Trees provide us with many things, and often we take them for granted.  We think that they will live forever.  We will over the years become attached to our trees, and whenever we loose them, we experience an emotional let down.  We must realize that trees, like all living things require care – especially now during the hurricane season.

Past experience has shown that damage or loss of our tree canopy was due to declining, older trees, many of which previously had little if any pruning; and because we want shade, we planted fast growing under story trees which were severely damaged because of their brittle wood.

I’d also like to state that all trees, regardless of type, can be damaged by winds in excess of 35 mph winds.

So what can we do while we still have time?

Check your trees –

• Are they healthy?
• Are there any signs of decline or die back?
• Do you see any pests on them?
• Are the branches crowded?
• Are they leaning?
• Are there branches that could possibly damage structures?

If you don’t think you can properly evaluate your trees, hire a certified arborist to examine them.  If you have any dead or declining trees, have them pruned or removed – especially if they pose a hazard to you or your neighbors.  It’ll be cheaper to have this done now, (and give you peace of mind), rather than a storm does it for you.

Although we regret loosing our trees, we now have an opportunity to start over by planting the right trees in the right place.