Hernando Today
What To Do About Trees?
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: June 22, 2008
BROOKSVILLE - It is perfectly fine to cut the roots of a tree.
As long as you're fully aware of what will happen, go ahead and take an ax to them.
"You can cut the roots if you want to see your tree fall down and go boom," quipped horticulturist Jim Moll.
Moll's sarcastic brand of humor and extensive tree knowledge were on display Saturday during a "Hurricanes and Trees" seminar organized by the Hernando County Extension Office.
Each year, Moll gives the 90-minute class. He provides a list of trees most prone to hurricane damage or failure. He also gives the warning signs of any tree that might be more likely to crack or tip over during a storm.
"Just because a tree shows up on the hurricane-resistant list doesn't mean it is fail safe or that it doesn't have something defective on it," he warned.
If a tree has been damaged from a bolt of lightning, there is a greater chance it will fail again somewhere down the line. A tree can die, rot or weaken whenever a chunk of it is removed. Trees do not heal.
Even if the bark grows over it, the inside could still be hollow, making it vulnerable to break or fail, Moll said.
It is one of the many lessons learned during the active hurricane season from 2004.
"Trees that fail once will fail again," he warned.
Cavities that come from old "injuries" often will cause that tree to snap during a strong storm.
Secondly, be leery of trees planted near sidewalks, roads or parking lots. Often times, concrete and asphalt will deflect the root system. When a tree's roots cannot spread out, it is more likely to tip over, Moll said.
Sweetgums and sycamores are mostly more storm-resistant, but pines, oaks, red maples and pecan trees are more likely to fail during a hurricane.
One of the most important lessons to be learned from past hurricane seasons, Moll said, is how crucial it can be to have trees during a storm. In fact, well-placed, healthy trees can actually mitigate hurricane-force winds.
A common reaction after a tropical storm season is to chop down trees, but not all of them need to be cut, Moll said.
They often serve as protection for your home in the event of a hurricane.
For more information, Moll recommended reading "Stormscaping" by Pamela Crawford. It is available on Amazon.com and at the local library.
Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)
* Keep it clean
* Respect others
* Don't hate
* Don't use language you wouldn't use with your mom
* Use "Report Inappropriate Comments" link when necessary
* See Member Agreement for details