Fall Tree Planting Season Creates a Hurricane-Resistant Landscape

by Kristy Como Armand

Planting trees is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to improve landscape. However, according to Chad Everage with Landscape Management, the time of year you plant significantly affects a tree’s success. While spring is often seen as the prime season for planting, he says fall can be an even better time to introduce new trees to your landscape.

“Planting trees in the fall can set them up for long-term success, giving them an extra growing season before the stress of summer,” Everage explains. “The combination of cooler temperatures and fall rain allows trees to establish their roots, making it easier for them to adjust to extreme heat or drought in the summer.”

Many people fear that young trees can’t withstand the winter, but Everage says trees go dormant in the winter, the equivalent of hibernation. This “sleep” state slows down the tree’s growth, energy consumption, and metabolism. “In addition, here in Southwest Louisiana, our mild winters don’t typically pose a threat to trees,” he adds. “It’s safe to plant trees until the first hard freeze.

Planting trees also builds a hurricane-resistant landscape. “Residents in our region have learned hard lessons about hurricane damage. As homeowners remain focused on fortifying their property to withstand future weather events, landscape resilience should be part of that planning process,” says Everage. ““While completely hurricane-proofing your landscape is impossible, you can choose trees that are more likely to withstand hurricane-force winds and heavy rain.”

Trees are often seen as a threat in severe weather situations. Branches can become hazards and trunks can fall across structures or roads, causing property damage and delaying recovery efforts after a storm. “But this doesn’t mean you have to plan a landscape free of trees,” says Everage. “What trees are planted and how they are planted will increase the chances of their survival and can provide a valuable buffer zone against storm damage. Research has found that foliage density and topography can modify wind speed and direction.”

Everage explains that wind-resistant trees have some of these common characteristics:
• Native species
• Slow growing
• Hard woods
• Young to middle-age
• Healthy and vigorous
• Well-maintained
• Low center of gravity
• Deep, penetrating radial roots
• Open branching character
• Heavy stout leaders
• Flexible limbs and short leaf branching
• Small, fine-textured leaf
• Deciduous leaves (sheds leaves seasonally)

Picking the proper tree species is important, but Everage says other factors also contribute to hurricane-resistance as well. “A tree can be either wind-resilient or failure-prone based on where it is planted and the care it has received.” He offers the following advice:

Right Tree, Right Place. Choose indigenous (native) trees well-suited for your landscape. Avoid conflict between trees and hardscapes and match planting space to the full-grown size of the tree. Plant larger trees away from your home, power lines, and other structures. This reduces the risk of branches—or trees—falling on your home and/or knocking down power lines.

Grouping. Trees in groups tend to sustain less damage than single trees standing alone. Planting groups of mixed trees together can greatly enhance wind resistance. The trees buffer each other as well as your property.

Roots. Trees with wide spreading root systems are less likely to topple in strong winds, so it is important to allow trees enough room for their mature size. Circling/girdling root systems are one of the most common reasons for tree failure. Circling roots will never grow out into the landscape. As the canopy of the tree increases, the root ball stays small, which can result in it falling during a storm.

Maintenance. Regular pruning promotes healthy growth and removes dead, dying, or diseased limbs that may break off in strong winds. Assess trees regularly, paying close attention to the branches. Remove limbs that are dying, damaged, or weakly connected to the trunk. Thinning or reducing the crown can reduce trunk movement during a hurricane. You can also prune to reshape the tree. When done correctly, reshaping can make trees more resistant to wind damage. If branches are large or high in the tree, it’s best to get professional help.

“There are no guarantees when it comes to major hurricanes and the damage that can result,” says Everage. “But planning and proper tree maintenance can help reduce the risk of potential damage to your landscape and your property.”

For more information on the best tree choices for your landscape, call Landscape Management at (337) 478-3836, or visit www.landscapemanagement.org.