For:
By: Daniel
E. Mullins
Extension
Horticulture Agent
Caring for Hurricane Damaged Plants
Hurricane damaged plants should be cared for
as soon as possible. Small trees and
shrubs, particularly those uprooted or damaged, should be securely staked in
their original positions. In some cases,
root systems are exposed and it is very important that they be protected from
drying out. Place soil, moist burlap
sacks or moist sphagnum moss on the exposed roots until plants can be reset at
ground level.
Even trees and shrubs that remain
upright following a hurricane have been tossed back and forth, creating a
hollowing of the soil around their major support roots. Where this has occurred, add soil and water
to eliminate air pockets around roots.
Broken branches should be sawed or
pruned from trees and shrubs. Always
make clean, even cuts and remove only those that are damaged. Cut branches back to major limbs or the main
trunk, cutting just outside of the branch collar.
Clear the lawn by removing fallen
leaves, silt, mud and other debris. If
left on for too long the grass can be smothered or made more susceptible to
disease. Grasses and other plants that
have been under water should resume growth once the water is drained away.
All plants that have been exposed to
salt water should be irrigated with fresh water as soon as possible. Apply more water, and water more frequently
than under normal conditions. Do not
wait until symptoms of salt damage appear before beginning this procedure.
Plants that have been damaged will
need careful attention through the spring.
During periods of drought, damaged plants will need mulching and extra
water.
There is plenty of other information
for those who have experienced hurricane damage. The
As residents begin to recover from
the hurricane, injuries from chain saws and misuse of other equipment are
common. In fact, three deaths occurred
during Hurricane Charley, due to carbon monoxide poisoning when generators were
operated indoors. To learn about
avoiding accidents go to the
More plant related information can be obtained by
contacting your local Extension office or landscape maintenance
professional. For specific pruning
recommendations go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG08700.pdf. This document is entitled “Pruning Landscape
Trees and Shrubs.”
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to edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
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