Why Pre-Season Matters
Florida's hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity August through October. The difference between pre-season tree work and post-storm emergency work:
- Pre-season work can be scheduled, priced competitively, and done properly
- Emergency storm work is done at premium prices by whoever is available
- You control timing and scope before the season; the storm controls timing after
A one-hour walk around your property in April or May — with some attention to what you're looking at — can identify the specific trees that need professional attention before storm season. Here's what to assess.
The Walk: What to Look For
Dead Trees
Any dead tree over a target (your house, a neighbor's structure, vehicles, power lines, or areas where people are present) should be removed before storm season. Dead trees retain structural integrity for 1-3 years, then degrade. A standing dead pine over your back deck is a predictable failure mode — the only question is whether a storm triggers it or it falls on its own.
Identify dead trees by: No leaves in the growing season (when surrounding trees are leafed out), gray/bare bark, absence of buds.
Large Dead Limbs in Live Trees
Mature trees — particularly live oaks and water oaks — can have significant dead branches while the rest of the crown is healthy. Large dead limbs over structures, parked vehicles, or frequented areas are pre-season priorities for removal.
Look specifically at: Branches over the roof, the main outdoor areas, and any parked vehicles.
Leaning Trees
Note any trees that appear to be leaning more than they used to, particularly if the lean is toward a structure or populated area. Progressive lean — not just natural growth lean but recent change in angle — is a warning sign worth professional assessment.
Water Oaks
Water oaks (Quercus nigra) are exceptionally common in Tallahassee neighborhoods and deserve specific attention. They are:
- Shorter-lived than live oaks (60-100 years vs. 200-500+)
- More prone to internal decay
- More vulnerable to structural failure in storms
A mature water oak adjacent to your house with visible crown dieback, fungal conks at the base, or evidence of decay deserves professional assessment before storm season.
Trees Over Utility Lines
Trees growing into overhead lines are both a storm hazard and a utility compliance issue. Document these and either report them to the utility (for their line-clearance program) or address them as property-adjacent work.
Previous Storm Damage That Was Incompletely Addressed
After past storms, some trees receive emergency trimming that removed the obvious hazard but left the underlying structural problem. Trees that were previously topped, or that have old stubs and wounds from past storm work, may have developed decay at those wound sites. Check them again.
The Assessment Scale
Not everything needs immediate attention:
Immediate priority (address before June 1):
- Dead trees over structures, vehicles, or occupied areas
- Large hanging limbs over occupied areas
- Trees with evidence of root plate failure or structural failure imminent
- Water oaks with significant decay indicators adjacent to structures
Schedule within the season:
- Structural pruning of trees with identified weaknesses
- Crown thinning of dense trees over structures to reduce sail effect
- Any tree where professional assessment revealed a defined problem
Monitor:
- Healthy trees with minor structural issues that aren't near targets
- Trees you've had assessed and found sound
Using a Professional
For significant trees — large live oaks, water oaks over the house, trees with any visible defects — a professional assessment before storm season provides both information and documentation. ISA-certified arborist assessment is appropriate for high-value specimens, trees with complex issues, and situations where you want written documentation for insurance purposes.
Pre-season tree assessment in Tallahassee. Call (850) 570-4074 or request a consultation before hurricane season.