Post Hurricane Recovery

[Mr. Clean]

For those who with fruit trees that may be affected by a hurricane...a few thoughts on recovery.

If a branch or main trunk is broken off during a storm, it may be best to prune off the damaged portion, leaving a clean cut.  This may speed the healing process.  The jagged break provides a larger surface for insect infestation and disease entry.  Cuts should not be into the collar of a branch.

If you apply fertilizer, reduce the fertilizer to reflect the new canopy size.  You risk chemically burning the tree with too much fertilizer.

From my experience, trees susceptible to flooding... avocado, starfruit, sapodilla, and papaya.

Trees that can withstand some flooding:  mango and jackfruit.

Best wishes to all!

[Vernmented]

I thought sapodilla had excellent flood tolerance. I have seen jackfruit get more root damage from flooding than other commonly grown tropicals. I could be wrong though.

[bsbullie]

I thought sapodilla had excellent flood tolerance. I have seen jackfruit get more root damage from flooding than other commonly grown tropicals. I could be wrong though.

Correct on the sapodilla having very good tolerance.  Jackfruit like to be wateted but dont take too kindly to be outright flooded..

[Vernmented]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs322

[Mr. Clean]

During Hurricane Isaac, my Bangkok Lemon tolerated flooding well.  My Ox Sapodilla, died from flooding. 

[FruitFreak]

During Hurricane Isaac, my Bangkok Lemon tolerated flooding well.  My Ox Sapodilla, died from flooding.

Maybe the sapodilla picked up a pathogen during that time and it wasn't actually the flooding that killed it?

[DeeMango]

For those who with fruit trees that may be affected by a hurricane...a few thoughts on recovery.

If a branch or main trunk is broken off during a storm, it may be best to prune off the damaged portion, leaving a clean cut.  This may speed the healing process.  The jagged break provides a larger surface for insect infestation and disease entry.  Cuts should not be into the collar of a branch.

If you apply fertilizer, reduce the fertilizer to reflect the new canopy size.  You risk chemically burning the tree with too much fertilizer.

From my experience, trees susceptible to flooding... avocado, starfruit, sapodilla, and papaya.

Trees that can withstand some flooding:  mango and jackfruit.

Best wishes to all!

Longans should also stand up to flooding. It's nearly impossible to overwater them.