Resources · For HOAs & property managers
Hurricane season landscape checklist
What South Florida communities should do with trees, palms, drainage, and their landscape contract — before the season, when a storm is coming, and after it passes.
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Most storm damage to community landscapes is decided months earlier — by how trees were pruned, whether drains were clear, and whether anyone agreed on a cleanup plan.
Before the season
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Do this work in spring.
- Have a qualified arborist inspect trees near buildings, roads, and walkways for dead wood, weak branch unions, decay, and leaning trunks.
- Complete structural pruning to ANSI A300 standards — thin and balance canopies so wind passes through.
- Remove dead, dying, or hazardous trees, with permits where required.
- Prune palms correctly: remove dead fronds, seed pods, and coconuts. Avoid over-pruning (“hurricane cuts”), which weakens palms.
- Clear storm drains, catch basins, swales, and culverts of debris and sediment.
- Photograph the landscape, entrances, and trees for insurance records.
- Agree storm-response priorities and unit rates with your landscape contractor, in writing.
- Identify debris staging areas that will not block roads, hydrants, or drainage.
When a storm is forecast
Once a watch is issued, focus on anything that can become airborne.
- Remove or secure loose items: planters, decorative pots, signs, furniture, and stored materials.
- Pick up yard debris and cuttings; do not leave piles at the curb once a storm is approaching.
- Confirm the contractor’s post-storm contact and crew plan.
- Turn off irrigation ahead of heavy rain.
After the storm
Safety first — then access, then documentation, then cleanup.
- Stay clear of downed power lines and report them to your electric utility (FPL serves most of South Florida).
- Clear entrances, roads, and emergency access first.
- Photograph damage before cleanup begins, for insurance claims.
- Triage trees: many small trees and palms can be re-stood and staked if handled quickly.
- Separate vegetative debris from other storm debris, following county and city pickup rules.
- Walk the property with your contractor and agree a written recovery plan and priorities.
- Check irrigation for broken heads and lines before restarting the system.
Earthy · goearthy.com · (786) 498-5060
FAQ
Storm-season questions
When should an HOA prune trees for hurricane season?
In spring, before hurricane season starts on June 1. Structural pruning by a qualified arborist to ANSI A300 standards reduces wind resistance and removes weak or dead limbs, without the stress of over-pruning.
Should palms get a “hurricane cut” before a storm?
No. Removing too many green fronds weakens palms and does not make them more wind-resistant. Remove dead fronds, seed pods, and coconuts, and leave the healthy canopy.
How should storm cleanup be priced for a community?
Agree on response priorities and unit rates for cleanup and debris removal with your landscape contractor before the season, so there is no negotiation after a storm.
Get your community storm-ready
Earthy will walk your property before the season, flag hazard trees and drainage issues, and put storm priorities in writing. 24/7 emergency response when it matters.