Monthly Archives: August 2021

Tree Facts for Hurricane Season

Understanding the essential tree facts for hurricane season is crucial to reducing the threat of damage from storms here in Florida. Hurricane season is officially from May 22 until November 30, 2021. This is the time when many Floridians will face tropical storms and possibly hurricanes. The Florida Panhandle is currently facing landfall of Tropical Storm Fred with rain bands impacting Jacksonville while Tropical Depression Grace is tracking through the Caribbean, and Tropical Depression 8 that could become Henri is gaining strength near Bermuda.

The following are a few tree facts for hurricane season preparation.

1. Older trees may need pruning to reduce the risk of overhanging limbs to structures and power lines. Remove dead, diseased, cracked, and broken limbs at risk of falling during high wind events and hurricanes. A licensed arborist can provide professional assessments of what needs to be done to protect the specific trees before and after hurricane season. With eighteen inches of rain in the last six weeks, the ground is saturated with water that weakens root systems.

2. Some trees are at greater risk of attracting lighting, with those struck most often being oak, pine, and palms. When hit, the tree will attempt to repair itself but should be monitored over some months. Ultimately the damaged tree may require pruning or complete removal.

3. Tree species with shallow roots and large canopies, when combined with saturated soil, are at higher risk of coming down during high wind and rain events. Examples are Maples, Willows, Elms, and Birches.

4. Recently planted younger trees’ root systems may still be inadequate to protect against extreme wind and rain and can be at serious risk of falling. Staking trees when planted and leaving them staked throughout the season is best. Many can be stood back up, replanted, and secured if they fall. Still, they can be badly damaged in such events where the roots become ajar, exposed, or damaged.

Though tragic, it’s hardly a surprise when we see news coverage of a limb or large tree that fell into a home or that crushed a vehicle during high wind and rain. Regardless of the conditions of our trees, when faced with an impending storm event, it is best to assess the situation. Be aware of your surroundings, especially what is above, and take necessary precautions to protect friends, family, and yourself.

Visit our garden center for all your plants and gardening supplies. Contact Earth Works Landscaping department to schedule a consultation for all your landscaping, hardscaping, and drainage solution needs. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations.

Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.

Drainage Solutions for Northeast Florida

Earth Works of Jacksonville provides comprehensive drainage solutions for Northeast Florida homeowners and businesses to protect your home and property from flooding and other harms associated with prolonged standing water. Earth Works Owners Douglas McGregor and Mark Fechtel have been providing drainage services for over 30 years. We offer customized drainage services and solutions with multiple configuration options discussed in our consultation process tailored to your specific needs.

Typical configurations include:
-GRAVITY DRAINAGE WITH DRAIN BOXES for points of collection and hard pipe (PVC or sewer and drain) or an ADS Corrugated Pipe to move water from the problem area to a lower outflow area to provide proper drainage. A transit or automatic level is used to shoot the grades and elevations to ensure that there is proper gravity flow. If there is not adequate fall, a sump pump drainage system can be installed to move the water out of the problem area.

-French drains to catch runoff and provide gravity drainage solutions. French drains can be connected to systems of various configurations and type of pipe.

-Channel drains are appropriate drainage solution for pool decks, outdoor kitchens, hardscaping, and driveways. Connect channel drains to downspouts and route off property with hard pipe to outflow boxes or connect into one of our custom drainage systems.

-Swales and cisterns are examples of options for onsite water retention required in many Northeast Florida counties due to presence of environmentally sensitive ecosystems. We can also provide underground water retention with aqua bloxs or a dry well if the soil is sandy enough. The aqua bloxs could be combined with a pond or pondless water feature.

All of Earth Works drainage solutions meet federal, state, and local regulations designed to protect your property, safety, and the environment.  Our drainage systems are guaranteed to work and are warranted for 1 year on parts and labor.

CONTACT US (904)996-0712 to schedule a consultation to create a design plan to accommodate your comprehensive drainage solution needs. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations.

Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.