January and February are two great months to do maintenance on those trees in your yard. One of the key tasks to accomplish during this period is to properly prune your trees. Why prune? By removing dead or diseased branches and selected limbs, your trees will be healthier and better able to withstand hurricane force winds.
While pruning is important, remember that improper pruning can cause more harm than good. That's why if you are considering having a tree service come to tend to your trees, be sure to select a certified arborist who knows the right way to prune. You can find a local certified arborist by visiting: www.isa-arbor.com/findArborist/findarborist.aspx and scrolling to the bottom of the page where you can search by your zip code.
Another reason for having trees pruned now is that all of the debris will be hauled off and disposed of. Many homeowners wait until a storm approaches before doing their trimming, leaving piles of branches by the roadside which will become missiles when blown by the wind.
If you have any other questions about preparing your trees for hurricane season, call Pinellas County Extension at (727) 582-2100.