Wind-Resistant Trees
Trees that can withstand hurricanes
Trees provide ample benefits to the landscape, including shade and wildlife habitat. But they can become hazards during storms, especially in Florida during hurricane season. To help mitigate the risk posed by falling trees, certain efforts can be made when selecting and caring for trees in your yard. The ability of a tree to withstand high winds is impacted by the traits of that species, the local conditions and how it is maintained.
Being aware of the health of your trees is an important part of hurricane planning. You should have a certified arborist assess your existing trees for signs of decay and disease as well as structural defects prior to hurricane season, so that you can remove the vulnerable ones. Preventative pruning of young and mature trees can also significantly increase a tree’s chance of survival during storms.
Planting high-quality nursery trees that are in good condition is always a good starting point, along with following proper planting and maintenance requirements. When a tree fails, it’s recommended to plant a new tree in its place. Planting a mixture of different species at varying ages can serve as protection against wind. It’s crucial to provide enough room for roots to spread out by keeping them away from buildings and sidewalks. The larger the size of the tree at maturity, the larger the planting space needs to be. You should also make sure planting sites have 3 feet of soil depth. Instead of planting trees individually, group trees together to create more stability.
Tree selection is another key element when designing your landscape with hurricanes in mind. Certain trees perform better in storms and can be considered wind resistant. Researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) analyzed common urban trees in Florida and rated their ability to withstand high winds. This data was collected from observations of damage after hurricanes, expert opinions and species characteristics. Below are some trees available in Florida that were found to be wind resistant (or recommended as wind resistant).
Highest Wind-Resistance Rating
All species are native unless otherwise noted.
- Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba)
- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
- Lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum) on Ask IFAS
- Crabwood (Gymnanthes lucida)
- American holly (Ilex opaca)
- Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria)
- Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
- Bluejack oak (Quercus incana) on Ask IFAS
- Sand post oak (Quercus margarettae)
- Turkey oak (Quercus laevis)
- Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)
- Sand live oak (Quercus geminata) on Ask IFAS
- Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) – not native
- Tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) – not native
- Silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) – not native on Ask IFAS
- Moreton bay fig (Ficus macrophylla) – not native
Medium High Wind-Resistance Rating
All species are native unless otherwise noted.
- American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) on Ask IFAS
- Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) on Ask IFAS
- Pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia) on Ask IFAS
- Common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) on Ask IFAS
- Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) on Ask IFAS
- False tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum) on Ask IFAS
- Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
- Swamp tupelo (Nyssa aquatica)
- Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
- Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii)
- West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) on Ask IFAS
- Broadleaf podocarpus (Nageia nagi) – not native
More from UF/IFAS
- Blackgum/Tupelo trees: At home in the river or your backyard–Gardening in the Panhandle
- Sand Post Oak–Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
- Selecting Coastal Plain Species for Wind Resistance
- Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Trees Species for Wind Resistance
- Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes