NORFOLK ISLAND PINES
Norfolk Island Pines – we are all familiar with them.
They look so cute in our local garden center shops; they’re adorable in our homes and on our lanais—in a pot; they’re relatively inexpensive, providing a nice alternative to an expensive Christmas tree. But, did you know that those adorable trees, when planted outside in the ground:
• Are very fast growing, growing approximately 2’ per year and can reach heights of 80’–100’.
• Are a magnet for lightning strikes.
• Have shallow root systems and as a result will blow over easily during windstorms or during heavy wet weather, which can bring down power lines or damage property.
• As they age, the branches become brittle and break easily. During wind storms those brittle branches can become flying projectiles.
• When they need to be removed from your property, the removal cost can be quite expensive (current estimate, as of 2025, ranges between $2000–$3500 depending upon the tree’s height).
To combat the many concerns associated with Norfolk Island Pines that are planted outside in the ground, VCC Common Grounds Committee requests that you do not plant these trees. If your property already has a Norfolk Island Pine planted on it, we suggest that you have it removed for your safety as well as the safety of our other residents.
Just a reminder, residents may not plant any trees, shrubs, plants, etc. on any Common Grounds property. All plantings on and maintenance of our Common Grounds areas are handled solely by the Common Grounds Committee.
