As hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30, approaches, it's crucial to prepare not only your home and family but also your trees. Trees are vulnerable to the high winds and heavy rains brought by hurricanes and tropical storms. While nothing can be done to fully protect trees from the most severe hurricanes (category 4 or 5), there are several measures you can take to minimize damage from category 1-3 hurricanes or tropical storms.

Selecting the Right Trees

Quality Matters
Choose trees labeled "Florida Fancy" or "Florida #1," which have a single trunk and require minimal training to develop a strong structure.

Size and Space Considerations
Large trees need extensive rooting zones, with roots spreading three to five times the canopy diameter. Planting large trees in small yards can increase the risk of them toppling over. Opt for tree species that stay relatively small if you have limited space. Always consider the mature size of the tree when selecting a planting site.

Pruning for Strength

Importance of Early Pruning
Structural pruning is best done when the tree is young, ideally within the first ten years. This formative pruning helps strengthen the tree, and the smaller wounds heal faster.

Pruning Tips

• Avoid Flush Cuts: Never cut a branch flush with the trunk.
• Avoid "Liontailing" or "Overlifting": This involves removing side branches from a large branch, leaving only those at the end, which can weaken the branch.
• No "Hat Racking" or "Topping": Cutting the top off a tree is illegal and dangerous.
• Avoid Root Pruning: Digging around tree roots can destabilize the tree.
• Pruning Methods: Use removal cuts (cutting a branch back to the trunk or parent branch) or reduction cuts (shortening a branch by cutting it back to a smaller limb).
• Canopy Management: Do not remove more than 25% of the canopy in a single pruning event. Palm trees do not need hurricane pruning as they naturally adapt to wind storms.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Trees are resilient and can live over a century, enduring hurricanes and storms. However, they cannot withstand human errors such as poor tree selection, improper planting, and incorrect pruning. Following these guidelines can help ensure that your trees are well-prepared for hurricane season and can thrive for many years.

For more detailed information and expert advice, feel free to contact us at (813) 516-4459. Our team is here to help you with all your tree care needs.