Broward County - Hurricane Preparedness

TREES
(See Also DEBRIS AND TRASH REMOVAL)

BEFORE THE STORM

Trim trees and shrubbery regularly by cutting weak branches and thinning foliage to decrease the chance that plants will be uprooted. Remove limbs resting on your roof.
Do not attempt to trim any vegetation growing on or near overhead power lines. Only specially trained line-clearing professionals should work around power lines.
Please refrain from trimming trees once a hurricane watch has been posted as the trimmings may become projectiles during the storm.

Be sure you consult with your local municipality for any specific provisions regarding tree pruning in your area. "Hat-racking" and " tree-topping" are both illegal. Residents without experience using a chain saw should seek professional assistance, or the assistance of someone familiar with operation of the equipment.

Hiring a Tree Trimmer

Beware of unlicensed tree trimmers, who may be cheaper, but often deliver poor quality work, resulting in greater long-term costs. To protect homeowners from amateur tree trimmers and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance in 2000 requiring licensing for all commercial tree trimmers. Homeowners with hat-racked, unsightly or abused trees are subject to fines.

Get written estimates from different tree companies.
Verify the company's occupational license.
Check the company's insurance for property damage and personal liability. Call the insurance company to verify that the appropriate coverage is in effect.
Ask to see a copy of the company's tree trimmer license and training card. Because some unlicensed companies may attempt to present false licenses or training cards, homeowners should familiarize themselves with the official tree trimmer license, certified arborist card and training certificate. Click here for samples or visit www.broward.org/bio, click on "Uplands Tree Program" and "Broward Trimming Licensing Ordinance."
Call the Biological Resources Division at 954-519-1456 to verify a tree trimmer's license. Click here for a complete list of licensed tree trimmers in Broward County, or visit www.broward.org/bio, click on “Uplands/Trees Program” and choose “Broward Licensed Tree Trimmers.”

DURING THE STORM

Trees can incur serious damage during a weather-related storm, resulting in storm debris.

During a storm with winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour, small branches break off and leaves are stripped away.
As winds increase, heavier branches break off, often leaving the tree trunk standing but not dead.
Winds over 100 to 125 miles per hour can strip a tree of its bark, if the tree is well-rooted. A branchless tree with its bark off will die.

AFTER THE STORM

If you have a downed tree in your yard and it is not blocking a road or has not downed a power line, it is your responsibility to remove the tree. Downed trees on private property are the responsibility of the homeowner.
If a tree has downed a live power line, call 9-1-1.
Trees on public property and trees on the swale will be handled by debris removal teams. Damage assessment teams will be conducting a grid-by-grid search of all communities as soon after the storm as it is safe to do so. There will be coordination as required between the state, city and County, as roads fall under the jurisdiction of each of these entities. Priority will be given to clearing major arteries and roads that lead to emergency facilities, such as hospitals.
Before removing fallen trees, always call 800-432-4770 for the location of utility lines. Gas, electric, telephone, water, sewer and cable lines may be entangled in the root system of the fallen trees. The call and the location service are free.
Trees that have been overturned are not necessarily lost.
If the tree is large, cover the roots with burlap, heavy cloth, or soil, and keep the roots moist. Contact a professional landscape company to determine whether the tree can be safely reset.
If the tree is small, set it back into its hole, brace it, cover the roots with soil, and water thoroughly as if it were newly planted—at least three times per week for the first two months and 1-2 times per week thereafter until fully reestablished.
If the tree has been inundated with salt water, the roots should be washed to remove any salt.
Make sure newly planted trees and recently reset trees are properly staked and braced.
For a complete database of native trees and plants, and guidelines to help you select trees that do well in the South Florida environment, visit www.broward.org/naturescape.

RELATED RESOURCES

Updated June 2008

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