Hurricane Harvey Effects and Historic Tree Survival

Hurricanes can cause significant damage to newly installed and existing tree canopy. Trees with structural defects, those planted too deeply, improperly pruned and or planted in too small a space often experience significant storm related failures. You can reduce the potential for a storm related failure by following proper tree pruning principles and utilizing an ISA Certified Arborist to inspect your trees annually. There are also lessons to be learned from older trees that have survived multiple and or significant storm events and escaped relatively unscathed. Per the included article link below a 1,000+ year old Live Oak tree survived the effects of Hurricane Harvey with minimal damage. Note the ample growing space and robust structure of the tree, both possible factors in why the tree was able to survive.

Photograph Courtesy of the Independent US.

 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hurricane-harvey-oak-tree-1000-year-old-survive-tropical-storm-goose-island-state-park-a7920576.html