When winter weather breaks and spring ramps up, second homeowners in the South start thinking about hurricane season.
Winter weather in the south can have a huge impact on tree stress. In most cases, it may not become apparent until it’s too late. Early inspections in February and March in Florida can prevent costly problems before storm season hits.
How Severe Winters Affect Florida Tree Health
Warmer temperatures followed by temperatures at or below freezing can slow growth and shock tropical and subtropical species. This can cause:
- Trunk damage, bark splitting, leading to sap bleeding and decay
- Water loss in trees from cold winds, causing leaves to droop
- Increased risk of fungal and bacterial diseases
- Spear leaf death in palm trees, possibly causing death
Top Trees to Inspect After a Severe Winter
Some tree species are more susceptible to mild winter damage than others. Keep a close eye on these trees:
- Live oaks – Watch for leaf drop timing, lichen, and early sapwood damage
- Palms – Look for lethal bronzing, trunk soft spots, or spear pull and nutrient deficiencies
- Crape myrtles – Check for uneven budding, old bark cankers, and bark splitting
- Southern pines — Inspect for tip blight, bark beetles, and pitch flow
- Magnolias and camellias – Check buds, flower scorch, and foliage mildew
Checklist: What to Look for on Your Property
There are a few general symptoms that are universal to tree species to also look out for. When doing your own inspections, watch out for:
- Mushrooms or root collar rot near tree bases
- Browning tips, delayed flush, or premature bud swell
- Cracks in limbs from freeze–thaw cycles
- Branches overhanging rooflines or structures
- Soil compaction around root zones after hard rain events
What You Can Do Before Peak Growth Season Begins
Now is the time to act! An inspection by a certified arborist for pre-storm pruning, root zone aeration or decompaction, and soil nutrient assessments may result in light corrective pruning of dead and diseased wood, mulch replacement, and pest or disease treatment, if needed.
Why This Helps Before Hurricane Season
Hurricanes can cause serious damage to infrastructure and landscapes. Acting now helps reduce safety risks for your family and property. Late winter tree care can boost your tree’s resilience to heat, drought, and storm stress, as well as reduce limb loss and trunk failure after a big storm event.
It’s easier to schedule professional work with a certified arborist now, before the busy spring and storm rushes hit.
FAQ: Tree Health Questions for Southern Second Homeowners
Mushrooms or other fungi appearing near tree bases, browning branch tips, cracks in limbs, and overhanging branches are all signs of tree stress after a severe winter.
Live oaks go through a process called molting in early spring when the weather goes through cold and warm cycles. This is a completely normal process that replaces old foliage with new growth.
Completely brown or collapsed palm fronds are often signs of cold damage. Since some browning is normal after winter, wait until after the last frost to prune. Only prune fronds that are completely brown, including the petiole (stems). Read more about when to trim your palms.
Early to mid-spring is a great time to prune before hurricane season hits, especially trees with signs of dead or damaged limbs. Pruned trees have a reduced risk of limb failure that can cause serious damage to your property.
Not sure what your trees went through this winter? Schedule a property inspection with your local certified Davey arborist for peace of mind before storm season begins.
We have local Davey offices in Orlando and Naples who are ready to help you prepare for hurricane season!
WHY YOU SHOULD ADD FERTILIZATION TO YOUR SPRING TREE CARE LIST
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