Disaster Solutions

Whenever a storm is imminent, the professionals of Down To Earth use cabling, bracing, and strapping techniques to protect trees against strong winds. Steel or wire cabling provides extra support to the tree’s limbs when woven strategically through the canopy of the tree. Wooden braces are fitted to the tree trunk to prevent bending during the storm. To reinforce support, wooden stakes are driven into the ground around the tree, and then the tree is secured to these using tough strapping.

While these are emergency disaster solutions, the best way to ensure trees survive a storm is to make sure it develops a strong root system throughout the year.

Smaller plants are just as vulnerable to storm damage as trees. To protect potted plants, cover them with larger upturned pots, containers or buckets. Weigh these down with cement blocks or bricks to hold them in place. If possible, move the pots and line them right along the external wall of a building. This protects them from strong winds. For flower beds, use covers to cover them. When cutting these covers, leave some extra space along the sides to weigh them down. Wrapping shrubs with a strong fabric protects them against wind damage.

A few basic things to do to clean a landscape after a storm are removing debris – leaves, twigs, and small branches. Remove any mulch or other covering that may stop the soil from drying and then dry out a lawn to prevent root rot. Once the soil is dry, aerate it slightly to loosen compacted soil and improve airflow.

Despite proper preventive measures, a landscape could turn into a safety hazard after a hurricane, depending on the intensity of the storm. It is best to involve certified professionals for the bigger tasks like checking trees for broken branches and seeing if they have been damaged enough to warrant removal.