Special to The Breeze

Hurricane season is officially here, extending from June 1 to Nov. 30 with storms typically peaking in August and September. According to NOAA, the 2020 Hurricane Season is forecast to have above normal activity, with a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes. Hurricane-force winds can be extremely damaging to trees and can pose significant risks to property and personal safety. The University of Florida has studied the effects of 10 major hurricanes starting with Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and the work provides excellent guidance for Florida homeowners for managing trees during hurricane season.

Some tree species resist wind better than others. In Southwest Florida, palm species survive hurricanes better than broadleaf or conifer trees. Other trees that have exhibited high wind resistance include sand live oaks, laurel oaks, southern magnolias, dogwood, holly and crape myrtle. Trees that exhibit low wind resistance include laurel oaks, southern red cedars and pines/conifers. Native tree species also survive better in hurricanes and tend to lose less branches than exotic species such as melaleuca, Australian pine and queen palm. Older trees are also more likely to fail in hurricanes because they are more susceptible to insects and diseases that weaken branches. Trees with poor structure, such as two or more trunks of equal size, are also more vulnerable to wind damage. Unhealthy trees with decayed root systems, trunk decay or large dead branches are also more susceptible to wind damage.

What steps can you take to protect your trees (and your property) before a hurricane? When you plant new trees, choose tree species that have proven to be more wind resistant. More information on the best wind resistant trees to plant in Southwest Florida can be found on the University of Florida website Trees and Hurricanes at: hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandhurricanes/selecting_southern.shtml. Monitor your mature trees for signs of decline and disease which could cause poor survival in hurricanes. Good structural pruning will ensure that your trees are less likely to suffer wind damage. Make sure that your trees have sufficient aerial space under power lines and near structures. Do not damage root systems during construction as compromised root systems make trees more vulnerable to wind damage. Consider removing damaged trees before hurricanes; a certified arborist can help determine which trees should be considered for removal. Also note that “hurricane trimming” for palms is NOT recommended; palms are naturally able to survive high winds and removing fronds can actually be harmful to the trees.

What can you expect after a hurricane? Pine trees may not show immediate damage but may decline over a period of 6 months to 2 years after windstorms. Carefully monitor pines as damage can be hidden; check closely for signs of stress such as insects or disease or sudden yellowing needles. Some trees may also lose all or some of their leaves, but they are not necessarily dead. Leaf loss is a strategy that trees employ to help them survive high winds. Over time the tree may leaf out again; trees such as live oak and gumbo limbo readily lose leaves and small branches and will leaf out again in a few months or in the spring of the following year. Palms may also lose all their fronds and still survive; the best species for wind resistance are sabal palms, Canary Island date palms and manila palms. Queen and Washington palms have exhibited lower survival rates during hurricanes in Southwest Florida. Allow at least 6 months after a hurricane for palms to put out new fronds, and check for hidden root, stem or bud damage.

Cathy Dunn is a Master Gardener and Garden Club of Cape Coral member.