How to Prepare Your Yard for High Winds: Trees and Landscaping

04/14/2023

Why do they matter?

Downed, falling, and damaged trees account for most major wind-related house damage in hurricanes. More than 30 years ago, Hurricane Andrew toppled 38% of the trees in its path. Hurricane Charley knocked down 10,000 trees in Central Florida in 2004, and Hurricane Katrina’s 120 mph-plus wind speeds took down approximately 20% of urban trees in 2005. In October 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated 26 square miles of the tree canopy, an area equal to the size of Pensacola, Florida, plus four additional square miles. The Hurricane Michael tree losses introduced a multi-year wildfire threat as the downed trees decayed across the affected forests.

Tree damage is a dangerous problem in tornadoes as well. Beyond wind intensity; factors influencing tree damage include:

• Tree species, age, and condition
• Soil characteristics
• Rain amount and duration

What do I need to know?

While you cannot build a home strong enough to withstand the weight and impact of a large tree, you can plan and maintain your landscape to reduce the risk of trees falling on your home. Certain species are more vulnerable to wind damage, such as southern pine, pecan, red oak, and water oak. Species with shorter life spans are more susceptible to storm damage as well.

Consider three factors when evaluating your yard: species, tree health, and location. Place trees far enough from your home that they could fall without causing damage. Maintain the space between your home and any nearby tree to ensure it exceeds the fully grown tree height.

In addition to trees, you should evaluate your hardscape and other elements that might cause damage in high winds. Secure or remove barbeque grills, fences, flag poles, garden decorations, lawn furniture, outdoor lights, and swing sets. Anchor building components, such as gutters, downspouts, and exterior air conditioning or pool equipment.

Where do I start?

Evaluate Your Trees

Check your yard for weakened trees that could fall or lose limbs during high winds. Look for:

• Cracks in the trunk or major limbs
• Trees that lean or look one-sided
• Branches that hang over the house or near the roof
• Tree limbs that touch power lines
• Obvious decay or mushrooms growing from the bark
• Insect infestations

Call and text or email a picture to your local home improvement garden center, nursery, or government extension office if you have questions about your trees.

Care for Your Trees

• Regular and proper pruning can improve the health and vitality of your trees.
• Remove dead, diseased, or damaged parts of the tree to stop the spread of disease and harmful insects that weaken or destroy the tree.
• Never prune tree branches flush to the trunk as doing so removes part of the trunk. Leave a small branch section next to the tree trunk to avoid making the tree susceptible to decay or insect damage.
• Contact a professional to evaluate, limb, or remove large trees near your home. Ensure you hire a skilled, licensed, insured professional as tree removal is dangerous.

Plant strong trees

Some tree species are more prone to storm damage. A tree more likely to survive storms is compact, with a low center of gravity; a strong, sturdy trunk; and a deep, symmetrical root system. City foresters, government extension offices, home improvement garden centers, nurseries, and landscape firms can advise on smart tree selection for your area and soil conditions.

Use Safe Landscaping Materials

Rock and gravel landscaping swiftly become projectiles in high-wind events. Consider replacing these landscaping materials with fire-treated mulch to reduce the risk of damage when severe weather begins.

More Resources

• Read more at Gardening Know How: Landscaping For Storms: Yard Design For Natural Disasters.
• FLASH. Resilient Design Guide: High Wind Wood Frame Construction Edition.
• FLASH. Resilient Design Guide: Concrete Construction Edition.
• FEMA. Remove Trees and Potential Windborne Missiles.