Why spring is the right time to start
By the time June arrives and the first named storm is tracking toward Florida, it's too late to meaningfully improve a tree's wind resistance. Crown thinning, deadwood removal, and any structural pruning need weeks to settle, not days — which is why we push people toward spring, not late May, for storm-prep work.
Start with deadwood, not a full trim
Dead limbs are the single biggest storm-season risk on most Lehigh Acres properties, and removing them is usually the fastest, cheapest way to reduce hazard. If budget or time is limited, deadwood removal alone is a reasonable first step before a full crown thinning.
Check root flare on anything with a slight lean
A tree with even a mild lean deserves a look at the base — sandy soil hides root-plate problems that aren't visible from a few feet away. If you notice soil cracking or heaving around the trunk, that's worth a professional assessment before storm season, not after.
Palms need a different kind of prep
Palms don't need the same crown-thinning approach as hardwoods. The priority for palms ahead of storm season is clearing dead fronds and heavy seed pods that can become projectiles in high wind — not stripping the canopy back aggressively.
Don't forget what's near power lines
Branches that have grown close to overhead lines during the year are a common cause of outages during storms. A clearance check ahead of season, especially for properties along corridors like Lee Boulevard or Homestead Road, is worth adding to your prep list.