The abrupt change in color of many trees in our community following Hurricane Milton's landfall has prompted NBC2 viewers to ask why so many of them don't look as healthy as they did before the storm.
Though it's understandable for trees clearly damaged during the storm or close to the flooded areas to look beat up after a hurricane, many trees well inland of the Gulf that were not flooded by salt water storm surge are also experiencing abrupt changes.
Many viewers have also pointed out that the south- and southwestern-facing sections of many of the impacted trees appear to be worse.
To get answers about what's going on, NBC2 asked a certified arborist why so many trees, especially those not visibly damaged during the storm, look so different less than a week after Milton's landfall.
Arborists are individuals who specialize in the care and maintenance of trees.
According to Joshua D. Hill of Southwest Florida-based Joshua Tree, the quick color change is a common response seen in plant species following events like hurricanes.
"These stress responses can cause trees to shed leaves as a survival mechanism to conserve energy," Hill said.
Though Milton made landfall in Sarasota County, the storm's expansive wind field kept Southwest Florida in a swath of sustained tropical-storm-force winds for hours.
Because of the storm's forward motion toward the northeast, the strongest winds with hurricane force-wind gusts in our area were from the southwest.
Thankfully, despite how roughed up many of our area's plants appeared Tuesday, what we're seeing now likely isn't permanent.
"In most cases, the trees will recover over time, but some may need further care or pruning depending on the damage," Hill said.
So keep an eye on your trees. If they're losing their leaves or changing color now, it's likely a direct response to the events of the past week.
If they don't improve with time, check with a certified arborist to make sure there isn't damage you can't see from the outside that is causing additional stress on the vegetation.