Wind resistance and trees: Lessons learned from wind and hurricane events

Carolyn Saft, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County Contributor As you are thinking of replacing trees on your property, consider these tips and the following trees, based on the research of ten hurricanes and their effect on the urban forest. •To reduce your risk of wind damage, maintain diversity in your yard and community by planting a mixture of species, ages and layers of trees and shrubs. •Plant trees in groups as opposed to individually. •Groupings of five trees survived better than individual trees in Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne; plants were not planted in a row. •Give trees enough rooting space based on their mature size: small trees at least 10' x 10'; medium trees at lea