Every year, Floridians around the state prepare for the possibility of storm impacts during our annual hurricane season. Hurricane season begins in June and runs through November. This period is marked by a greater likelihood of hurricane activity. Hurricanes and other intense weather conditions can impact our urban forest canopy in various ways (see: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR173).
For example, wind intensity and speed can influence damage to trees. Rainfall, flooding, and soil saturation can impact root systems. The surrounding conditions of the urban forest and site can also affect how a tree is impacted by a storm. Trees growing in groups may be less vulnerable than trees growing alone. A tree may be susceptible to storm impacts based on species, age, health, or structure. For example, an urban forest with many older trees nearing the end of their lives, or poorly maintained trees, may be more likely to experience damaging effects than a forest with younger trees or trees with a mix of older and younger trees and different tree species, or well-maintained trees.
In research about managing urban trees for storms, urban forestry professionals agreed that proactivity, planning, and collaboration could help reduce negative impacts from storm events. Communities may consider incorporating data-driven tools for planning, selecting, and planting trees that are more wind resistant. For homeowners, it is also helpful to think about what makes trees more or less vulnerable to storms when selecting new trees to add to the landscape. Preventative pruning and pruning to improve a tree’s structure help to minimize risks from trees.
A proactive approach to managing urban trees for hurricane season in Florida
To support a proactive approach for communities and individual residents in managing urban trees and storms, the UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension Council has put together several resources about preparing, responding to, and recovering from storm events:
Preparing Trees and Landscapes for Severe Weather
- A comprehensive guide from UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation and Recovery, offering best practices for protecting landscapes from storm impacts.
Developing a Preventive Pruning Program
- A practical guide to recognizing and correcting structural issues that cause trees to fail.
Preparing Mature Trees for Hurricanes
- A blog post by UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension Agent Jamie Daugherty Hagyari with tips for assessing and protecting older trees.
- A UF/IFAS Extension webinar discussing pruning strategies that reduce storm-related tree risks.
- A helpful series of articles on evaluating damage, salvaging trees, and safe practices post-storm.
- A UF/IFAS guide focused on post-storm safety, hazard removal, and cleanup prioritization.
- Start here for guidance on choosing replacement trees, using Florida’s Tree Search tools, and learning about suitable species for resilient landscapes.
0
