UBCNews - Business - Florida Storm Prep: How to Spot Hazardous Trees Before Hurricane Season

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

Hey everyone, welcome back! Today we're getting into something every Florida homeowner should be thinking about right now—spotting hazardous trees before hurricane season hits. And I've got the perfect guest to walk us through this. Welcome! Watch’em Grow Tree and Lawn City: Daytona Beach Address: 308 Laurel Dr Website: https://watchemgrowinc.com

Hey, everyone. Welcome back. Today we're getting into something every Florida homeowner should be thinking about right now, spotting hazardous trees before hurricane season hits. And I've got the perfect guest to walk us through this. Welcome. Thanks for having me. Yeah, this topic is critical. Hurricane season brings those high winds and heavy rains. And honestly, trees can be one of the biggest threats to your property if you're not prepared. Absolutely. So, let's start broad. Why should Florida homeowners be so concerned about their trees when a storm is brewing? Well, think about it. When a hurricane rolls through, you've got winds that can exceed 100 melitrotomies combined with saturated ground from all that rain. Trees with weak branches, damaged trunks, or shallow root systems, they become falling hazards. They can topple onto homes. They can topple onto home. blocks emergency pathways, or even turn into dangerous projectiles.

Right, and it's not just the tree itself. Branches and debris flying around can smash windows, damage roofs, or take out power lines. Exactly. Dead or dying trees are particularly risky because they're brittle. They're highly likely to snap or fall during a storm. And overgrown branches?

They increase the likely to the likely to snap increase the likelihood of breakage in high winds. So, um, how do you identify a hazardous tree? What are the warning signs homeowners should look for? Great question. There are multiple key indicators. First, look for dead or damaged branches. Large dead limbs, cracks, splits in the trunk, or major limbs.

Those are red flags. Also, check for diseased or decayed wood. If you see fungal growth, see fungal growth at the base of the tree or hollow spots, that tree's structural integrity is compromised. Mm-hmm. I hear you. Another thing, structural problems.

Trees with V-shaped crotches, where two branches meet at a sharp angle, are weaker than those with U-shaped crotches. They're more prone to splitting. Also, if you've got crossing branches rubbing against each other, that's a problem. What about leaning trees? I mean, some trees naturally lean a bit, right? Yes, but there's a threshold. Trees leaning more than 15 degrees from vertical,

especially if you see soil heaving around the base, are at higher risk of failure during high winds. And poor root structure, like girdling roots that grow around the trunk, can weaken the tree's anchorage, making it vulnerable to uprooting. That point about tree anchorage and root stability really sets up our next piece, how pruning can actually help. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Preparing your Florida property for hurricane season, watch them grow.

Tree and lawn specializes in hazardous tree removal, trimming, and stump grinding to help protect your home. They also offer land clearing, grading, excavation, and full service design and maintenance for your outdoor spaces. Whether you need storm prep or year-round tree care, their team is ready to be. help you safeguard your property. Learn more at watchmgrowinck.com. Picking up on tree anchorage and root stability, how do you handle trees that have been improperly pruned or have structural weaknesses? Can pruning help? Definitely. Proper pruning, specifically crown thinning, can reduce what's called the sail effect. When a tree has a thick canopy, it acts like a sail. wind blows against it instead of through it.

Crown thinning allows wind to pass through more easily, reducing the risk of breakage. So you're lightening the load and improving airflow. That makes a lot of sense. What about trees that have been topped in the past? Oh, topped trees are a nightmare. Topping causes weak, poorly attached new growth that's highly susceptible to breaking during high winds.

If a tree's been topped, it needs a professional inspection. Same goes for lion tailing, where inner branches are removed, leaving heavy foliage only at the ends. Those long bare branches with foliage at the tips get whipped around in storms and break easily. I've also heard Spanish moss can be an issue. Is that true? Yeah, a very large amount of Spanish moss can add significant weight to branches when it's wet. increasing the load during a storm and potentially causing limb breakage, especially on already weakened branches or unhealthy trees.

Actually, I remember inspecting a massive live oak once, beautiful tree, but it had so much moss it looked like it was wearing a shaggy green coat. Owner loved the look, but we had to explain the storm risk. Huh, a fashionable tree, but not exactly storm-ready. Exactly. So we've established the warning signs and how pruning helps. But let's talk resilience. What tree species are most resilient to hurricanes,

and how should they be planted for long-term protection? Good question. Florida has a subtropical climate with intense hurricane winds, frequent flooding, and high salt content in coastal areas. All of that contributes to tree vulnerability. The University of Florida's IFAS extension actually recommends choosing hurricane-resistant tree species and using proper planting techniques.

Right, that makes sense. So certain trees are naturally more resilient. They have stronger wood, deeper root systems, and better structure. When you plant them, you want to ensure they're not too close to homes, garages or power lines. Trees situated too close to structures present an elevated hazard. And newly planted or recently transplanted trees

may not have developed strong enough root systems yet, so proper staking can give them extra support. Right. So to everyone listening, have you checked your trees lately? Seriously, take a walk around your property and look for those warning signs we talked about. Do you see any cracks, any leaning, any dead branches? Yeah, and don't wait until the last minute.

The ideal time for preventive pruning in Florida is during late winter or early spring, when trees are dormant or just before new growth begins, allowing them to heal before the onset of hurricane season. Hurricane season itself runs from June 1 to November 30th, so basically early action protects you later. Getting ahead of the storm is really about preparing well before it arrives. That's powerful. I had a neighbor once who ignored a dead oak in his yard.

When a tropical storm came through, it crashed right through his garage. Could have been prevented with a little foresight. Exactly. Dead or dying trees should be removed before hurricane season. No exceptions. They're significantly more likely to fall and cause damage. And even if a tree doesn't fall, broken branches and debris become projectiles, damaging roofs, windows, and power lines. And let's be real. You don't want to be the person blocking the street when emergency vehicles need to get through.

Right. Preemptively removing hazardous trees ensures clear pathways for emergency services. The Florida Forest Service emphasizes that regular tree maintenance is a vital component of hurricane. preparedness. Other Florida State and local agencies such as the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Preparedness and Response and Miami Dade County's Environmental Resources Division also provide tips and resources on managing trees before and after storms. So here's the takeaway. Proactive tree care is safety, its protection and honestly it's peace of mind. Inspect your trees, look for those

warning signs and get professional help if you spot problems. Couldn't have said it better. Hurricane season is unpredictable, but your preparation doesn't have to be. Take action now, and you'll be glad you did when that next storm rolls through. Thanks so much for breaking this down with us today. Everyone, stay safe out there, and we'll catch you next time.