City of New Smyrna Beach: Problem 1 Live Oaks Aubrey Schemel Atlantic High School

The problem Live oaks are key to the charm of New Smyrna and often property value. Live oaks tend to be vulnerable to the high winds of hurricanes. New Smyrna’s goal is to find long-term or other care in which will help make the live oaks less vulnerable to these winds.

Hurricane Season Live Oak’s Strength Property Value 1851-2017 166 years Average direct hits among other states: 19 Florida: 117 40% US hurricanes strike Florida Live oaks tend to fail at 130 mph winds and above Category 4 and 5 Known for strength About 90% survival rate in hurricane winds Heavy rainfall causes less friction between roots and soil May lead to weakened roots causing uprooting in hurricanes May live to be 100 years or older Up to $30,000 in property value May act as a windbreak to your home Can grow up to 60 feet tall Considered evergreens

Where oaks live Florida Current Care Where They Live Florida Current Care Americas, Asia, Europe, and North Africa Widespread Different species acclimated to different climates Cool climates to tropical Quercus virginiana is known as the southern live oak Common in Florida Frequent direct hurricane hits Average annual precipitation: about 59 inches Average high temperature: 79.5 degrees F Average low temperature: 55.7 degrees F Tree removal requires a permit Property owners determine the care of their trees City trees are generally pruned once a year Any endangerment to people or public property enables immediate removal (city trees)

The specificity of long-term care and maintenance of a live oak largely determines its survival rate against hurricane winds. SOLUTION Care Is Key

General Care Plant with topsoil Young trees do not require regular trimming All live oaks require regular irrigation Granular fertilizer 3 times a year Spring, summer, and autumn

The Base(ics) Requires a deep water table High water tables cause less friction between roots and soil Less stability No extra material closely surrounding their base Ex: mulch, flowers, etc. Mulch keeps bark moist Weakens base Insects and bacteria Rooting space Accommodate for sizing

Exposed Flare Covered flares Root flares Emerging support roots Should be partially above soil line Damaged or underdeveloped flares create instability Hazardous Increases likeliness of being uprooted Covered flares Urban tree’s flares are commonly covered Shorter life span Premature defoliation Delayed leaf set Poor shoot elongation Suffocate feeder roots Cause stress Girdling roots are not visible

Root Flare vs Covered

Damage Avoidance Grouping creates wind barriers between trees Trees growing in groups (of 5 or more) as opposed to individually have a higher survival rate Growing within 10 feet of one-another not side-by-side Structural pruning Reduces loose debris Removal of dead/unhealthy trees Endanger lives and property Requires a permit Dir. of Engineering

Care and Damage Avoidance Live oaks should be thoroughly cared for from their base to their branches. As many damage avoidance methods possible should be put in place as these pertain to placement and specific maintenance. Synopsis Care and Damage Avoidance

Citations Leonard, Daniel J. “Common Live Oak Problems and Solutions.” Gardening in the Panhandle, University of Florida, 18 July 2016, nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2016/07/26/common-live-oak-problems-and-solutions/. Data, US Climate. “Temperature - Precipitation - Sunshine - Snowfall.” Climate New Smyrna Beach - Florida and Weather Averages New Smyrna Beach, US Climate Data, 2017, www.usclimatedata.com/climate/new-smyrna-beach/florida/united-states/usfl1003. David F. Zierden, Lydia Stefanova Daniel J. Brouillette. “Climate Summary for Florida - April 2017.” Climate Summary for Florida - April 2017 - Florida Climate Center, The Florida State University, 2017, climatecenter.fsu.edu/products-services/summaries/climate-summary-for-florida-April-2017. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FR/FR17300.pdf Tree service, Volusia County New Smyrna. “Tree Pruning in New Smyrna Beach, FL.” New Smyrna Tree Service, New Smyrna Tree Service, 2017, www.newsmyrnatreeservice.com/tree-pruning.html. Data, US Climate. “Temperature - Precipitation - Sunshine - Snowfall.” Climate Florida - Temperature, Rainfall and Average, US Climate Data, 2017, www.usclimatedata.com/climate/florida/united-states/3179. Griggs, Brandon. “No Other State Gets Hit by Hurricanes as Often as Florida.” CNN, Cable News Network, 11 Sept. 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/09/11/us/hurricanes-landfall-by-state-trnd/index.html. Services, Preservation Tree. “C'mon, Show Us Your Flare! Why Tree Root Flares Should Be Exposed. - Blog.” Preservation Tree Services - Dallas, TX, Preservation Tree Services, 9 July 2015, preservationtree.com/blog/cmon-show-us-your-flare-why-tree-root-flares-should-be-exposed. Center, National Hurricane. “Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.” Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, National Hurricane Center, 0ADAD, www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php. University, Wheeling Jesuit. “How Hurricanes Form.” Hurricane Alert, Wheeling Jesuit University, 2017, www.e-missions.net/HurricaneAlert/?cat=72&sid=2&pid=93&page=Teacher%2BPages. Florida, Volusia County. “Trees.” Volusia County, Volusia County Florida, 0ADAD, www.volusia.org/services/growth-and-resource-management/environmental-management/permitting/trees/. Plant Guide, South Florida. “Live Oak Tree.” Guide to Florida Landscape Plants for the Southern Half of the Sunshine State, South Florida Plant Guide, 2017, www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/live-oak-tree.html.