Preparing Trees for Hurricanes

Hurricane season is here again, officially lasting June 1st through the end of November. Let's review some important things.

Tropical Cyclones, that is tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, threaten Florida every year, and often cause extensive damage to landscapes and surrounding structures. You can easily help make your landscape more hurricane-resistant, so that it's less likely to suffer damage during a major storm with a few simple considerations and a little pre-planning.

Before a storm threatens, consider doing the following:

• During a hurricane, having the right tree in the right place can help protect your property from strong winds by acting as a wind-break. However a poorly maintained tree will likely do more harm than good. Improperly pruned trees face a greater likelihood that they might break or fall during the storm. Many fallen and damaged trees often seen after a storm may be from the improper cutting or pruning of trees. It is important that your trees are serviced by a trained professional well before a storm threatens. It is important to remember, never begin any pruning during a Hurricane, or Tropical Storm, Watch or Warning.
• Ideally you should have your trees pruned during the tree species dormant season or during early spring but it’s never too late. Ask Mid Florida Tree Service about trimming your particular species. A tree more likely to survive storms is compact, with a low center of gravity; a strong, sturdy trunk; and a deep, symmetrical root system. The native live oak is a great example of a "survivor" tree, given the right environment and care during its life. Whereas, a more vulnerable tree during storms is one with a high center of gravity, a dense canopy, a decayed trunk, two or more trunks, or shallow roots. Shallow roots result from shallow soil or a high water table. Remember that any tree is more susceptible to toppling during a storm if it suffers from construction damage to roots, poor growing conditions, small root zones, and disease or insect problems.
• Ensure that your trees have been cleared of deadwood. Deadwood invites pests, and breaks away into projectiles too easily during a storm.
• Work with a licensed and insured certified arborist.
• Don't over-do the trimming or pruning. A certified arborist will ensure that the canopy is preserved, taking no more than 25% of it's normal growth. Correct pruning is likely the most important part of helping healthy trees survive hurricanes.

An Arborist can also help you to train young trees so they develop a sturdy, well-spaced framework of healthy branches along a dominant trunk and help maintain this form as far up into the tree as possible while it grows by reducing the length of competing stems and branches.

Avoid cutting the root system. If there is a conflict between the root system and a structure or project, let the arborist review the situation and determine if it's safe to prune the roots.

Ensure proper disposal of cut wood. Loose branches and logs have the potential to become projectiles during a severe storm.

Have all stumps ground down below grade. Stumps above grade pose a tripping hazard, regardless of season.

Mid Florida Tree Service has the experience and knowledge to help ensure your trees and yard are as ready as possible from potential storm threats.

Choose the right trees for your property

Some have said that just as the eyes are the window to the soul, your yard and landscaping are the windows to your home and your choice of trees and shrubs play a huge part in that.  They are possibly the biggest impression, favorable or not, that visitors or passersby will have of your yard and home so choosing the right trees for your property can cause a great deal of tension. Thankfully, with just a little information and suggestions from a Certified Arborist, like the ones at Mid Florida Tree Service, you'll replace tension with confidence.

 

Chances are your yard is already telling you what type of trees will most likely thrive on your property. There are a few major topics common to all properties that will need answering for you to be on your way to a more beautiful landscape.

 

Soil:

The texture of your soil is a factor to consider. Hard, compacted soil and loose soils are suited to different species. This texture dictates the hydration and aeration of the soil. Take clay, for example. It's know for being very fertile, but it's poor airflow and drainage can be an issue for some trees. Maples, however, thrive in it and evergreen shrubs do even better.

Loamy soil that is fertile and retains water well give you a chance to practice your green thumb with great results. Many pines, Cottonwood, Willows, the Douglas fir and many other trees as well as vegetables and herbs tend to do very well in loamy soil.

Climate:

Of course, the climate is a huge consideration when choosing a tree. For example, most apple trees don't do well in Florida, but a few specialized cultivars are the exception. The Tampa Bay area has a tropical to near tropical climate. It's hot and humid most of the year. There are some dry months, the occasional drought, and a somewhat cool winter with the rare freeze. More specific to your home, is the amount of sunlight that reaches the location of your new tree.

Ash trees are a low maintenance option in hot climates. Their height and sprawl make them great shade trees. Eucalyptus is another good option that's know for enduring the heat and our dry spells.

Pines do great in wet or dry areas. They provide a pleasant scent and are great for the winter holidays.

Will it Fit?

Consider not only the size of the tree, you plant, but the size it will grow into. Are you considering a centerpiece for your landscape, or a living privacy fence? A maple or sycamore in the middle of a large yard will provide a nice bit of shade. A row of dwarf junipers are nice to  run along a property line. Whatever vision you have for your property, good measurements will ensure the right choices are made.

Professionals, like those at Mid Florida Tree Service, can help you choose the right trees, and help care for them over the course of their lives. Their experienced and knowledgeable crews and Certified Arborists are among the best in the bay area. Mid Florida offers trimming, tree and stump removal, fertilization and general tree care.

Pipe Pigging Safety

Pigging requires an experienced operator hand. There are reports every year from OSHA of incidents which detail operators sustaining injuries, both minor and those requiring hospitalization, that occurred while performing a pigging operation. Some of the most common causes of these events are:

• opening of the main process valve while the closure door is not fully closed
• opening of the closure door while the vessel is still pressurized
• opening of the closure door while a high concentration of H₂S or other toxins remains inside the vessel
• leaving the vent valve open while the vessel is being pressurized with its medium

These causes all relate directly back to improper operation, due to inexperience or miscalculation, of the closure door(s) and the process valves. These kinds of incidents can be avoided by adding valve interlocks to the systems and most importantly by hiring experienced professionals like the ones at Professional Piping Services.

Pigging safety relies on knowing, and a strict adherence to, safety procedures which detail safe valve operating sequences. Though not intended to replace professional operators, valve interlocks can help enforce such sequences by physically blocking incorrect operations. Once permanently mounted to their respective valves or the closure door, valve interlocks block the operation of said door or valve unless the correct keys are inserted.The idea behind valve interlocking is the transfer of keys. Each lock comes with two uniquely coded keys: one for the locked open position and one for the locked closed position. During a pigging operating procedure, only the key that belongs to the valve or door next in sequence is free at a time.

Don’t risk employee safety and potential system damage to the possibility of saving a few dollars. Getting the job done safely and done right the first time is worth more than the minimal additional costs. Hire industry professionals with the experience and knowledge to provide you and your piping system excellent service. For service in Florida, call Professional Piping Services at 800-780-6098 to discuss how they can assist you.