Hurricane Season Is Here! Are Your Trees Ready?
The islands of Hawaii are known for their beautiful tropical weather. But these tropical vibes bring on the possibility of hurricanes from June to late November. As this season is now upon us, it is important to take appropriate precautions to protect the trees and landscape of your property. Here at Tree Masters, we are passionate about trees and our priority is safety. Read below to learn all about hurricanes in Hawaii and how you can be best prepared for this year's hurricane season.
According to this year’s forecast, Hawaii is expected to have a near or above-average year for hurricanes. Our local news stations and officials from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are anticipating four to seven tropical cyclones in the central Pacific. Last year in 2022, the islands expected only one or two hurricanes causing residents to put their guard down. NOAA wants residents to be aware that this season could look quite different.
Even though the hurricanes have been quiet, the Tree Masters want you to be prepared for these cyclones when they make a comeback. When you think of damage after a storm one of the major culprits of disaster is all of the debris from trees. This is why prevention is key before disaster strikes. It is important that your trees are properly pruned and prepared for a storm.
How Do I Prevent My Trees From Storm Damage?
It may be impossible to prevent all storm damage but there are a few ways you can best prevent your trees from taking the hit of a hurricane.
Consistently and properly getting your trees pruned will improve their form. If your trees are strong and stable this will help them stand tall during a cyclone.
Inspect your trees for any branch, trunk, or root defects. These could be areas where the tree is rotting or infected which could weaken the tree.
If you read our last blog you know how bad tree topping is (go check out our tree topping blog if you haven't already). Correcting improper tree care practices like tree topping will help to strengthen trees and protect them from damage.
How Do Storms Damage Trees?
While storms do cause harm to the trees themselves, the outside factors like a home being damaged is the main safety concern. Significant damage to a property can be the result of proper prevention tactics not being taken.
Common characteristics of hurricanes in Hawaii include violent winds, lightning, heavy rain, and strong waves. These strong winds and rain can break branches and even cause the whole tree to fall down if strong enough. If lightning strikes a tree this could be dangerous as well.
What Do I Do After A Storm Causes Damage?
The first step is to take safety precautions and know what to expect when assessing storm damage. Some common characteristics include
Broken limbs on the ground or even hanging up above.
Trees or limbs under pressure have tension and could react unexpectedly if messed with.
Damaged trees that are now unstable and unpredictable.
Any debris of trees that have been in contact with electrical wire should not be touched. Touching this could cause major injuries or even death if electrocuted.
If possible, stay somewhere safe and call a tree care professional like the Tree Masters to handle the damage. Avoid the temptation of doing the clean-up yourself. The potential hazards associated with tree damage repair are not worth the risk. The Tree Masters are professionals when it comes to common tree care but we also offer emergency services for situations just like hurricane damage.
We hope that learning about Hawaii's 2023 hurricane season has helped prepare you and your Ohana for the storms. Tropical storms can be damaging but proper prevention is the best way to ensure the safety of you and your trees.
