Have you wondered why some trees fared better than others during Hurricane Ian?

Thankfully, our area was spared some of the worst effects of Hurricane Ian, but there was still plenty of tree damage throughout Sarasota and its barrier islands. That said, most of the fallen trees were weaker species like Ficus Trees, Silk Oaks, Mangos, Avocados, Tabebuias, and Jacarandas.

In contrast, we only saw a few downed Live Oaks as we surveyed the damage across our service area. Live Oaks have an extremely stable root zone and they lose their leaves during high-wind events, thereby reducing wind drag. These properties make Live Oaks far less likely to fall over.

Weaker limbs and branches with decay came down during the storm, and weak joint connections, like the co-dominant tree shown in the accompanying video, were exposed by the hurricane winds, but the trees themselves were still standing after the storm. Co-dominant or bifurcated trees appear tightly joined but, in reality, they are only loosely held by their shared bark.

If you have trees or limbs that are leaning after the storm, call Sarasota Arborist at 941-321-8001 for a full evaluation.

Immediately recognizable by their tangled root systems that jut out of the muddy shores of rivers and estuaries across South Florida, mangroves play an vital ecological role.

Mangroves provide a habitat for thousands of vertebrate and invertebrate marine species and other wildlife, and they often bear the brunt of tropical storms and hurricanes. Although most mangroves grow out of the mud, they can also thrive in sand, peat, and coral rock, and they tolerate a level of salinity one hundred times greater than most other plants. In fact, mangroves are the only trees that can live in brackish water and they can withstand the daily ebb and flow of coastal tides that would drown most trees, even if the water itself were fresh. But these stately trees are by no means indestructible and, as such, they require expert care.

There are over half a million acres of mangroves in Florida and over 80% are under some form of government or private ownership or control and are expressly set aside for preservation or conservation purposes. This means that mangrove pruning, or removal must be conducted by a Professional Mangrove Trimmer (PMT) in compliance with the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act. Additionally, the City of Sarasota requires permits for the removal of any street tree, mangrove, or private tree on any property, and it is necessary to provide the building department with a Certified Arborist evaluation to obtain these permits.

Sarasota Arborist owner John Butts has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2006, and he has completed all PMT qualifications. If you live in Sarasota or the surrounding communities of Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lido Key and you have mangroves in or around your property, call Sarasota Arborist at 941-321-8001.

We offer specialized mangrove pruning services that cater to your needs. We can expertly trim your mangroves, in accordance with the Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act, improving your view while maintaining the health of your mangroves and helping you avoid hefty fines

Certified Arborists have the knowledge and training required to properly care for all kinds of trees.

Hiring an arborist should be viewed as an investment which can yield a substantial return.

Trees can add great beauty and value to your property, but injury, disease, and safety concerns can quickly turn an asset into a liability - as well as an eyesore.

Pruning or removing trees, especially large or diseased trees, is dangerous work and it requires specialized training and equipment to minimize the impact to the rest of your landscape and reduce the potential for personal injury or property damage.

What is a Certified Arborist?

By definition, an arborist is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees, but not all arborists are the same.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) promotes the professional practice of arboriculture to foster a greater awareness of the benefits of trees. Achieving ISA Certification is a voluntary process that demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills to properly care for trees, as well as a high level of dedication to your craft. ISA Credential holders understand the importance of continued education.
ISA credentials help consumers identify qualified, knowledgeable tree care professionals.

How to choose the right arborist?

When hiring an arborist, ensuring that they are ISA Certified, insured, and with good references will almost guarantee a good outcome.

1. ISA Certification guarantees that the company has the knowledge required to perform tree care at the highest level and that they are trained in the necessary safety procedures.

2. Tree maintenance is dangerous work. If a company does not carry their own insurance, the homeowner is liable for any accidents. Ask for proof of insurance before hiring an arborist.

3. Ask for references from similar jobs in your area.

What are some signs that your trees are in trouble?

• Large dead branches hanging from the tree
• Cavities or rotten wood along the trunk or in major branches
• Mushrooms present at the base of the tree
• Cracks or splits in the trunk or where branches attach
• If the trunk has developed a strong lean
• If the roots have been broken, injured, or damaged

Sarasota Arborist offers a full range of professional tree services include pruning & trimming, tree removal, and stump grinding as well as consulting services for people seeking a tree removal permit, property developers, homeowners associations, and realtors.

Over-pruning, specifically when it comes to Areca palms, could be the culprit.

Many people believe that all the new growth on Areca palms should be trimmed away. Unfortunately, all these open cuts make Arecas an easy target for many palm diseases like the deadly Ganoderma butt rot pictured here.

Ganoderma is so contagious that it can easily be transferred to other palms through landscaping tools like pruning shears and, once a diseased palm is removed, you should wait at least 4 years before planting another palm in its place because the disease could be still present in the soil.

If you see the telltale conk of Ganoderma butt rot or you suspect that any of your palms have become infected with Ganoderma or any other disease, call Sarasota Arborist at 941-923-5051 before the problem spreads to healthy palms in your property.