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Featured Articles

THE ECONOMICS OF MOUNT DORA'S TREES

5/8/2015

10 Comments

 
It's not all about charm, shade and history. Mount Dora's street trees have significant economic benefits.  

Research shows street trees enhance a community's economic stability by attracting businesses and tourists alike, according to the Southern Group of State Foresters.    The group states, "Customers are willing to pay as much as 10% more for certain goods and services if businesses are located on tree-lined streets" and that shade encourages patrons to linger and shop longer. Another group, American Forests, reports customers will pay up to 12% more in tree-lined shopping districts.

In Mount Dora's downtown core, many commercial rents are disproportionately higher than other tourist areas in Florida. Additionally, downtown Mount Dora has fewer busy months than other areas of high tourism.  Due to its inland location, downtown Mount Dora businesses depend on a single 6 month busy season,  while other Florida tourist areas have 2 seasons:  a winter snowbird season and a summer beach season. Therefore, any sustained reduction in revenue is critical to the economic health of downtown.  

Shade trees can lower air-conditioning costs of a business by decreasing energy use.  "If planted near a building, trees can reduce energy bills by up to 40 percent",  according to American Forests, the nation's oldest, non-profit conservation organization.  Likewise, reducing shade increases energy costs.  Mount Dora businesses in the Sunset Building on Third Avenue and Baker where oak trees were removed and replaced with palm trees last year, have experienced sharp increases in their electric bills.  Earth Diva Designs and Two B's Studio energy costs have risen an estimated 30 percent, according to Sonya Watson, owner of Earth Diva.

A significant rise in energy costs combined with disproportionate rents and the potential reduction of what customers are willing to spend in the area would negatively impact the existing downtown businesses community, as well as deter new businesses.  

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Picture
4th Avenue after
Picture
4th Avenue before
Picture
Third Avenue after
Picture
Third Avenue before
10 Comments
Dave DeProspero
5/11/2015 01:47:25 am

Mtd council MUST start replacing the remaining removed trees w shade trees....MTD shouldn't end up looking like every other FL town w PLAMS...come on!!!! what do the new signs say.....A SPECIAL PLACE..

well then "be special"... And approve NO MORE PALMS!!!

Reply
Jim Murray
5/11/2015 03:00:24 am

Shade trees are a must. Remember to be at the meeting on the 19th. Your opinion matters!!!

Reply
john
5/12/2015 03:51:57 pm

Pretty obvious to me, you need to plan some new trees

Reply
Amy Beer
5/11/2015 03:45:55 am

Maybe a few of the extra large parallel parking spaces can be turned into planters for oak trees. Palms are for the beach and they don't give us enough shade. Crap myrtles are also a cheap cop-out weed.

Reply
Frank Driggers
5/11/2015 04:27:38 am

i love palm trees. And those 100 year old palms conveniently left out of the above pic are gorgeous!

Reply
Cindy Sonne
5/11/2015 06:43:03 am

It would be a shame if this caused this one time beautiful old charm city into a ghost town. Like so many of them are. It could not only impact business owners but it will impact residences as well if that happens. Things like this can be far reaching from an economic impact prospective! It's a shame.

Reply
Michael Herd
5/11/2015 07:37:37 am

I live in Dunnellon FL. I go to Mount Dora every chance I get, I just love this old town. I have been their 3 times already in the past 2 months and planing to again this month. I noticed the road work at the time I did not know what was going on. I just thought they were doing road work. It sickens me to know they are tearing down some of the history of this beautiful town. I have to agree with Dave, Jim, Amy, and Cindy we need these trees, Yes it's much easier to take care of palms then oaks for the county, but this is what sets the town apart from other towns. Not only are they taking beautiful and history from this place, they are turning it into a modern looking town. I believe this will have a great impacted on this town. We live in such a lazy generation, rather then take the time to trim Mt Dora's trees, it's easy to cut down History, Charm and heritage and what the was built around. Don't you city official think you have destroyed enough small towns already all in the name of progress. I knew that blood sucking Orlando would one day consume this town and it will look like any other suburb. So much of Florida's history has been destroyed in the name of progress. And all I can say is it truly sickens me to my core. Why don't we just doze it all under and build a thyme park and put up some high rise hotel, and maybe then Miss Mayer you will be happy another piece of Florida history gone!!!

Reply
Lori Tankel
5/11/2015 10:39:50 am

What a shame that one of my favorite towns has been destroyed by human. One of the appeals of Mt. Dora was its comparison to being a New England town....well guess what...they don't have palm trees in New England! I guess I will stick to Winter Park where oak trees are appreciated!

Reply
Bryan
5/11/2015 02:24:19 pm

Is there any constructive plan for Friday night or are just showing our support by being there?

Reply
steve
5/11/2015 03:53:44 pm

Every tree that was removed had misteltoe ,dead topps,and slime flux comeing from the crotches all the live oaks where just trimmed.

Reply

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  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
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    • Outdoor Life
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Government & Education
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    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Development Buzz
    • Who Knew?
    • Buzz Polls
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
    • Fall Festivals & Halloween Events
    • Best Local Pumpkin Patches
    • Holiday Event Guide
    • Mount Dora Community Toy Drive
  • The Best of....
    • Best of Mount Dora
    • Best of Eustis
    • Best of Tavares
    • Best of Mount Dora Take-out
  • Things to Do
  • Dining
  • Live Music
  • Lodging
  • Photos
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • City Scenes
    • Colorful Cottages of Mount Dora
    • Holiday Lights
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • Contact
    • News Desk
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    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Social Media Services
    • Suggest a Restaurant Visit
    • Submit Pic of the Day
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