Micro-climates as a potential barrier against hurricane strength winds.

[The Backlash Cometh]

I posted this on two of the sub-forums and didn't get much activity. Because of two unseasonal tornados which have hit Florida in less than two months, I thought we should start thinking of green ideas that might help us in the future:

One thing that seems to be lacking is information to help homeowners plan and establish natural buffers around their homes to slow down strong gusts of wind. Micro-climate is an old gardener's trick to use vegetation to improve environmental conditions for their garden. For example, it might be used where a garden might be on the dry side because of constant winds. Basically, you plant hedgerows on the outer borders, and bushes, then trees a little closer to the home (but not so close that falling branches will become a concern to the roof). The winds come in and climb over the hedge, bushes, then climb the canopy of the trees and, finally, over the roof. In essence, the home has a natural barrier. The most work a homeowner has to do is make sure the trees are trimmed before each hurricane season.

I know that tree coverage is definitely a way to protect property, because there is a hammock of unkempt trees nearby which have had three dead, but standing trees which have survived four hurricanes. The other trees are protecting them from the winds, and even twisters which have removed trees which are standing out on their own.

Obviously, this form of barrier will probably work best for homes that are further away from the coast, however, it does says something about leaving natural barriers on the coast wherever possible to take the brunt of incoming hurricanes.

About twisters: This is strictly anecdotal evidence, but our area was badly hit by one of the hurricanes during that bad hurricane season a few years back and there was a twister touch-down, actually several touchdowns, probably from the same twister. It completely leveled an old mature oak tree which was standing alone, out in the open, but where there was a canopy of trees, it only twisted off the top branches as it skimmed over them. Possibly, it never went down to the ground where it could do more damage because the canopy was stopping it? If so, isn't there information out there to show what kinds of vegetations would be helpful to slowing down the progress of these bad weather patterns? I couldn't help noticing that the area which was badly hit by this last tornado, was a new home subdivision which had no mature trees or bushes.

Now, the obstacles: Most real estate salesmen will tell you that if you have an upscale home, don't cover it up with vegetation. The only way to counter that mentality is to sell the benefits of micro-climates. And if there's science out there that supports my position, maybe it would be a good idea to start filtering it out in the Home sections of our Sunday papers?

One last potential benefit. You think of all the vegetation that we would be planting, and maybe we might be able to make up for some of the clear cutting we have done to make room for all these developments?

[eppur_se_muova]

1. "Most real estate salesmen will tell you..." Ye gods, I'd listen to a SALESMAN?

Trees trees trees. They make shade, and provide more natural beauty than a building ever will.

Maybe that's just the way I was raised, but one thing about a property that would always draw remarks of admiration from my parents was how nice the trees on the lot were. I really love the look of tree-lined streets in the older residential sections of some cities -- lots of elms, maples, sycamores, oaks.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. People went into shell-shock when we were hit by three hurricanes

that summer. If a mature oak tree crashed through your roof, you were looking at $8000.00 estimates for removal of the tree alone. Most insurance only covers $500.00

The answer is to plant trees at a distance, and plant them in small hammocks. One tree can't withstand the wind, but together they form a barrier.

Real Estate salesmen always have the last word. In Florida, they're a protected species.

[Jacobin]

2. Strong January tornadoes in Florida are the norm

Extensive research by the staff of National Weather Service (NWS) Office Melbourne, Florida has resulted in a significant advance in the understanding Florida tornado environments (see: research.html ). Recently, research has expanded to refine the knowledge of environments that favor significant Florida tornadoes (F2 or greater or fatalities). Tornadoes of F2 or greater intensity are rare in Florida, but are responsible for 93% of tornado deaths. Hagemeyer (1998) presented results of a study of significant tropical and hybrid cyclone tornadoes. This paper relates to significant extratropical (ET) cyclone tornadoes. A locally developed Florida hazardous weather database (Hagemeyer and Carney 1995) and statistics from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) through 1995 were used in this study.

Tornadoes associated with ET cyclones in the dry season (November - April) have been responsible for 65% of tornado deaths. Peak ET tornado activity generally occurs from January through April with a sharp decrease in early May. Fifty-eight percent of tornado deaths have occurred in January through April, and these months are considered the primary severe weather season in Florida. Prior to 1998, the worst Florida tornado outbreaks with respect to intensity and deaths had occurred from mid March through mid April. The majority of ET killer tornadoes occurred in the late night and morning hours with more than 60% occurring between midnight and noon.

http://www.srh.weather.gov/mlb/sls19paper10-1.html

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. I think we became complacent because they only hit mobilehomes.

However, now we're building frame houses with aluminium supports and they're the ones that got hit last week. Yet, no one seems to see the correlation.

[Pathwalker]

3. I'm doing this on my property - surrounding it with trees.

In fact, I'm creating a double barrier, but mostly to keep out the deer. On one side, it will also help by cutting down erosion on a steep slope, where the rain tries to wash it away. The privacy's nice too.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Love the privacy.

I think everyone sees me as a bit strange, but, if it keeps the predators away, it's well worth it.

By the way, don't forget to plant the bushes on the exterior side of the trees. The wind will attempt to climb them where they find them. Otherwise, it will just sweep under the canopy and hit you anyways.

[Pathwalker]

7. Eeek! Then, i'd have to do a triple barrier!

Since I'm in Michigan, I don't have much fear of hurricanes - at least not yet. Still, the winds have been brutal this winter, and some of my other trees have lost limbs due to them. I will also be planting several fruit trees next spring in my effort to be more self-sustaining.
FWIW, I don't think you're strange.