“ Atlantic Hurricanes and Climate Change .” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “ Study: Most trees survive winds from hurricanes as strong as Category 1; experts still urge caution .” By Brad Buck, senior public relations specialist. University of Florida IFAS. “ Choosing trees for hurricane resistance .” By Bennett B. Joffrion, Jr., horticulture agent. Louisiana State University Extension. “ The Impact of Visual Defects and Neighboring Trees on Wind-Related Tree Failures .” By Michael F. Nelson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Shawn M. Landry, and Brian Kane. MDPI. “ Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes .” By Mary L. Duryea, emeritus professor, and Eliana Kampf, academic program specialist. University of Florida IFAS. “ How to Make Trees Storm Resistant .” Edited by James R. Fazio. Originally by the Arbor Day Foundation, hosted on the official website of the State of Oregon. “ Prepare lawns, landscapes, gardens for hurricane season .” By Heather Kirk-Ballard, assistant professor. Louisiana State University Extension.

8 Hurricane-Resistant Landscaping Ideas

Hurricane-resistant landscaping isn’t just about curb appeal — it’s your home’s first defense against nature’s fury. Strategic plant selection and placement create a protective shield that can mean the difference between minor cleanup and catastrophic damage when storms strike.

Climate data reveals a troubling trend: hurricanes are intensifying. NOAA research shows storms now deliver 15% more rainfall, create 2 to 3 feet higher storm surges, and produce more devastating Category 4 and 5 wind events. These forces turn ordinary trees and garden features into projectiles and flood hazards.

When hurricane winds topple trees, snap branches, and hurl debris, unprepared yards become liability zones. However, wind-resistant trees with deep root systems, proper drainage solutions, and thoughtful material choices all work together to shield properties from storm damage. Let’s look at 8 strategies to help your landscape stand strong against hurricanes.

In this article:

1. Plant trees away from your home, power lines

According to a study by Andrew Koeser, UF/IFAS associate professor of environmental horticulture, many trees survive Category 1 hurricanes. However, winds up to 95 mph are powerful enough to snap large branches and topple shallow-rooted trees, which can damage nearby structures. To keep your home safe, follow these rules when planning tree placement:

Plant trees at a distance of 1 to 1.5 times their expected mature height from your home and structures.
Select species with deep, extensive root systems as they’re less likely to topple in hurricane-force winds.
Keep trees at least 20 feet from power lines, regardless of size.
Native trees often have natural adaptations to local storm conditions, making them excellent choices for hurricane-prone regions. We’ll take a closer look at this next.

My tip: If you have trees near your home or outbuildings, I recommend hiring a tree specialist to transplant or remove them. DIY tree removal is challenging and can lead to severe damage to your home. Lawn Love can connect you with a local arborist in minutes.

Large live oak tree with a wide canopy casting shade on a well-maintained lawn. — *Live Oak Tree*
Pixabay

Creating a hurricane-resistant landscape involves choosing trees that can withstand strong winds. Wind-resistant survivor trees typically have moderate growth rates, deep root systems, tapered trunks that are wider at the base, and low centers of gravity. Many of these species are native to hurricane-prone regions and have evolved over centuries to withstand regional storm patterns.

In contrast, victim trees are shallow-rooted, quick-growing, and have large, dense canopies that shift their center of gravity upward. These trees are top-heavy and prone to toppling easily.

My tip: When buying trees, choose those with straight roots, a single dominant trunk, and branches that are spaced far apart. These trees are strong and are likely to develop into survivor trees. However, remember that maintenance is still vital for survivor trees. They require regular pruning and fertilization to maintain their wind-resistant qualities.

Let’s look at some survivor and victim trees and why they work or fail.

Survivor Trees	Why They Survive	Victim Trees	Why They Fall
Live Oak	Wide root plate, flexible	Bradford Pear	Weak branch structure
Bald Cypress	Buttressed base, deep roots	Sand Pine	Shallow roots
Southern Magnolia	Wind-resistant leaves	Water Oak	Top-heavy growth pattern
Sabal Palm	Flexible trunk, no branches	Australian Pine	Brittle wood, invasive
Crape Myrtle	Multi-stemmed, low center	Laurel Oak	Decay-prone, dense canopy
Cabbage Palm	Fibrous root system	Pecan	Weak wood, large canopy
Dahoon Holly	Dense, compact growth habit	Queen Palm	Shallow roots, top-heavy
Southern Red Cedar	Deep taproot, flexible branches	Silver Maple	Fast growth, weak structure

Read more: Check out other top picks in our guide on wind-resistant trees and wind-resistant plants.

3. Group trees together

Planting trees in strategic clusters creates effective windbreaks that reduce wind velocity and distribute storm forces. Tree experts Mary L. Duryea and Eliana Kampf recommend groups of “5 or more trees, each growing within 10 feet of another tree, but not in a row.”

For maximum protection, arrange these clusters in staggered formations facing prevailing hurricane winds. While closer spacing limits individual tree size due to root competition, it creates a more unified wind-resistant system. Include a mix of species with different root depths and growth habits to enhance overall stability and resilience.

4. Trim trees

Trim overgrown, weak, damaged, and dying branches before storm season so they don’t have the opportunity to damage your home or car.

According to UF, properly pruned trees have a survival rate of 73% compared to unpruned trees. Pruning benefits trees by stimulating new growth, plus it keeps trees to a smaller size with less dense canopies.

Let’s look over what to do and what to avoid when trimming trees.

Proper hurricane pruning strategies

• DO: Thin canopy evenly (reduces wind resistance)
• DO: Remove crossing branches (prevents rubbing damage)
• DO: Maintain the tree’s natural shape (preserves structural integrity)
• DO: Prune when dormant (minimizes stress)
• DO: Cut outside branch collar (promotes healthy healing)
• DO: Balance weight distribution (prevents leaning)
• DO: Raise canopy gradually over the years (maintains stability)
• DO: Remove water sprouts/suckers (prevents weak growth)

• DON’T: “Lion tail” branches (creates top-heavy structure)
• DON’T: Top trees (weakens overall structure)
• DON’T: Remove more than 25% of foliage (stresses the tree)
• DON’T: Leave stubs (invites disease/pests)
• DON’T: Make flush cuts (damages trunk tissue)
• DON’T: Over-raise the canopy (destabilizes the tree)
• DON’T: Prune during hurricane season (weakens structure)
• DON’T: Create one-sided pruning (causes imbalance)

My tip: You can certainly trim your own trees, but it’s better to hire an arborist to do it, especially if you have palm trees. You can contact a local tree care professional on Lawn Love’s website or app.

5. Grow salt-tolerant plants

Homeowners living along the coast are presented with another challenge: excess salt in their landscapes due to salt spray and increased storm surge. Salt is devastating to plants because it prevents them from absorbing nutrients from the soil, which eventually kills them.

Luckily, some plants have adapted to higher salt levels that come with a coastal habitat. These include beach evening primrose, seaside goldenrod, and magnolias. This chart outlines the best salt-tolerant choices for your landscape.

High salt tolerance	Medium salt tolerance	Avoid in coastal areas
Shrubs and trees: • Sea grape • Sabal palm • Buttonwood • Muhly grass	Shrubs and trees: • Wax myrtle • Southern magnolia • Live oak • Crape myrtle • Sweet bay magnolia • Yaupon holly	Shrubs and trees: • Azalea • Dogwood • Red maple • Japanese maple • Star magnolia • Cucumber magnolia
Perennials and groundcover: • Beach sunflower • Railroad vine • Sea oats • Blanket flower • Beach evening primrose • Seaside goldenrod	Perennials and groundcover: • Lantana • Daylily • Agapanthus • Bottlebrush	Perennials and groundcover: • Hostas • Impatiens • Hydrangea • Gardenia

Read more about salt-tolerant plants for your coastal home in our guides:

6. Install wind-resistant fencing

Many fences are no match for hurricane-force winds, but there are a few that can stand their ground. These fences allow wind to pass through them instead of letting it build up and rip them out. Your fencing material matters, too, with metal coming out on top against wood and vinyl. Let’s take a look at wind-resistant fences and which is best for your home:

Best for direct coastal exposure: aluminum slat fencing (with 2- to 3-inch gaps), chain link fencing, and wrought iron fencing.
Suitable for second-row properties: steel picket fencing, horizontal wood slat fencing (with 2-inch minimum gaps), and modified shadow box fencing.
Avoid in hurricane-prone areas: vinyl picket fencing, solid PVC/vinyl fencing, solid wood privacy fencing, and bamboo fencing.

Additionally, use metal or concrete posts for added sturdiness. To create the most wind-resistant fence, follow these basic hurricane standards:

Widen the spaces between slats to 2 to 3 inches
Set posts a minimum of 24 inches deep in concrete footings
Space posts a maximum of 6 feet apart for greater stability
Use metal brackets and galvanized hardware
Install horizontal reinforcement on fence sections longer than 8′
Add 45-degree support braces on the corner posts
Consider removable fence sections in the highest risk areas

My tip: Want an easier option? Hire a fencing pro specializing in hurricane-resistant fences to take care of the design and installation for you instead.

7. Use soft mulches

Mulch has many benefits, but it’s prone to getting tossed around in a hurricane. Even heavier mulches, like rocks and gravel, are at the mercy of strong winds. Unfortunately, this spray of rocks can lead to broken windows, damaged siding, and bodily injuries.

You can make a simple change to minimize the damage done by flying mulch: Use softer mulches. Let’s look at a few mulches recommended for use in hurricane landscaping.

Type of mulch	Wind resistance	Resistance to floating away
Bark chips	High	Low
Pine needles	Medium	High
Rubber mulch	High	High
Shredded fallen leaves	Low to medium	Medium
Shredded hardwood	Medium	Medium

Read more:

8. Improve yard drainage

Hurricanes and heavy rains come hand in hand, resulting in standing water in your yard. Water can damage your foundation, and wooden parts of your home, like doors and porches, can swell.

To protect your property from water damage, you’ll want to have multiple drainage paths for water to flow to. Invest in preventative drainage measures or have drainage solutions built into your yard to manage stormwater runoff.

Preventative drainage measures	Drainage solutions
• 5% yard slope (the ground 10 feet away from your foundation should be 6 inches lower) • 3% to 5% slope on all hardscaped surfaces • Swales (shallow ditches) • Permeable paving for patios and walkways • Lawn aeration for compacted soil	• French drains along problem boundaries • Rain gardens • Rain chains • Catch basins • Dry wells • Rainwater catchment systems, like rain barrels and underground cisterns

Additionally, make sure that your existing storm drains are free of debris, like leaves, branches, pine needles, and grass clippings, so water can freely flow into them. You should also check your gutters and downspouts for blockages and damage. Signs of clogged gutters include sagging, spilling water, and stained siding.

Need hurricane-resistant landscaping ideas specific to your region? Read our guides below or search Lawn Love’s blog for hurricane landscaping guides for your area.

Connect with a professional to care for your yard

Some hurricane-resistant landscaping ideas require skills that the average homeowner typically doesn’t have, like trimming and removing trees. That’s where Lawn Love’s local professionals come in. They’re easily reachable with a few clicks, and they can handle all the dirty work while you sit back and relax.

Sources:

“Atlantic Hurricanes and Climate Change.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Study: Most trees survive winds from hurricanes as strong as Category 1; experts still urge caution.” By Brad Buck, senior public relations specialist. University of Florida IFAS.
“Choosing trees for hurricane resistance.” By Bennett B. Joffrion, Jr., horticulture agent. Louisiana State University Extension.
“The Impact of Visual Defects and Neighboring Trees on Wind-Related Tree Failures.” By Michael F. Nelson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Shawn M. Landry, and Brian Kane. MDPI.
“Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes.” By Mary L. Duryea, emeritus professor, and Eliana Kampf, academic program specialist. University of Florida IFAS.
“How to Make Trees Storm Resistant.” Edited by James R. Fazio. Originally by the Arbor Day Foundation, hosted on the official website of the State of Oregon.
“Prepare lawns, landscapes, gardens for hurricane season.” By Heather Kirk-Ballard, assistant professor. Louisiana State University Extension.

Main Image Credit: coachwood / Adobe Stock Free / License

Janine Caayao

Janine Caayao has always been fascinated with growing plants, from fruits and veggies to bonsai trees and orchids. Now, she’s interested in urban gardening with her family. She loves finding new tips and tricks to keep their plants thriving.

Posts by Janine Caayao