Oftentimes, the primary difference between minimizing storm damage and sustaining a complete loss to landscape trees, gardens and flower beds comes down to how well your landscape is managed.
During the Florida storm season, unpredictable summer downpours and even severe thunderstorms sometimes seemingly come out of nowhere. Maintaining a green thumb all year long on your landscape will profoundly enhance its chances of survival. Plants that are properly fertilized and pruned on a regular basis have the best rate of survival from high winds, rains, and even drought conditions.
A few key tips to keep in mind during this summer’s storm season are:
- Properly maintain and prune trees to enable them to withstand heavy gusts of wind.
- Prune low-hanging branches and remove weak or dead limbs.
- Inspect the base of the tree for fungal growth - which could be a sign that the tree has rot or decay, indicating severe weakness.
- Trees that are heavily weighted on one side more than the other need to be balanced, especially if the heavier side is opposite the prevalent winds.
- Remove any limbs that encroach upon a structure.
- When choosing plants and trees, remember to choose wind resistant breeds first. (these include conifers, palms and dicots like crape myrtles, live oaks, southern magnolias, bald cypress, some hollies and various sand live oaks).
