Timing, technique keys to trimming trees
No one wants flying yard debris to injure someone or damage property during a hurricane. So planning ahead can reduce the amount of loose stuff and protect your property at the same time.
Before you start pruning dead branches and fronds from your trees, keep these tips in mind.
1-Don’t trim trees and shrubs after a hurricane warning or watch is announced. Don’t take vegetation to the curb, either. Debris may be be able to be picked up before the storm and you could be creating more problems than you are solving.
2-As part of your regular hurricane season preparedness and maintenance, cut back all trees and weak branches that could contact buildings.
3-Have your foliage thinned so wind can flow freely through branches, decreasing the chance that trees/plants will be uprooted.
4-Buy good quality trees and trees that are adapted to south Florida. Buy “Florida
Fancy” or “Grade #1” trees whenever possible. These trees have one trunk and need
little additional training to form a good quality tree. Buy trees that thrive in USDA Planting Zone 10.
5-When pruning, never cut a branch flush with the trunk. Cut to the outside of the branch collar, where the branch meets the trunk. Properly done, this technique does not injure the trunk.
6-Don’t remove large limbs unless they are obstructing traffic, pedestrians, or are
hazardous. Avoid removing branches that are more than 2” in diameter.
7-Avoid “liontailing” and “overlifting.”
8-Liontailing removes smaller branches on large branches, leaving the foliage only on the ends of branches so the limbs look like a lion’s tail.
9-Overlifting, or removing lower branches of trees, can make trees more vulnerable to wind damage and rot.
10. Palms are adapted to wind storms and don’t need hurricane pruning. Removing fronds is of no benefit and is detrimental to the palm. Even dying leaves benefit the health of the palm and should not be removed until completely brown. Only coconuts and large palm seeds should be removed during hurricane season.