Hurricane season runs June through November along the Georgia coast. If you own a home in Savannah, Pooler, or anywhere in Chatham County, your trees need attention before the first named storm shows up.
Here's what you need to know.
Dead Limbs Are Your Biggest Risk
Walk your property right now. Look up. See any branches without leaves? Those are dead. When winds hit 60 mph, dead wood snaps off and goes flying.
Dead pine branches are especially dangerous. They're heavy and brittle. One dead pine limb through your roof costs more than hiring an arborist to remove it safely.
If you have oaks in the historic squares near your home, they're probably old. Old trees drop limbs even in normal storms. Get them inspected now.
Which Trees Need Attention First
Start with trees close to your house or power lines. A tree 50 feet from your home can still hit it if the trunk splits. Measure it out. You might be surprised how close that oak really is.
Pines with exposed roots are next. Sandy Savannah soil doesn't hold roots well when the ground gets saturated. If you can see roots coming up near the base, that tree is a fall risk.
Sweetgums and water oaks grow fast and weak. Their wood splits easily in high winds. If you have large sweetgums near structures, get them trimmed back or removed before hurricane season.
Trimming vs Removal
Not every tree needs to come down. A healthy oak with a few dead branches just needs pruning. But if more than 30% of the canopy is dead, removal is safer and cheaper than waiting for a storm to do it for you.
Crown thinning helps wind pass through instead of pushing against a solid wall of leaves. This is especially important for large trees near homes on Victory Drive, Abercorn, or anywhere with mature landscaping.
If a tree is leaning more than 15 degrees, it's already failing. Don't wait for the next big rain to find out if it'll hold.
Timing Matters
June is too late. Every arborist in Savannah is booked solid once the first tropical depression forms in the Atlantic. Schedule your tree work in March, April, or early May.
After a hurricane warning is issued, no one is coming to trim your trees. Crews are on standby for emergency response only. The time to act is now, when you can plan instead of react.
Get a Free Assessment
Not sure which trees pose a risk? Chase from Savannah Tree Service will walk your property and point out problem areas. He knows Savannah trees and what fails in storms.
The assessment is free. The peace of mind is worth it. Call before hurricane season starts and your property is ready.