Hurricane season in Fort Myers is fast approaching, and preparation is key to protecting your home and landscape. Many homeowners wait until storms are imminent to take action, but the best time to prepare your trees is before the season reaches its peak. Early preparation helps minimize property damage, reduces emergency costs, and ensures expert arborists are available when you need them.
Joshua Tree Inc. offers Free Hurricane Prep Inspections for any trees in doubt, but as hurricane season nears, our availability fills up quickly. Here’s why acting now is crucial.
The Problem: Last-Minute Preparation Puts Your Home at Risk
Each year, hurricanes and tropical storms bring high winds, heavy rain, and unpredictable conditions that put unprepared trees at risk of failure. Trees that are diseased, overgrown, or structurally weak can break apart, uproot, or become dangerous projectiles during a storm.
Without early preparation, homeowners may face:
- Increased risk of property damage from falling trees or limbs.
- Difficulty securing professional tree services as demand surges.
- Higher emergency costs for last-minute tree removals or pruning.
- Potentially hazardous conditions for family and neighbors.
Fortunately, proactive tree care can help mitigate these risks and keep your landscape storm-ready.
The Plan: How to Prepare Your Trees for Hurricane Season
1. Schedule a Free Hurricane Prep Inspection
The first step in storm-proofing your landscape is assessing the health and stability of your trees. A professional evaluation identifies weak limbs, structural issues, and other hazards that may pose a risk during a hurricane.
Why schedule an inspection early?
- Expert availability declines as storm season progresses.
- Early detection allows for preventive care instead of costly emergency removals.
- Well-maintained trees are more resilient against high winds.
2. Prune to Reduce Storm Vulnerability
Pruning weak or overgrown branches reduces wind resistance and prevents hazardous breakage during storms. Proper trimming improves tree structure and decreases the chance of falling limbs damaging your home.
What to focus on:
- Removing dead, weak, or overextended branches.
- Thinning dense canopies to improve airflow and reduce wind stress.
- Avoiding excessive pruning, which weakens tree resilience and recovery.
3. Identify and Address High-Risk Trees
Some trees are more vulnerable to hurricane damage due to their location, health, or structural condition. If a tree is leaning toward your home, showing signs of decay, or has a shallow root system, it may require removal before hurricane season peaks.
Signs a tree may need removal:
- Large cracks in the trunk or major branches.
- Visible root damage or instability.
- Severe disease or decay weakening structural integrity.
- Trees growing too close to structures, power lines, or driveways.
4. Secure Young or Newly Planted Trees
Young trees are particularly susceptible to strong winds, but with the right support, they can withstand storm conditions and grow stronger over time.
How to protect young trees:
- Use flexible tree stakes to provide temporary support without restricting growth.
- Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and encourage deep roots.
- Remove supports once trees establish strong root systems to promote natural stability.
Success Strategy: The Advantage of Acting Now Hurricane preparedness isn’t just about protecting your home—it’s about ensuring your landscape remains intact for years to come. By taking action now, you can prevent damage, save on emergency costs, and secure expert tree care while availability lasts.
What Happens If You Wait?
- Storm season brings a surge in emergency service requests, limiting availability.
- Last-minute tree removals or pruning may be more expensive.
- Unstable trees left unchecked pose a greater hazard when storms arrive.
By scheduling your Free Hurricane Prep Inspection now, you can secure expert advice and services while availability lasts, ensuring your property is storm-ready without the stress of last-minute planning.
Take Action Today: Schedule Your Free Hurricane Prep Inspection
Hurricane season is unpredictable, but tree preparation doesn’t have to be. Taking action now can save you from costly damage and give you peace of mind when storms arrive.
📞 Call (239) 888-6817 today to schedule your Free Hurricane Prep Inspection before availability fills up!