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Shade Trees Hurricanes and Southwest Florida

Having just experienced the wrath of Hurricane Irma and as we are going through the cleanup process there may be a pause for thought to rid our landscapes of what we deem to be “messy” shade trees.

Gumbo Limbo Trees in the Everglades National Park

Yes, Hurricane Irma has become an inconvenience and so will future storms. However, it is imperative that we learn to preserve our urban tree canopy. Research over the years has confirmed the significant value and benefits that mature urban trees offer to our neighborhoods. A number of our neighborhoods have smaller trees that were decimated by Irma’s strong winds. It is these trees that are going to become mature tree canopy of tomorrow.

With new attention being paid to global warming causes and impacts more is becoming known about negative environmental impacts of treeless urban neighborhoods. We at GreenTech SOS, Inc. would like to impress upon the community at large to help save those trees that may have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Irma.

If, for some reason you are unable to save a particular shade tree and would like to consider replacing your shade tree; I would like to take this opportunity to make the following recommendations:

· replace with trees that are slow-growing trees stand a better chance against hurricanes

· native trees, especially those with a wide-spreading canopy, low center of gravity, strong deep penetrating roots, and a small leaf size may hold up better and tropical storms especially if they are growing in a cluster of trees.

· Southern Magnolias fared extremely well during Hurricane Irma. I was amazed to see very little damage to recently planted Southern Magnolias, especially in the Lakewood Ranch area. Their large leaves seem to withstand the high wind speeds.

Please find a list of “not so common” shade tree replacements for your landscape:

o Sand Oak
o Pigeon Plum
o Ironwood
o Fiddlewood
o Gumbo Limbo
o Spicewood
o Myrsine
o Marbleberry
o Green Buttonwood
o Pond Apple
o Wild Cinnamon
o Sweet Mahogany

· Finally, it is important to consider planting your trees in groves or clusters, all the while keeping in mind that a significant amount of our community trees are native trees that have evolved to withstand coastal storms and flooding.

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How long can trees and palms survive flooding and heavy winds before injury results?

Florida Trees and Storm Damage

As you might expect, this has become an all too frequent question lately as torrential rains and bloated rivers continue to plague many regions in Florida. Fortunately for most trees and palms, the prospect for survival and continued growth is good. Even flood-sensitive trees and palms will escape injury if flood waters recede in seven days or less. But, if flood waters cover roots of sensitive trees for longer periods, injury symptoms such as leaf chlorosis (yellowing), downward curling of leaves, leaf drop, and branch dieback may occur. And in a few extreme cases, entire trees may die.

Which palms are tolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Paurotis Palm/Everglades Palm
– Florida Thatch Palm
– Coconut Palm
– Cabbage Palm
– Saw Palmetto
– Royal Palm

Which palms are intolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Queen Palm
– Washington Fan Palm

Which trees are tolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Pond and Bald Cypress
– Live Oak
– Gumbo Limbo
– Seagrape
– Strangler Fig
– Cocoplum
– Mastic
– Dahoon Holly
– Pond Apple
– Black Ironwood
– Stoppers
– Myrsine
– Buttonwood
– Red Bay
– Jamaican Caper

Which trees are intolerant of flooding and heavy winds?

– Australian Pine
– Yellow Tabebuia
– Norfolk Island Pine
– Black Olive
– Weeping Fig
– Carrotwood
– Royal Poinciana
– Silk Oak
– Java Plum
– Hong Kong Orchid
– Jacaranda
– Earleaf Acacia
– Eucalyptus
– Javanese Bishopwood

Researchers have found these species suffer severe injury or die if flood waters persist over their roots for one month or less.

Flood waters will eventually recede but soils will undoubtedly remain wet for a long time. Saturated, poorly-drained soils may pose the greatest hazard for trees and palms, particularly if this waterlogged condition persists for an extended period. If oxygen cannot penetrate to roots, trees may exhibit symptoms associated with flooding. Warm, dry weather is the only cure for this chronic and potentially deadly soil condition. Another hidden danger resulting from flooding is the deposition of sediment over tree roots. Silt and sand deposited to a depth greater than 3 inches also may impede movement of oxygen to tree roots, especially on small or newly-planted trees. When possible sediment should be removed.

Except in cases where flood waters persist for months or where trees and palms have been injured by the sheer force of rushing water, most trees experiencing flood conditions should survive. If flood- sensitive species begin to show flood damage symptoms, recovery may begin once soil oxygen levels return to a more favorable state. During this recovery period it is important that any additional stresses be eliminated. In addition, if dead or dying branches are noticed in the tree crown, they should be removed as quickly as possible. And beware of so-called “tree experts” recommending rescue treatments for affected trees. Fertilization is not a cure or remedy for root injury caused by flooding! Finally, avoid planting sensitive species in flood-prone areas in the event of future flooding events.