​Preventative pruning of your shade trees now can help to promote good tree structure, making for a more storm resistant tree. Our hurricane season begins June 1st through November 30th. Prepare trees for those windstorms by proper tree pruning.  A wind resistant tree is the result of regular pruning care since its early life. Shade trees should never be cut back to make them bushy, but instead should be encouraged to form a strong leader with a well spaced framework of lateral branches. Start your pruning routine by removing dead, dying or damaged branches first this will limit spread of decay and diseases. Remove crossing branches and branches within the canopy that are narrowly attached. Trees can then be thinned out to increase light penetration, encouraging turf and shrub growth beneath the tree. Trees with properly thinned crowns resist wind damage better than un-pruned trees. Thinning requires specialized pruning technique best performed by a certified arborist. For information on selecting a International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist contact: www.isa-arbor.com

For more tips on pruning contact the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteer hotline call 233-1750 M-F 9-4.

Photo: Severe branch wind storm damage