City provides information on vegetation post-storm
The city of Sanibel’s Natural Resources Department reported that following Hurricane Milton, residents and property owners may have experienced vegetation impacts and are now working to clean up/remedy the landscaping on their property.
In contrast to Hurricane Ian, which brought Category 4 force winds and storm surge to the island, Milton was a smaller scale a event that included storm surge, tropical storm force winds, and very little rain following the passing of the storm’s eye. As a result, there is less structural damage to trees; however, you may have noticed that since the storm, vegetation continues to brown and drop leaves. This is likely a result of saltwater storm surge inundation/salt spray combined with a lack of rain to dilute salt deposition in the soil and wash salt spray from leaves. It is important to remember, many native plants are adapted to these type of impacts from tropical weather events. Native plants may appear dead or dying, but given time they are likely to recover.
The department provided the following guidance related to vegetation impacts post-storm:
– HOW DO I KNOW IF A PLANT IS DEAD OR ALIVE?
If branches of a tree are flexible or green tissue is present just beneath the bark, the plant is still alive and will likely produce new leaves over the next month or as conditions allow. If you’re unsure whether the plant is dead or alive and the plant does not pose a hazard, leave it alone and see how the plant fares over the next few weeks/months.
– DOES SALT REMAIN AFTER THE STORM?
More than likely, especially since we are heading into the dry season. Without regular rainfall to dilute storm surge, salt deposits in the soil may linger for some time and salt spray may remain on the plant. According to soils tests following Ian, the University of Florida IFAS Extension (Lee County) determined that an inch of rainfall or irrigation would be enough to dilute the salt in the soils to a non-harmful level. We expect this is true of Milton’s storm surge. Similarly, rainfall or spraying down the plants would remove the salt spray.
– WHAT PLANTS ARE SALT TOLERANT?
Since Ian, Natural Resources has been maintaining a list of plants that were unaffected by or recovered from saltwater storm surge. The list provides some examples, but is not inclusive.
Salt tolerant plants include: gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), wild tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum), seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), mahogany (Swietenia mahogani), cabbage/sabal palm (Sabal palmetto), Jamaica dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia) green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus), cinnamon bark (Canella winterana), paurotis palm (Acoelorraphe wrightii), buckthorn (Sideroxylon celastrium), Jamaica caper (Quadrella jamaicensis), seven year apple (Casasia clusiifolia), bay cedar (Suriana maritima), joewood (Jacquinia keyensis), wild olive (Forestiera segregata), cat’s claw (Pithecellobium unguis-cati) lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), white indigo berry (Randia aculeata), necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa var. truncata), snowberry (Chiococca alba), inkberry (Scaevola plumieri), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), silver saw palmetto (Serenoa repens ‘Silver’), yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), coontie (Zamia integrifolia), golden creeper (Ernodea littoralis), sea oxeye daisy (Borrichia frutescens), Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia), marsh elder (Iva imbricata), railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. Brasiliensis), prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa var. austrina) spartina (Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens), black rush (Juncus roemerianus), sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) and sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense).
Contact Natural Resources for the full list of plants.
– HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD REMOVE A TREE?
After a hurricane some trees may be damaged beyond repair. Conditions that would warrant tree removal include: the lower main trunk is cracked or broken; a large stem has split from the tree; the tree is leaning towards a target (i.e., person, structure, vehicle, animal); the major roots are severed or broken; multiple limbs greater than 8 inches in diameter are broken. For more information, visit https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR172?downloadOpen=true.
– HOW DO I KNOW IF A TREE CAN BE RESTORED?
Many trees may look to be in poor condition after the storm. However, a tree standing after a hurricane is a good sign of resiliency and can likely be saved through restoration/corrective trimming. Under certain conditions a tree can be restored, which includes: young trees (trunk that is 10 inches diameter or less) can tolerate significant corrective pruning; canopy is defoliated; small branches (4 inches in diameter or less) are broken or dead; leaning or fallen trees are small or recently planted. For more information, visit https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP300?downloadOpen=true.
– CAN I TRIM OR REMOVE HURRICANE IMPACTED VEGETATION WITHOUT A PERMIT?
It depends on the situation. Vegetation activities that do not require a permit include: removal of vegetation debris on private property, seaward of the CCCL (beach dune), or within the mangrove fringe; removal of dead native or live and dead exotic plants; removal of downed native or exotic plants or those leaning at an angle greater than 30 degrees; restoration trimming and/or corrective pruning of hurricane damaged vegetation — excluding mangroves or vegetation seaward of the CCCL.
– WHAT VEGETATION ACTIVITIES REQUIRE A PERMIT?
Vegetation activities that do require a permit include: mangrove trimming and removal; vegetation trimming or removal seaward of the CCCL (beach dune); removal of live native vegetation (i.e., native plants that can be preserved or restored); other activities described in Sanibel Code Section 122-141-150 (Vegetation Permits), that are not otherwise addressed above.
– HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PERMIT?
Property owners can apply for permits online via the city’s Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal at https://www.mysanibel.com/sanibel-online. If you have never used the CSS portal, you must first create an account. Once you have an account you can search for the specific permit you need: vegetation, mangrove, or CCCL. Another option is to designate your vegetation contractor as an authorized agent, and they can apply for the permit on your behalf.
– CAN I REMOVE A TREE THAT HAS FALLEN ONTO MY PROPERTY FROM A NEIGHBORING PROPERTY?
Yes, but only with permission from the property from where the tree originated. However, even without permission, you may trim or remove any portion of the tree that crosses over your property line.
“We ask for your patience in allowing native vegetation recovery following this recent storm event,” the department said. “It will take time to restore the natural beauty of our barrier island sanctuary. It is important to preserve what native vegetation can be saved to begin the recovery of Sanibel’s valuable ecosystems.”
For more information or questions regarding vegetation recovery, trimming or removal, and permitting, contact the Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700 or sandnr@mysanibel.com.