Trees and hurricanes
Cape Coral's tree care calendar is built around hurricane season. Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa on September 28, 2022 with estimated maximum winds of about 150 mph, and NOAA's data for Fort Myers lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 140 mph. Trees and palms that are poorly pruned, top-heavy or decayed become hazards. This checklist helps prepare your trees well before storms threaten.
January to April: the planning season
- Walk the property and note trees and palms near the house, pool cage, power lines and the seawall.
- Schedule structural pruning for hardwoods with weak forks or long, heavy limbs. Pruning should thin and balance the crown, not strip it.
- Avoid hurricane cutting of palms. Removing too many green fronds weakens a palm. Ask the tree service to remove only dead, brown fronds and seed pods.
May: before hurricane season
- Finish major pruning before June. Once a storm is forecast, crews are booked.
- Remove dead or decayed trees close to structures.
- Secure or remove coconuts and loose palm fronds near the house.
June to November: hurricane season
- Do not prune heavily right before a storm; fresh cuts and piles of debris can create projectiles.
- After a storm, stay away from downed trees touching power lines and call the utility.
- Photograph tree damage to your home before cleanup and contact your insurer.
- Check leaning trees. Some young trees can be straightened and staked soon after a storm; ask an arborist.
Year-round humidity
Fort Myers averages about 3,353 hours a year with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F. Warm, humid conditions favor fungal diseases.
- Watch for mushrooms at the base, oozing bark or hollow sounds, which can mean decay.
- Keep irrigation off trunks.
Choosing trees
When planting, choose species with a reputation for wind resistance, and plant them far enough from the house that a falling tree cannot reach it. Ask the nursery or arborist about mature size, root spread and wind performance.
Hiring a tree service
After a storm, many out-of-town crews arrive. Ask for a written scope, proof of insurance and a local address. Do not pay in full before the work is done.
Keep a record
Keep a list of your trees and palms with species, planting dates and pruning dates, with photos. It helps with planning and with insurance claims.
Canal and seawall trees
Many Cape Coral homes back onto canals. Large trees planted close to a seawall can push roots into the wall's backfill and add weight to the bank. If you are planting near the water, ask about mature root spread and keep larger species well back from the seawall. Have an arborist look at any established tree leaning toward a canal, because saturated soil after storms gives roots less grip.
Salt and storm surge
Storm surge leaves salt in the soil. After a flood, flush planting beds with fresh water once it is available, and watch salt-sensitive trees for browning over the following weeks. Some trees recover slowly; give them a season before deciding on removal unless they are a hazard.