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Temple Terrace arborist urges homeowners to inspect, prune trees before hurricane season
Summary
City arborist Joe Farris told residents to inspect trees for dead limbs, hire ISA-certified arborists for pruning, and contact Public Works if a tree blocks a sidewalk or roadway.
Joe Farris, the City arborist for the City of Temple Terrace, urged residents to inspect and properly maintain trees ahead of hurricane season to reduce storm-related hazards.
"Hurricane season is here, and strong winds can cause weak or damaged trees to become serious hazards," Farris said, advising homeowners to "start by inspecting the trees on your property, looking for dead or broken limbs that can become flying obstacles during a hurricane." He recommended residents look for "cracks, decays, and hanging limbs" and to "call a licensed tree service with the ISA-certified arborist on staff" if they spot concerns.
Farris emphasized timing and technique for pruning. "Don't wait till a storm is on its way," he said. "Pruning now can help a tree withstand the high winds, but don't over prune. Pruning too much will actually weaken the tree and can cause it to fail during a hurricane." He noted that if a tree fails during a storm, the location of where it falls affects cleanup responsibility, and advised residents to be proactive about maintenance.
On public-right-of-way incidents, Farris said residents should contact the city's Public Works Department. "If a tree falls across the sidewalk in the right of way or the road, contact Public Works, and our streets crew will clean it up," he said.
Farris closed by inviting residents with questions to contact him through City of Temple Terrace channels.
