Orange County encourages tree trimming for hurricane season

Hurricane season is here – and Orange County is advising residents to keep their trees trimmed and healthy.

Saturday, June 1 marked the beginning of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. If maintained properly, healthy and mature trees can shield your home during a storm. Keeping trees professionally pruned will also allow hurricane force winds to pass through them, decreasing the likelihood of them getting blown over.

Professional pruning should be done every few years by a certified, insured arborist. Orange County advises residents to look for an arborist who provides written quotes before agreeing to have any work done. Have your tree-care specialist evaluate branch patterns that may be susceptible to wind damage. 

An arborist may recommend removing large, unhealthy and damaged trees close to your home if they're at risk of falling over. Always ask the arborist to recommend a replacement tree you can plant and make sure permits have been properly prepared before you agree to have trees removed or have other substantial work completed.

Orange County does not provide tree trimming and arborist services to residents on private property. To find an ISA-certified arborist in your area who does provide these services, visit Treesaregood.org. For more information on how to prepare for a hurricane, visit ocfl.net/storm.