In South Florida, preparation isn’t optional—it’s essential. With hurricane season officially starting on June 1st, May is the ideal time for commercial property owners and managers to get ahead of potential storm-related landscape damage. A proactive approach now can protect your investment, reduce liability, and speed up recovery if extreme weather hits.
At Cutter’s Edge Total Landscape Solutions, we understand the challenges of managing commercial landscapes in a subtropical climate. Our team helps businesses, HOAs, healthcare campuses, and educational facilities develop durable, attractive outdoor environments that can weather the storm. Here’s how to hurricane-harden your commercial landscape before it’s too late.
Start with a Professional Tree Inspection
One of the most common sources of storm damage comes from trees—whether it’s falling limbs, split trunks, or full tree failure. Now is the time to schedule a tree inspection with a certified arborist from Cutter’s Edge.
We assess:
- Canopy density (dense canopies catch more wind and are more likely to fail)
- Dead or diseased limbs
- Weak or overextended branches
- Root health and soil stability
From there, we can create a plan that includes crown thinning, hazard limb removal, and support staking for younger or more vulnerable trees.
Trim and Prune for Wind Resistance
Pruning isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a critical step in storm preparation. Strategic pruning can significantly reduce wind resistance by thinning dense canopies, improving airflow, and reducing the risk of breakage.
Cutter’s Edge tree care teams are trained to follow ANSI A300 pruning standards to ensure your landscape stays both safe and attractive. We also remove palm fronds, coconuts, seed pods, and other loose debris that can become dangerous in high winds.
Assess Drainage Systems
When storms hit, it’s not just wind you need to worry about—excessive rain can lead to standing water, erosion, and root rot. May is the perfect time to inspect and enhance your property’s drainage infrastructure.
We check:
- French drains and swales
- Catch basins and culverts
- Gutter and downspout outflows
- Low-lying landscape beds
We also recommend keeping mulch fresh and properly contained to prevent it from clogging storm drains during heavy rainfall.
Secure Loose Landscape Elements
Loose pavers, decorative stones, garden features, signage, and outdoor furnishings can quickly become airborne in hurricane-force winds. Our landscape maintenance teams help identify and secure—or temporarily remove—any elements that pose a risk to people or property.
Protect Irrigation Infrastructure
Smart irrigation systems can save you money year-round, but they can also be vulnerable in a storm if not protected properly. Our team inspects controllers, valves, and backflow preventers for proper anchoring. In the event of an approaching storm, we can help you temporarily shut down the system to avoid pressure surges or electrical damage.
Develop a Landscape Recovery Plan
Preparation doesn’t stop with prevention. Having a recovery strategy is equally important. Cutter’s Edge works with commercial clients to prioritize post-storm cleanup, irrigation reactivation, plant replacement, and tree re-stabilization to get your property back to business quickly.
Prepare Now
May is your window to prepare. Don’t wait for the first named storm to start thinking about hurricane safety. With proper planning, expert care, and proactive maintenance, your commercial landscape can survive and even thrive in the face of Florida’s toughest weather.
Let Cutter’s Edge help you build a hurricane-hardened landscape you can count on—rain or shine.
