Home / Hurricane Prep
Hurricane Tree Preparation
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. The best time to get trees ready is early in the season or before it starts, not when a storm is already in the forecast.
Start early
Tree companies get booked solid once a storm is named, and local officials typically ask residents not to put out yard debris once a storm is approaching, because it can turn into projectiles. Schedule structural pruning, deadwood removal and palm cleaning in late spring or early summer.
What a pre-season check covers
A good tree pro looks for dead or hanging limbs, cracks and decay in the trunk, branches over the roof, trees leaning toward the house, coconuts and dead fronds, and root damage from construction or erosion. They should explain what's urgent and what can wait.
Right tree, right place
UF/IFAS research on hurricanes found that some species hold up much better than others. If you're replacing a tree, ask about wind-resistant choices for South Florida and plant them well away from the house and power lines.
Don't over-prune
Heavy thinning or 'lion-tailing' that strips the inner branches can make a tree more likely to fail in wind, and 'hurricane cuts' on palms weaken them. Moderate, structural pruning is the goal.
Hurricane Prep by city
Request hurricane prep quotes
Tell us about the job. A local tree company from our network will contact you, usually by phone. Free, no obligation.
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm with your city or the county before removing a tree. Last reviewed 2026-10-18.