If you live in an area where tornadoes or hurricanes happen, you already know how important it is to prep early in the season.
With little to no notice, these severe storms roll into town with their fierce winds.
To keep your home safe and minimize damage, prep before the season starts.
Every proactive step you take now can reduce wreckage, costs and risk later on. Keep in mind, hurricanes and tornadoes are unpredictable, intense storms. The higher the wind speed, the more likely Spartanburg trees will fail. Once hurricanes reach a category 3 or tornadoes reach a level F2, research shows their 115-150 mph wind speeds can uproot or destroy a tree- no matter how well prepared you are.
When is hurricane season? What about tornado season?
On the East Coast, hurricane season begins in June and continues through November. On the West Coast, hurricanes start a bit earlier – in mid-May.
Tornadoes most often occur in Southern states and the Gulf Coast from March to May. In the Great Plains, tornadoes typically occur from May through early June.
Prep before then to reduce risks while also developing a safety plan with your family.
How can I prep my Spartanburg trees and landscape for hurricanes and tornados?
Before you begin prepping, know that some Spartanburg trees can weather severe storms better than others. It all depends on the tree– and storm – you have. Your tree’s durability depends on its species, age and health and structure. Plus, the storm’s speed, wind intensity and the amount of precipitation also influence whether your Spartanburg tree will survive.
You can help Spartanburg trees better endure vicious winds and intense rain with these 3 steps below.
1. Prudent to Prune.
Having your Spartanburg trees inspected for risks by a professional arborist is a must. A certified expert knows exactly what structural issues pose a risk and can be fixed by pruning.
By pruning before the storm, you reduce the chances of downed limbs- or worse, Spartanburg trees that break, uproot or fall. This way, you lessen the chances of property damage.
Specifically, pruning Spartanburg trees before hurricanes and tornadoes:
- Decreases wind resistance by creating a stronger Spartanburg tree structure by opening up the canopy
- Reduces fallen branches by removing dead, diseased and weak branches
- Keeps your home safe by removing limbs that are too close to your home
2. Calmly Cable.
Your arborist will also look for weak branches, V-shaped limbs or split trunks that need extra support to weather high winds and rain.
By strategically installing flexible steel strand cables and heavy bolts, your Spartanburg tree becomes stronger. When cabled, Spartanburg trees are less likely to break suddenly during high winds and often live longer.
Trees will also better handle the heavy weight of snow, ice and dense foliage year-round.
3. Boost the Roots.
Trees with healthier roots are more likely to survive hurricanes or tornadoes.
To improve your trees’ root system, regularly feed your trees. When you deliver essential nutrients right to the root zone, your Spartanburg trees become better anchored and overall healthier.
In addition to fertilizing, water your Spartanburg trees deeply when needed and keep them mulched. Mulch helps Spartanburg tree roots better retain water while also providing nutrients as the mulch breaks down. Plus, mulch helps reduce weeds around trees, which attempt to steal your trees’ water and nutrients.
Are there Spartanburg trees that are more hurricane or tornado resistant?
Yes, native (or local) Spartanburg trees typically survive storms more than exotic, imported trees, which makes sense. Native Spartanburg trees have been growing in your region for thousands of years. They’ve stood the test of time –and know how to weather your area’s storms.
Also, Spartanburg trees grouped together in sets of five or more, rather than lone trees, fare intense storms better. Keep this in mind when planting new trees.
