As a Category 4 Hurricane, Hurricane Irma’s wrath was felt in the Southwest Florida region, especially in Naples and Marco Island. Homes and trees were damaged and destroyed. Six months later, people are still repairing roofs, lanais, and have trees down in yards.

Living in Florida, there’s always a chance a hurricane will pass on by, so it is crucial to trim trees regularly. Regular tree trimming keeps trees healthy and appropriately sized, so they are less likely to fall or break during a storm. A person can spend thousands of dollars in damage and removal costs from falling branches and trees. Many of the trees and branches that fall during a storm could be prevented through proper routine tree trimming throughout the year.

After a storm, you will want a certified tree specialist to come out on your property to assess if the damaged trees need to be removed or if they can be restored. If a tree has major cracks and breaks in its trunk and limbs, there’s a good chance the tree cannot be saved. If a tree’s roots are lifted out of the soil, it likely can not be put back into the ground.

If much of the canopy blew off/was damaged/ripped away, there is still a chance for survival for the tree. New foliage can reappear again. Small broken or dead branches are OK, and won’t necessarily kill off the tree. If you had a small or newly planted tree, there’s a chance it can be replanted again if it fell over during the storm.

You’ll want to call tree specialists to assess damage, trim trees, replant trees, clean the canopy, and remove badly damaged and dead trees.

When it comes to trees and storms, it’s best to take care of your trees year-round to avoid more problems during a storm. As for after a storm, not all is lost. A certified tree specialist can let you know what can be saved.

At Fortune’s Lawn Care Services, we provide many tree services, including tree trimming, stump grinding, tree canopy maintenance, and tree removal by certified, skilled professionals. We are based in Marco Island, Florida, and service customers in Marco Island and the Isles of Capri in Naples, Florida. Contact us at 239-438-7070 or click here to set up an appointment with one of our tree specialists.

In Florida, it’s the dry season. In the past few years fires have popped up across the state due to the drought.

For this article, our tree professionals at Fortune’s Lawncare Services wanted to share with you some brief tips about proper tree care during a dry season or drought.

Older trees can withstand drier conditions than younger or newly planted trees. These younger or new trees can become weak and even die from lack of water.

How can you tell if your trees are suffering from a drought? No matter the tree’s age, usually a tree will first show signs of stress in the top of its canopy as more leaves fall off, wilt, or turn colors. If you are in the middle of a drought, water the trees before you notice any stress/damage to them. Watering them twice a week is good. However, if your town has water bans, you may not be able to do this. Do not put fertilizer on them, as this actually takes water away from the roots. Don’t trim branches during a drought. The tree needs to focus on conserving water and energy, not re-growing itself. During a drought, move mulch away from a tree; mulch absorbs a lot of water, and you’d rather the tree taking in this water than the mulch.

Although you can take care of trees yourself during a drought, it’s in your best interest to get the opinion of a certified tree professional. You don’t want to overwater trees or make any other decisions that actually may bring more harm than good to the plants. By having a professional tree specialist come to your property, he or she can tell you what you need to do to protect your plants (if anything) during the dry season, so you don’t lose any trees.

Work with us at Fortune’s Lawn Care Services to help protect and save your trees! Our mission is to provide reliable and affordable landscaping maintenance. Our tree team at Fortune’s Lawn Care Services are licensed, insured professionals who know how to properly manage and handle the job, whether big or small. We are based in Marco Island, Florida, and service customers in Marco Island and the Isles of Capri in Naples, Florida. Contact us at 239-438-7070 or click here to set up an appointment with one of our tree specialists.

Have you ever noticed that a home without trees around it just looks bare? Or, strange? Like something is missing? Trees add tremendous value to our properties in more ways than one. Trees, like plants and flowers, connect our homes to nature. We rely on these trees for so many things, including our own survival. These trees add depth to our property, whether they’re small or tower over our homes. They make our houses look more welcoming and less cold.

If you’re unsure of how to care for the trees on your property, especially living in a sub-tropical climate like Marco Island or Naples, your best bet is to hire a tree specialist who is a certified expert in the trees that grow in the Southwest Florida area.

You should aim to keep all trees on your property, and only remove them if they are dead or causing a safety issue to you and your home. So, how and why does keeping trees benefit your home property?

• As you know living in the Sunshine State, there is a lot of sun year-round. Shade is welcomed, and trees provide that for us! With the proper positioning near and around your home, big trees can even cut down your air conditioning costs as they help block out the sun’s heat.
• Trees provide a home for birds and animals. In Southwest Florida, there’s are endless species of animals and birds living in the region, especially being so close to the Everglades. Many migrate to the area during the winter season. It’s important to give wildlife a place to live to balance out the human construction that has entered their habitats.
• Trees create privacy on your property from their branches and leaves.
• Trees can also help buffer sound on your property.
• In Florida, you can easily plant fruit trees (oranges, lemons, bananas, and more), which means you now have a fresh and free source of fruit right in your yard!
• Trees can increase your property value.

Ready to transform your backyard with some trees? Our tree planning and development team at Fortune’s Lawn Care Services are experts in tree landscaping. At Fortune’s Lawn Care Services, we provide tree trimming, tree removal, tree moving, and tree canopy maintenance for the trees on your property. Let us help you get your trees looking their best!

We are based in Marco Island, Florida, and service customers in Marco Island and the Isles of Capri in Naples, Florida. Contact us at 239-438-7070 or click here to set up an appointment with one of our tree specialists.