grade campers about tree roots and wetlands at Cuscowilla Summer Camp in Micanopy, Florida.
Q: What’s one tree you wish people used more in Florida?
Larsen: Bluff oak. It’s native to Florida’s limestone bluffs and adapts incredibly well to urban conditions, alkaline soils, compacted ground, and limited root space. It won't tear up sidewalks because it sends roots down instead of out. It’s underused and deserves more attention.
Explore more ideas from RES innovators. Learn how our teams are putting science into practice.
Or try the Florida Tree Selector.
