Amid Hurricane Season, caring for your lawn can feel like a hopeless pursuit. Although the odds may seem low, there are lots of ways to dramatically increase your chances of maintaining your land.
With Hurricane Helene behind us –and Milton staring us in the face– we at Ocean View Landscape Management have curated the best methods to help your lawn survive before and after the storm.
Before
According to the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, the best way to prevent storm damage is in planning. The way trees are planted is essential to consider in storm damage prevention. Research from past hurricanes tells us that there are three main factors to consider when planting your landscape: species, soil, and culture.
Species
Considering a tree’s species means choosing stronger trees with sturdier root systems, trunks, and branches, for starters. More specifically, the University of Florida’s research tells us that the Sand Live Oak tree is the most wind resistant during a hurricane. Other options for strong trees include the Southern Magnolia, Bald Cypress, Gumbo Limbo, Crape Myrtle, and the Pindo Palm.
Soil & Roots
More than species type, the soil and roots surrounding the trees can make or break chances of survival. What we’ve learned in past years is that roots need to be deep, healthy, and supported.
Roots need to be checked regularly for rotting; trees with unhealthy roots will most likely fall down pretty quickly in a tropical storm. Symptoms of root rot include fungal growth near the base, stunted growth patterns, and a gradual or sudden decline, seemingly without reason.
Trees with shallow roots are far more likely to “uproot” during a hurricane. If planted in confined spaces, their root systems are unable to spread and develop correctly, causing a lack of support. Aerial roots on ficus trees may do well during a storm because the extended roots help secure the tree to the ground.
Culture
Isolated trees that are in poor condition are highly prone to getting swept away and produce the most amount of debris, according to the University of Florida’s research. Neighborhoods covered with more trees have a significantly reduced amount of damage than those with only a few. This might seem strange, but trees planted in groups are more likely to survive because they provide mutual support in their time of need.
As important as pruning is, especially before a tropical storm hits, it is possible to over-do it. Larger pruning cuts have been known to cause decay, cracking the tree and leading to heavier breakage during high wind.
After
Restoring your landscape is a trickier business than protecting it; the damage is already done. After clearing the general debris, the first step is to assess your losses. When you’ve decided which trees are worth saving, then you can begin developing a response plan.
Before attempting to bring your trees back to life, consider its size, species, age, and the amount of harm done during the storm. Generally, most trees take 2-5 years to recover, but younger, smaller trees take less time to recover compared to older, more mature trees. Decay-resistant trees also heal a lot faster, but it depends on how badly the tree has been damaged. The more damage, the more time and effort needed to restore.
Now you can create a response plan. After removing hazards, you can keep smaller or more recently planted trees stable by placing stakes against them. Before leaving the trees to allow them to regenerate, make sure your trees are well-pruned of broken branches and other debris. If you are planning a multi-year restoration plan for surviving larger and more mature trees, know that it can take 5 or more years of planned pruning.
For more information on protecting and restoring your landscape, visit Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program’s website. As always, please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your landscaping.