The cache is not located at the posted coordinates but fairly close to it. This is a simple two stage multi.
Melaleuca(MEL-ah-LUKE-ah), Scientific name: Melaleuca quinquenervia. The Melaleuca was first brought to Florida from Australia around 1900 and was used as an ornamental tree and as a soil stabilizer in an attempt to “dry up” the Everglades, but it quickly started spreading out of control as it did not had the opposition of its natural environment enemies like diseases and parasitic insects. The Melaleuca is a very good host for other non native virus and insects and causes native plants to die. The Melaleuca is now listed by federal and state agencies as a noxious weed, making it illegal to possess, sell, cultivate, or transport Melaleuca in Florida.
Some of the most visible characteristic of Melaleuca is its pale, papery bark that peels easily. It can grow to an average height of 50 to 70 feet. The flower of the Melaeuca looks like a bottle brush and once it is pollinized and wilts, the seeds appear like a cluster of woodsy round seeds. A single mature tree can hold 100 million seeds. As you can see, if not handle properly, I can me a big problem.
The Melaleuca has taken over many other plants communities and sawgrass marshes in Florida. They are fragile and shallowrooted and with their paper like bark and oily leaves burns very hot during wild fires. Native animals do not feed on it and once spreads outgrows native plans and becomes a useless forest in our communities.
One positive thing of the Melaleuca is that it is great mulch, but processing it has to be done with most caution as now you know how quickly and how many seeds each tree holds. There are areas of South Florida that are trying to eradicate this tree. The use of herbicides, insects, and proper disposal of the tree and the treatment of the stumps to prevent regrowth has been accomplished. Remember, it is illegal to possess Melaleuca, and any existing tree can be a source of millions of seeds.
At the posted coordinates you will find a permanent marker with interesting information. You are solving for N 26 03.YYY W 080 14.0ZZ To find the final to this puzzle- Subtract 1229 from the year the land was donated to the Town of Davie. The result will give you YYY. Subtract 1826 from the year this Melaleuca tree was about planted. The result will give you ZZ.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.