How did your trees fare from the wrath of Hurricane Ian? Many thousands of trees and communities were damaged by the heavy winds and rains of hurricane Ian and many are seeking help for their trees. Perhaps your property was not in Ian’s path, but the hurricane season is not over, and there is always next year. Your trees can be spared from the worst damage by following a few practical suggestions from the International Society of Arboriculture.
Look for potential hazards: Investigate the condition of your trees. You or a certified arborist should look for damage such as cracks in the trunk or major limbs; hollow, aged, and decayed trees; hanging branches; improperly formed branches; one-sided or significantly leaning trees; and branches that may potentially rub the house.
Know your tree species: Some species are more prone to storm damage. Some of the more common trees include: older laurel oak, queen palm, jacaranda, poinciana, Australian pine, slash pine, silk oak, peltophorum, melaleuca, orchid, Chinaberry, gumbo limbo, bischofia, tamarind, acacia, tabebuia, cassia, rosewood, Chinese tallow, ficus, mimosa, avocado and Chinese elm trees.
Do not top your trees: Untrained individuals may urge you to cut back all of the branches, on the mistaken assumption that it will help avoid breakage in future storms. However, professional arborists say that "topping," the cutting of main branches back to stubs, is extremely harmful and unhealthy for your trees. Stubs will often grow back many weakly attached branches that are higher and are more likely to break when a storm strikes. Also, topping will reduce 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 major storm damage is more likely to die than repair itself.
Do not try to do it all yourself: If large limbs are broken or hanging, or if ladder or overhead chain saw work is needed, it is a job for a professional arborist.
Assess the damages: Evaluate your trees carefully by asking the following questions: Other than the storm damage, is the tree basically healthy and vigorous? Are major limbs or the leader (the main upward-trending branch on most trees) branch still remaining? Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown (branches and leaves) still intact? Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure? If you answered "yes" to the majority of these questions, there is a good chance for complete recovery. For assistance, hire an ISA Certified Arborist to determine the tree's conditions.
Can I Stand My Tree back up?: Uprooted trees are often unnecessarily removed under the mistaken idea that they can not be saved. These trees can often be saved but are very dangerous. The tension caused by the roots still in the ground can cause the tree to snap back. Consult the service of a certified arborist if you are unsure about performing this work. Trees lean in storms generally in two ways, friction failure (where long radial roots slide out of the soil), and root-plate failure (where the root plate, about three to four times the trunk diameter, breaks free causing the tree to lean). Trees that suffer friction failures are difficult to straighten and they often fail again later. Root plate failures are easier to repair and have a better chance of long-term survival. Consult the services of a certified arborist with experience in straightening trees after storms.
Beware of price gouging: Sometimes, less credible tree services will take advantage of storm victims. Good tree work by qualified professionals is not inexpensive; however, poor work no matter the price paid can cost you a great deal. A reasonable price for professional tree work in Florida ranges from $125-$175 per worker per hour. This price includes liability and workman’s compensation insurance, as well as basic equipment. It does not include specialty equipment that may be needed such bucket trucks, chippers, cranes, loaders, etc., or hardware that may be installed in the tree.
Trees are dynamic living things that require proper care. Improper care can lead to premature death, dangerous and weak structures, exposure to disease, and worse it may not even solve the critical problems. The time to prepare your trees for tropical storms is long before hurricane season. Pruning trees right before a storm can lead to hasty or improper tree care. Hiring a certified arborist who can assist you with pre-storm inspections and post-storm repairs can help avoid unnecessary loss of your trees.
The International Society of Arboriculture is a non-profit organization supporting tree care research around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, ISA is dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For consumer information and to find a certified arborist, visit www.treesaregood.com. The Florida Chapter (FL-ISA), located in Sarasota, FL, supports research, education, and proper tree care throughout Florida. For professional tree care information (storm damaged trees) visit www.floridaisa.org, or contact Norm Easey, Florida Chapter, at neasey@floridaisa.org