The Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S. face hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong winds during the summer. While trees are valuable landscape assets, they can also become risks during storm season. For second homeowners, the risk of damage increases when their homes sit unmonitored.
Second homeowner landscape care protects the trees on your property. Our storm checklist for absentee homeowners can help ensure your secondary property's trees and shrubs are monitored and provides recommendations for damage that may occur during another storm season with proactive care.
What Makes Trees a Storm Risk
Trees in general aren’t necessarily safety risks. There are certain elements to hurricane tree risk, including:
- Mature limbs near roofs, which may be diseased, driveways, or neighbors’ homes
- Diseased or leaning trees
- Improper pruning or unbalanced canopies
- Overgrown shrubs near powerlines or siding
Spring & Fall Are Key Windows for Storm Readiness
Having an arborist conduct a remote property inspection before storm season will help catch risks before they cause damage.
Off-season tree care generally includes:
- Spring – Inspect and prune before hurricane season
- Fall – Remove deadwood and schedule cabling and root inspection before winter storms or absentee months
Why Routine Maintenance & Plant Health Care Matter for Second Homes
Tree and landscape issues can go unnoticed when homeowners aren’t on the property full-time. That’s why routine maintenance and an ongoing plant health care (PHC) program are essential for storm readiness.
- Prescription pruning reduces storm-related breakage and improves structure
- Soil care and fertilization boost root resilience ahead of heat or storm stress
- Pest and disease monitoring ensures early intervention before infestations spread
- Mulching and watering plans help trees stay healthy through seasonal extremes
- Root collar inspections identify girdling roots, buried flares, or other issues that compromise the stability and overall health of the tree or shrub
A proactive PHC plan managed by a certified arborist protects your investment and gives you peace of mind, regardless of distance.
Proactive Tree Maintenance Checklist While You're Away
Rather than reacting to storm damage, second homeowners can take simple proactive steps to minimize tree-related risk, even when the property is vacant.
- Schedule late-season pruning before peak wind or hurricane season
- Mulch properly to protect root zones from intense heat or excess rainfall
- Install smart irrigation timers for proper root hydration during long absences
- Inspect tree support systems, like cables or braces, for stability and wear
- Avoid planting risky species like shallow-rooted pines or fast-growing ornamentals
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HIDDEN STORM DAMAGE ON YOUR PROPERTY
Storm Readiness FAQs for Second Home & Vacation Properties
Start with an arborist inspection in spring or fall. Prune vulnerable limbs, assess soil conditions, and establish emergency service access with your tree care provider.
Ideally in early spring, March through May, and again in winter, Late November to February, for preventative work before and after the core storm season.
Yes! Roots anchor trees into the ground. If weakened, root systems can cause trees to topple.
Trees should be inspected as soon as possible once the storm passes or it is safe for the arborist to enter the area to check for immediate safety hazards. A secondary, more detailed inspection for health evaluations can occur in the weeks or months that follow.
Related Blog Posts
Second Homeowners: Tree Risk & Storm Prep Checklist
