Palm trees offer far less shade, Baraloto said, and their smaller root system means they soak up less of the floodwaters already threatening to overwhelm Miami Beach streets and homes.

"We would actually go from 57% tree canopy of palm trees, which we currently are, to 25% by the year 2050. A lot of that would be adding shade trees, which can be very positive, if done correctly.

Each of the 121 trees in the town's historic and specimen tree program is old, rare or both. Created in 1973 by the Garden Club of Palm Beach, the program helps to preserve the island’s beauty ...

It’s unclear how many fewer palm trees Miami Beach may have in the coming decades, but Wheaton noted that the percentage of palms could be reduced by exclusively adding shade trees to the ...

MIAMI — Whether swaying in the background of a Super Bowl glamour shot or printed on Art Deco-themed postcards, palm trees are synonymous with the sun-and-fun allure of Miami Beach. In a city ...