Gone with the Wind…storm

October 2005 Richardson Estate, Wilton Manors		November 2005 Richardson Estate after Hurricane Wilma

A record number of hurricanes in 2005 left Broward County residents with costly and time-consuming challenges. While these hurricanes have wrought havoc on many of our beautifully landscaped properties, they also present opportunities to repair and replant our landscapes once we assess damage and clear debris from our properties. Homeowners, Homeowner Associations, businesses, and other property owners should strongly consider replanting with Florida-friendly, water conserving, habitat creating, and resilient native plants.

Why replant with native plants?

When we use non-native plants and trees we increase the risk of having our landscapes severely damaged from hurricanes. At the same time, we are both increasing the costs associated with landscape maintenance and failing to provide our native wildlife with the critical shelter and habitat they need. Based on our observations, faux Florida landscapes – those with lush, but non-native trees – are more likely to uproot or break down during storms, and frequently do not provide a meaningful food source for our diverse bird, butterfly and other pollinator populations.

During times of rebuilding and replanting, we would like to encourage all residents to create a NatureScape yard. NatureScapes are Florida-friendly yards designed to reduce water consumption and protect water quality, while creating wildlife habitat. They can be lush and tropical but they require less work, fertilizers, pesticides and water than non-native yards. They are more resilient to South Florida’s extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes. Granted, Hurricane Katrina and Wilma’s impact left many native and non-native landscapes devastated, but on balance, the natives fared better and will rebound much faster.

By choosing plants that are native to Florida and carefully considering your landscape layout, you can lower your utility bills, reduce the expense of fertilizer and pesticide, and produce areas within your yard that are authentically beautiful, wildlife-friendly and better equipped to withstand future drought and storms.

Native trees and shrubs:

• Appear more resistant to wind damage
• Use less water, fertilizer, & pesticides
• Provide native habitat for wildlife and are good for our urban ecology
• Need to be carefully selected using the "right plant, right place" principle

Invasive Exotic Species:

• Have low wind tolerance
• Require greater maintenance
• Are not good for our ecology

Shrubs and smaller trees may show incredible growth when the larger trees which previously shaded them are gone. The biggest challenge will be to exclude exotic invasive species in favor of native species. Native plants provide nectar, seeds, and berries, providing food sources and cover.

Use this time to rebuild your habitat again for our native wildlife. Replacement trees may take years to grow – choose wisely.

The recommended trees and shrubs listed below are not the only selections you may choose, but are a guide of proven winners.

Recommended Native Species
Large (35' +)	Medium (15' - 34')	Small (up to 15')
Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum v. distichum	Black Ironwood, Krugiodendron ferreum	Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana
Pond Cypress, Taxodium distichum v. nutans	Dahoon Holly, Ilex cassine	Buccaneer Palm, Pseudophoenix sargentii
Gumbo Limbo, Bursera simaruba	Geiger, Cordia sebestena	Cocoplum, Chrysobalanus icaco
Live Oak, Quercus virginiana	Pigeon Plum, Cocoloba diversifolia	Ilex, Ilex vomitoria spp.
Red Bay, Persea borbonia	Stopper spp., Myrcianthus fragrans, Eugenia v. axillaris, confusa and foetida	Jamaican Caper, Capparis cynophallophora
Cabbage Palm, Sabal palmetto	Lignum Vitae, Guaiacum sanctum	Marlberry, Ardesia escallonioides
Royal Palm, Roystonea regia	Satin Leaf, Chrysophyllum oliviforme	Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens
Sweet Bay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana	Silver Buttonwood, Conocarpus erectus	Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum
Slash Pine, Pinus elliottii v. densa, aka: Dade County Pine	Sweet Acacia, Acacia farnesiana	.
Wild Tamarind, Lysiloma latisliqua	Thatch Palm, Thrinax radiata	.

Wind Tolerant Exotics
Trees	Shrubs
All Palms except Queen	Crotons
Jatropha	Dwarf Powderpuff
Crepe Myrtle	Ixora
Frangipani	Trinettes

Worst Performers
African Tulip Tree	Ficus spp.
Albizia (Woman's Tongue)	Melaleuca
Australian Pine	Norfolk Island Pine
Bischofia	Pongam
Black Olive	Queen's Crepe Myrtle
Brazilian Beautyleaf	Seaside Mahoe
Carrotwood	Silk Oak
Cassia	Southern Red Cedar
Earleaf Acacia	Tabebuia (Yellow)

A TREE’S CONDITION BEFORE A STORM PRE-DETERMINES HOW WELL IT WILL DO DURING A STORM.

“I feel certain that my property damage was reduced by keeping the trees surrounding my home professionally pruned by a certified arborist. Additionally, the landscaping in my yard helped buffer the winds.” Alex Schore, National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward, Plantation

Proper Maintenance:

• Helps ensure a healthier tree, less likely to fail during a storm
• Should include annual pruning by a professional Broward County licensed Tree Trimmer
• Once established, you may cut watering off or down to once a week depending on the tree’s need

Remember:

• No tree can be guaranteed to stand up to hurricane-force winds or even very strong gusts of wind
• Very young and very old trees are often fragile and more susceptible to failure
• Soil conditions, whether wet, sandy, or coral rock base can influence the strength of a tree

Let’s make Broward County a better place by using the opportunity we now have to replant with natives and return our environment to a more natural, Florida-friendly NatureScape.

Where did the wildlife go?

The impact on wildlife can be detrimental during and after hurricanes. Some wildlife are killed or injured during storms, but many species seek safety before a storm and may move many miles from their normal habitat. Once the storm is over, species which moved or were blown considerable distances will likely stay in the new secure area, especially if the former habitat was radically changed. When food sources are restored, they may return to their former habitat.

Keep in mind that the needs of wildlife are food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. Cavity nesters such as woodpeckers and owls will make homes in a dead tree or snag. Installing nest boxes and having damaged trees pruned when possible (and permissible by code) rather than removed will help.

Eliminate the use of pesticides at this critical recovery time. Remember 80% of our animals feed on insects or other animals that eat insects.

For more information:

• Storm Damaged Tree Care website
• "Stormscaping - Landscaping to Minimize Wind Damage to Florida," by Pamela Crawford ISBN Number 0971222029

Broward County Environmental Protection Department
Water Resources Division
Government Center West
One University Drive North,
Plantation, Fl 33324