Sally Scalera

Brevard County Horticulture Extension Agent
3695 Lake Drive -- Cocoa FL 32926 -- 321-633-1702

Prepare trees for storm season

June 9, 2007

Now that June is here, we can't escape the fact hurricane season has begun. Though I don't expect a bad hurricane season (blame it on optimism or denial), it always is best to be prepared -- just in case. This month I will teach three classes on storm preparation and repair.

If you own one or more large trees -- I'm thinking 50 feet or taller -- that are planted close enough to fall on any target, complete this checklist soon:

  • See if any large trees are planted less than 12 feet from a sidewalk, driveway or house. The recommendation is to plant large growing trees at least 12 feet away from sidewalks and driveways, because they can cause damage by lifting and cracking. If you do have some large trees planted too close, consider consulting a certified arborist to determine if the tree needs the canopy thinned because of a lack of proper rooting area.
  • Walk around your trees to see if there are any girdling roots visible. A girdling root will be growing close to and around the trunk, eventually strangling the roots on one side of the tree. If a girdling root is present, consult a certified arborist.
  • Does your large tree have more then one main trunk? If yes, do the two trunks form a pronounced "V" where they come together? If yes, you will want to contact a certified arborist.
  • Has there been any construction activity within approximately 20 feet of the tree trunk within the past 10 years? If roots have been cut for a sidewalk, utilities, etc., the tree may be prone to falling in the opposite direction from where the roots were cut.
  • If you have an old (40-50 years old) laurel or water oak tree, get it removed now. After studying the past 11 hurricanes that have hit Florida since Andrew, the laurel oak is the tree that has done the most damage. The laurel and water oaks begin to get root rot when they reach around 40 years old so, the recommendation now is to remove any old laurel and water oaks before the storms arrive.
  • Do you have a tree that has lost a major limb or trunk in a previous storm? It most likely will fail again. This is another finding they discovered after studying the past 11 hurricanes. Trees that lost limbs or had been blown over in a past storm likely do it again. You may want to remove the tree and plant a new one.

If you are in need of a certified arborist, visit www.floridaisa.org.

What not to do
When a palm has a large canopy, it protects the bud, but when the majority of the fronds are removed, the bud is more easily snapped by the wind. Once the bud is snapped, the entire palm will die. So, do not remove any green or yellow fronds from your palms. Only the brown fronds should be removed.

Trees and shrubs that suffer broken limbs should be cleaned up by pruning the damaged limbs. Plants that have been blown over some (less than 45 degrees) should be set back up as soon as possible. If the tree is too heavy, like a citrus tree, you can leave it as is and continue to water and fertilize it. Trees or shrubs that have been totally blown over should just be cut up and removed.