Some Tips for Preparing Your Trees for a Hurricane
Thousands of trees and many communities are damaged each year by heavy winds and rains of hurricanes and tropical storms. Your trees can be spared from the worst damage by following a few practical and simple suggestions. Investigate the condition of your trees. You or a tree professional should look for damage in your trees. Damage includes cracks in the trunk or major limbs; hollow, aged, and decayed trees; hanging branches; improperly formed branches; one-sided or significantly leaning trees; partially dead sections, and branches that may potentially rub your house or garage. Know your tree species- Some species are more prone to storm damage. If you are not certain which type of trees you have in your yard, ask a trained tree professional. They can advise you about type, hurricane vulnerability, as well as what you should plant if you need to replace a tree, and/or what you may want to remove to improve your landscape and make it more hurricane proof. Do not top your trees- Untrained individuals may suggest you to cut back all of the branches, on the mistaken assumption that it will help avoid breakage in future storms. However, a trained professional will advise that "topping," the cutting of main branches back to stubs, is actually extremely harmful and unhealthy for trees. Stubs grow back weaker and are more likely to break when another storm strikes. Also, topping reduces the amount of foliage on which the tree depends for the food and nourishment needed for re-growth. A topped tree that has already sustained storm damage is more likely to die than repair itself. If you do experience damage after a storm, don't try to do all the work yourself. If large limbs are broken or hanging, or if ladder or overhead chain saw work is needed, contact an experienced professional. Professional tree work by qualified professionals is not inexpensive. A reasonable price for professional tree work in Florida ranges from $75-$150 per worker per hour. This price includes liability and workman's compensation insurance, as well as some professional equipment such as a bucket truck and/or a professional climber. Trees are dynamic living things that require proper care. Improper care can lead to premature death, dangerous and weak structures, and exposure to disease. The time to prepare your trees for storms is long before the hurricane season. Pruning trees immediately before a storm leads to improper tree care. Hiring a professionally trained individual who can assist you with pre-storm inspections and post-storm repairs can help avoid unnecessary loss of your trees. Keep your trees healthy, living, and growing. Call us with your questions and let us help you. Thanks for your time. Your trees will love you for it. Jack Leake Affordable Tree and Landscape St. Augustine, FL 32084 904-824-8979