The Gulf Coast is in the middle of another hurricane season. Well before a hurricane shows up on our doorstep, large shade trees should be checked carefully to make sure they are healthy and in good shape. The time to take care of this is now, not when a hurricane threatens.

Many of our local trees were damaged from previous storms. Trees responded by putting out numerous small branches commonly called water sprouts. It’s the trees way of replacing leaves and branches blown off during high winds. Sprouts on recovering trees grow aggressively, and competition for light and space can lead to long, weak sprouts. To ensure a structurally sound tree, these sprouts should be evaluated and managed every couple of years.

Unfortunately, many people ignore their trees and particularly managing the sprouts. It’s now been several years since major tree damage from a storm in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. Local tree canopies are thick and overloaded with water sprouts.

Before a hurricane shows up, large shade trees should be checked carefully to make sure they are healthy and in good shape. The time to take care of this is now, not when a hurricane threatens. Thinning canopies

According to Bob Ross, certified arborist, “Probably the number one problem I see with landscape trees is that they are not thinned.”

Thinning a tree’s canopy can be helpful to the tree and the surrounding landscape. Thinning allows light to penetrate the inner canopy which will help keep the inner canopy alive. More sunlight reaching the ground can be better for grass and other plants under the tree’s canopy. Thinning can also improve air flow through the canopy. Improved air flow can help reduce the incidents of disease. More importantly, when air passes through a canopy instead of pushing against it, the tree will better resist storm damage.

Photo courtesy of Theresa Friday Thinning is a procedure that must be done in the canopy of the tree. For most homeowners, this means hiring a professional. Hiring the right tree care professional is a worthwhile investment when you consider the value of our trees and the damage that can be done to structures if they fall. For more information on how to hire the right tree care professional, read the University of Florida publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/F R/FR17100.pdf.

Other tips

In addition to thinning, trees should be accessed for branches that hang over a roof. The high winds of hurricanes can cause trees to bend and branches to flail around and cause damage to your roof.

Look at the overall condition of large trees. A tree that is sickly, low in vigor and shows significant signs of rotten or decayed areas in the trunk or termite damage should be cut down if it poses a threat to buildings. Large trees can impact more than your property, so you should consider how your tree might affect neighboring properties as well. Also, look for any large, dead branches. These should be removed, especially if they pose a threat to a building or other structure.

Large trees that are “onesided” or leaning should be pruned to balance out the canopy. After the prolonged rain associated with many hurricanes, the soil may be so soft that trees can topple over if the weight is not properly distributed.

Long before a hurricane hits, have your trees evaluated. Research proves that a professionally pruned tree will withstand high winds better then neglected trees.

Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.