Your Landscape After Irma

A note from Jonathan Burgess, Principal at Paradelo Burgess Design Studio:

While I'm glad to hear that most people and buildings avoided injury during this devastating storm, it's heart breaking to observe the ravaged landscapes and lost tree canopy across our State. High wind speeds, flooding, and salt spray have torn apart limbs, uprooted large specimens, displaced habitat, burned leaves and saturated roots with salt deposited runoff. Many of the less resilient and damaged trees and palms still standing are in shock and will take years to thrive again if they can recover at all.

And while I'm grateful for the hardworking crews cleaning up our properties and streets, I fear that much of the damage will go unmitigated. Many of our codes aren't set up to require tree replacements for losses through acts of God, and those who install newly planted trees will have to wait years to receive the same benefits we enjoyed before the storm.

If you are concerned like I am, here's what you can do to help:

1) Take pictures of ALL downed trees and plant damage, including on your own property, along streets and in public spaces, and even of bulk waste piles before the crews come by starting tomorrow to pick them up. Record any visible open cuts and sores and burned leaves and upload to SeeClickFix or NextDoor so we can keep a public record.

2) If you do not have power, your automatic irrigation system will not work. Your plants are in shock and are very thirsty. Not only will watering them by hand once with a garden hose help them recover faster, it will help rinse off any salt spray on the leaves. Be careful not to overwater or water inefficiently; google self-watering tips for advice.

3) Consider using gypsum as a soil amendment to offset the concentrated salt currently impacting their roots.

4) Call a local Landscape Architect, Certified Arborist or your Master Gardener help desk. The tree trimming and landscape companies are fully deployed clearing debris from this first wave of damage, but there are many more experts in your area ready and willing to help! Use Houzz to find a local professional or contact me I'd be glad to help where I can.

If we can be a resource, please reach out to us at: info@paradeloburgess.com or call (786) 671-8250.