Storm Wise South Florida Landscapes
Landscaping in Hurricane-Prone South Florida

Mark Twain once said, “Everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” While you may not be able to change Florida’s tropical weather, you can take steps to design and maintain a flood- and wind-tolerant landscape.  Then, in the event of a major storm, your landscape will be as prepared as you are.

Before Hurricane Andrew struck southern Miami-Dade County in 1992, major storms were infrequent events in modern-day Florida, and most of the state enjoyed a false sense of immunity to hurricanes. That changed in 2004–5, with record-breaking, back-to-back hurricane seasons pummeling the entire peninsula.  Given the dramatic increase in storm activity, many homeowners have developed hurricane preparedness plans, purchased generators and armored their homes with shuttering systems. While protecting your home and family are certainly the most important preparations you can make, you can also take steps to prepare and protect your landscape.




1. Plan your landscape with storms in mind

Living in Florida means that you live with hurricanes. As you plan and design your landscape, keep in mind that there is no way to completely protect your landscape from storms. However, there are some things you can do to minimize the damage if a storm strikes.  As with Water Wise or Florida-Friendly landscaping, the “Right Plant, Right Place” principle is key to success. 
Recent post-storm evidence indicates that native trees and shrubs with even-spaced, spreading branches, low centers of gravity and strong, deep penetrating root systems fare best in hurricane-force winds. Species like sea grape and gumbo limbo quickly shed their leaves in hurricane-force winds, but the structures of these even-branched trees tend to remain intact, and the foliage quickly re-grows after a storm.
Native palms, such as cabbage and thatch palms, are also highly adapted to strong winds and are known to survive virtually unscathed, even in some of the hardest hit areas of Florida.  In addition to wind tolerance, flooding tolerance and local storm-surge potential should also be taken into consideration.  These factors will vary based on your location in South Florida.
If your neighborhood is prone to inland flooding or portions of your yard collect water during heavy periods of rain, plan your landscape with this in mind and choose flood-tolerant species.  Species like cypress, red maple and pond apple are able to survive a wide range of water conditions. These species can tolerate both low-water periods in the winter and long periods of standing water in storm season.
If you live close to the coast, know the potential for storm surge in your neighborhood. Storm surge brings large amounts of saltwater inland. This saltwater can have a major impact on landscape plants. There are many salt-tolerant species that can be used to minimize post-storm salt mortality.
It is also important to know the mature size of trees and shrubs to avoid future conflicts with fences, buildings and power lines. Mature tree height is extremely important to consider under power lines.  When trees are allowed to grow into power lines, they pose a year-round maintenance issue for the power company and increase the chances that your power service may be interrupted for an extended period after a storm event. 
While planning and evaluating your Storm Wise landscape, it may also be necessary to remove or phase out problem tree species in your design. Some species have extremely low wind tolerance and/or shallow root systems and should not be planted in storm-prone areas.

When planting your new Storm Wise trees, do not stake them tightly. This prevents the plant from gradually adjusting to winds. Always stake and tie the newly planted tree loosely so that the tree can bend and move with the wind. This helps develop a stable root system that can adjust to occasional high wind events. It is also not a good idea to overfertilize or overwater newly installed trees and shrubs. This can increase the crown surface and/or decrease the root area, making the plant more prone to being toppled by the wind.

2. Perform proper maintenance before hurricane season starts

Homeowners who have selected suitable plants, placed them properly and encouraged healthy root systems will have little to do to prepare their landscape for hurricane season. Landscapes are more likely to survive a major storm intact if they are maintained throughout the year. This includes routine trimming of shrubs as well as removal of dead limbs and those located too close to a fence, house or a utility line. This should be done early in the year – well before hurricane season begins on June 1. Piles of branches can become a hazard if waste disposal crews cannot clear them immediately before a storm.  Periodically check your landscape throughout the year, cutting back trees and weak branches that could contact buildings.  Assess the shape of your trees and shrubs and envision what they should look like before you begin pruning. Some trees, such as sea grapes, should have spreading, open canopies; pigeon plums are naturally columnar in shape and develop compact canopies. Regardless of the species, you should regularly thin foliage so that wind can flow freely through the branches of trees and shrubs, decreasing the chance that they will be uprooted in strong winds. This selective pruning routine should start when the tree is young in order to encourage a well-shaped, wind-hardy form.  In addition to the canopy, it is also important to keep the root systems of your trees healthy to prevent unnecessary storm damage. Over-watering and over-fertilization can lead to weak growth and shallow root systems that easily “pop up” in wind events, especially if the soil is saturated.  Encourage deep root systems by following the Water Wise principles, watering only when needed and fertilizing sparingly, if at all.  Avoid cutting tree roots during construction such as swimming pool installation or sidewalk replacement, as it will de-stabilize the tree in a high wind event.  Periodically check your swales and drainage system to ensure that there are no blockages to impede water from flowing away from your property.

3. Prepare when a storm is forecast to strike your area

• Mow your yard before the storm.  This chore may seem inconsequential, but it will make debris easier to clear and it gives you one less thing to worry about post-storm.
• Brown fronds and seed pods on palms should be removed. If you have not already done so, remove coconuts from coconut palm trees and harvest items (e.g. fruits) from other trees that are mature enough to be picked.
• Bring in all potted plants and lawn ornaments.  If they cannot be secured inside, lay them on their sides.
• Stake small trees and tall garden plants with wood, plastic or other sturdy stakes driven at least 8 inches into the ground. Masses of heavy vines growing on fences pull fencing over in high winds. If the mass of vines is extensive, you may want to trim and remove it from fencing. You can also lay arches and trellises on the ground to protect vines growing on them. Anchor them with rope or wire to keep them grounded.
• Remove items of value in areas of your yard where water accumulates or flows through. Remember that storms sometimes bring flooding and storm surge.  Make a last-minute check of your surrounding drainage system to ensure there are no blockages that may prevent water from properly draining in high rain events.  (While it is important to check this when a storm is approaching, it should also be a part of your routine maintenance plan.) If you have waited until the last minute to trim large branches, store them in your garage or other safe place so trimmings don’t become a windblown threat.
• If you own exotic pets such as reptiles or birds, be sure to bring them inside or secure them to prevent escape. Exotic animal populations are a major environmental problem in South Florida. Escapes during storms are a common source of these non-indigenous animals, which can sometimes breed in the wild.

4. Evaluate your landscape carefully
post-storm

Don’t make any hasty landscaping decisions immediately following the storm. Secure and/or remove hazards, but put off pruning and removing desirable trees and shrubs for as long as possible while you repair other areas of your home. The damage to your landscape may look severe in the wake of the storm, but wind-whipped trees and shrubs often look dramatically improved in just a matter of months. You may decide later that the damage was not as severe as you thought.  In addition to wind damage, you may also be faced with flooded areas of your yard for several days or weeks. Flooded conditions can seriously impact water-intolerant species, leading to fruit drop, wilting and root rot. Check your drainage system to ensure there are no blockages. In most cases, there is little you can do to immediately alleviate post-storm standing water.  Some of the symptoms of waterlogging may not appear for more than a year. Be aware of this, and if you choose to remove plants from this area of your yard, replace them with flood-tolerant species. Carefully assess the immediate damage. Factors to consider in making post-storm decisions include:

• Extent of damage
• Location
• Species
• Value it adds to property

Split trunks, broken branches or loosely attached branches are obvious safety concerns and should be taken care of as soon as possible. If the majority of the main branches of the tree are gone, or if the trunk has vertical cracks, the tree has little chance of recovering and should be removed. Once you make the decision to remove a tree, think about your long-term plans for the area. If you are going to leave the stump, cut it flush with the ground. If you plan to replant another tree in the same location and need to remove the stump, leave four feet of the trunk in place. Removal is easier if the stump can be pulled rather than grubbed out of the ground.  If a tree is basically healthy and not creating a hazard, it can generally recover if given post-storm care. Decide which branches must be removed at this time, and cut the damaged branches at the nearest lateral branch or main stem, not in the middle of the branch. Branches smaller than 3-inch diameter can be removed using either pruning shears or a pruning saw. Be sure to make a clean cut, careful not to crush or tear the bark. Use a sharp manual saw or a chainsaw to cut larger branches. If a chainsaw is used, safety rope, a harness, eye and hearing protection are essential.  Tattered fronds should not be removed from surviving palm trees immediately after the storm. Storm-hardy palms have the ability to “mine” nutrients from damaged fronds.  Allow the injured fronds to stay on your palms until they turn brown.  Branches hanging over power lines are major safety hazards. Do not attempt to prune these branches yourself. Contact the power company or an arborist trained in electrical line clearance to have these branches removed. This can be extremely dangerous even if the lines are not “live.”  With proper planning and maintenance, your landscape plants should not interfere with utility lines, but sometimes lines are pulled down by neighboring trees.

If trees and shrubs have been toppled and uprooted, and you would like to try to save them, you must cover exposed root material immediately and keep it moist. Cover the rootball with burlap or soil, and water daily until you are able to upright the tree or shrub. Do not use plastic as it will trap heat and further damage the roots. Prune the toppled tree just enough to balance root losses. Cut broken or dead branches before you pull the tree into an upright position.
It is best to attempt to right downed trees while the ground is still moist. If necessary, remove some soil from beneath the root mass so it will be even with the existing soil grade when pulled upright. You may need to use rope and a come-along tool, depending on the size of the tree or shrub. Once it is back into position, tamp in the original soil around the rootball, fill airpockets and water thoroughly. Stake the tree for the first year to prevent the tree from falling again. Do not use rope, wire, wire in garden hose or any narrow band of material to tie around the tree, as these items can injure the trunk. It is better to use a broad strap, biodegradable rope or other fabric at least one-inch wide and to move the strap periodically over the next year to minimize impacts to the bark.  You should continue watering every other day for at least two weeks. Do not fertilize immediately following the storm as it can damage sensitive new roots that are trying to grow.  Turf and groundcovers should be cleared of debris and mud as soon as possible to allow them to recover. If your landscape had saltwater exposure (via salt spray or storm surge), hose it down thoroughly with fresh water as soon as possible to reduce the potential for salt damage. Periodic flushes of fresh water are critical if your landscape has many salt-intolerant species. Waiting for the symptoms ofStorm Wise Plant List for South Florida.







Storm Wise Plant List for South Florida

Following hurricane cleanup, you may wish to re-landscape your yard. A little bit of planning can help reduce future storm-related problems. First, make certain the plants being considered are appropriate for your area. Consult the SFWMD Water Wise plant guide for horticultural details and Florida-Friendly principles.  In addition, consider the “storm hardiness” of the plant and plan for the approximate mature size and shape of the tree. This will help determine where to locate the plant to minimize pruning due to interference with utility lines or branches rubbing against fences, the house or other structures.


Consider Planting

Paurotis PalmAcoelorrhaphe wrightiiA clumping palm ideal for coastal and wind-prone areas. Withstands high winds, flooding and salt exposure. Suitable adjacent to power lines.

Florida Thatch PalmThrinax radiataSlender-trunked palm that withstands high wind and salt conditions. Can withstand brief post-storm inundation. Suitable adjacent to power lines.

Coconut PalmCocos nuciferaAlthough not native to Florida, this palm withstands extremely high winds and salty coastal conditions. Coconuts should be removed before storm season. Set back 30' from power lines.

CypressTaxodium sppBald and pond cypress both thrive flooded but also grow well in drained sites. Ideal for areas prone to occasional flooding. Moderate wind tolerance; survives highwinds; best planted in groups. Should not be planted in coastal salt spray zones. Set back at least 30' from power lines.

Live OakQuercus virginianaExtremely wind tolerant, especially when pruned properly. Breaks apart only in extreme wind events like tornadoes. Avoid planting close to buildings, sidewalks and driveways as this restricts proper root system development. Set back at least 30' from power lines.

Gumbo Limbo      Bursera simarubaVery storm-hardy, sheds leaves and small branches in storm-force winds. Only withstands moderate post-storm inundation. High salt tolerance for coastal areas. Set back 30' from power lines

Sea GrapeCoccoloba uviferaSpreading, round tree does well in coastal areas. Naturally very sturdy with multi-stemmed trunk. Over-pruning into a single-trunked tree decreases wind stability. Leaves shed during the storm but re-grow quickly. Withstands only brief flooding but highly salt-tolerant, and survives storm-surge events. Set back 30' from power lines.

Strangler FigFicus aureaNative fig tree that does not topple like the commonly planted exotic fig species. Very wind tolerant, especially if allowed to form natural buttresses and if pruned and thinned regularly to reduce the canopy’s wind-loading potential. Set back at least 30' from power lines.

CocoplumChrysobalanus icacoGood shrub selection for mixed plantings. Red-tipped variety survives periodic flooding. Horizontal variety is highly salt-tolerant and a good choice for coastal plantings.  Suitable adjacent to power lines.

MasticMastichodendron foetidissimumLarge native shade tree, medium to high wind tolerance, especially if the canopy is thinned routinely. Withstands moderate post-storm inundation and salt spray. Set back 30' from power lines.

Cabbage PalmSabal palmettoFlorida’s state tree, extremely rugged and storm-hardy, survives hurricanes unscathed. Brown fronds should be trimmed before a storm. Trimming green fronds weakens most palms. Very flood and salt tolerant and can be planted in any area of the state. Set back 30' from power lines.

Dahoon HollyIlex cassineThis upright, small tree has medium wind tolerance. Best if planted in a grouping of native trees and shrubs. Withstands extended flooding. Very little salt tolerance; should not be planted in areas that will be impacted by salt spray. Set back 30' from power lines.

Pond AppleAnnona glabraSturdy small tree when mature and canopy is thinned. Naturally occurs in flooded areas but grows well in drained areas. Ideal for areas prone to occasional or prolonged flooding. Low salt tolerance. Suitable adjacent to power lines.

Black IronwoodKrugiodendron ferreumExtremely strong wood lends this small, subtropical tree very high wind tolerance. Low frost tolerance. Canopy may be thinned to improve storm performance. Withstands moderate post-storm flooding and salt spray.

Stoppers spp.Eugenia, MyrcianthesAll of Florida’s native “stoppers” perform well in high winds. Securely anchored by dense roots, a good choice to use in groupings of trees and shrubs. Easily thinned before hurricane season to decrease wind load. Only withstands moderate amounts of flooding and salt. All stoppers are suitable adjacent to power lines.

ButtonwoodConocarpus erectusNative coastal tree/shrub useful throughout the landscape. Naturally multi-trunked, especially low frost tolerance. Well adapted to storm conditions. Canopy should be thinned periodically. Highly flood and salt tolerant. Silver variety is more compact and suitable adjacent to power lines. Green variety should be set back at least 30' from power lines.

Red BayPersea borboniaMedium-sized native tree excellent for use in mixed plantings with occasional flooding. Not salt-tolerant. Set back at least 30' from power lines.

Royal PalmRoystonea spp.Extremely tall palm with large fronds. Well adapted to high winds. Survives especially well if brown fronds are removed before the storm. Do not remove green fronds.  Withstands prolonged periods of flooding and moderate amounts of salt spray. Set back at least 30' from power lines.

Jamaican CaperCapparis cynophallophora      Good shrub selection for mixed plantings in areas with occasional flooding. High salt tolerance.  Suitable adjacent to power lines.  Showy pink flowers.





Storm "Un-wise" Plant List for South Florida

The trees listed here are species that performed so poorly in recent storms that you should carefully reconsider their place in your landscape. It is not recommended that you plant them as part of a Storm Wise landscape. If these species are already a part of your landscape, you may want to consider removing them and replacing them with something that is storm hardy.


Australian PineCasuarina spp.Extremely dangerous in high wind events. This tree species can grow to heights of 100 feet, so when they do topple, they impact a large area.  Roots tend to “tip up” and impact structures, roads and utilities. Invasive.

YellowTabebuiaTabebuia caraibaUnstable in any amount of wind. Extremely wind intolerant, topples easily and should not be used.

Norfolk Island PineAraucaria heterophyllaLoses branches easily in high winds, and sometimes topples. Far too tall for residential landscapes.
Black OliveBucida bucerasOften breaks apart in moderate to high winds, especially if not maintained properly.

Weeping FigFicus benjaminaOne of the most damaging trees in South Florida. Dense canopies act like sails in high winds and pull the large trees over, exposing large root balls and doing extensive damage to sidewalks, roads, fences, structures and utilities. Invasive.

Queen PalmSyagrus romanoffzianumShallow rooted, commonly impacted by butt rot, which makes this palm easily blown over in high winds.

CarrotwoodCupaniopsis anacardioidesUmbrella-shaped canopy makes this tree species wind intolerant. Invasive exotic.

Royal PoincianaDelonix regiaTall tree with a large canopy that is difficult to thin.  Brittle wood breaks apart easily in high winds.

Silk OakGrevillea robustaShort-lived, fast-growing tree with brittle wood and a shallow root system that breaks apart and topples easily.

Java PlumSyzygium cuminiLarge, dense canopy makes this species windintolerant.  Invasive.

Hong Kong OrchidBauhinia variegateUmbrella shape makes tree easy to topple. Wood is brittle and breaks apart easily. Invasive.

JacarandaJacaranda mimosifoliaBrittle wood leads to split trunks and twisted canopies.

Earleaf AcaciaAcacia auriculiformisExtremely brittle wood, limbs break apart in low to moderate winds. Invasive exotic.

EucalyptusEucalyptus camaldulensisBrittle wood breaks apart in storm conditions.  Invasive.

Javanese BishopwoodBischofia javanicaDense canopy gives this tree species low wind tolerance.  Brittle wood breaks apart. Can easily uproot especially in moist soils. Invasive.

Washington Fan PalmWashingtonia robustaTall, shallow-rooted palm that topples in stormforce winds.






STORM WISE HURRICANE KIT:

Items you will need to salvage your landscape after storm damage:
Garden hose in the event your irrigation system
is not working due to a power outage
Pruning tools
Ladder
Tree stakes/rebar
Biodegradable rope or strapping cloth
Come-along tool to right toppled trees and shrubs
Shovel
Burlap or blankets to protect exposed root balls if you are unable to secure your landscape immediately; do not use plastic as it will trap heat
Sharpened, fueled, gas-powered chainsaw
Hearing and eye protection
Bug spray and sunscreen

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts.  Our Mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply.
salt damage to appear can result in irreversible damage to your landscape.

2010 Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association Inc.