1. City of New Smyrna Beach: Problem 1
Live Oaks
Aubrey Schemel
Atlantic High School

2. The problem
Live oaks are key to the charm of New Smyrna and often property value. Live oaks tend to be vulnerable to the high winds of hurricanes. New Smyrna’s goal is to find long-term or other care in which will help make the live oaks less vulnerable to these winds.

3. Hurricane Season Live Oak’s Strength Property Value 1851-2017
166 years
Average direct hits among other states: 19
Florida: 117
40% US hurricanes strike Florida
Live oaks tend to fail at 130 mph winds and above
Category 4 and 5
Known for strength
About 90% survival rate in hurricane winds
Heavy rainfall causes less friction between roots and soil
May lead to weakened roots causing uprooting in hurricanes
May live to be 100 years or older
Up to $30,000 in property value
May act as a windbreak to your home
Can grow up to 60 feet tall
Considered evergreens

4. Where oaks live Florida Current Care
Where They Live
Florida
Current Care
Americas, Asia, Europe, and North Africa
Widespread
Different species acclimated to different climates
Cool climates to tropical
Quercus virginiana is known as the southern live oak
Common in Florida
Frequent direct hurricane hits
Average annual precipitation: about 59 inches
Average high temperature: degrees F
Average low temperature: degrees F
Tree removal requires a permit
Property owners determine the care of their trees
City trees are generally pruned once a year
Any endangerment to people or public property enables immediate removal (city trees)

5. The specificity of long-term care and maintenance of a live oak largely determines its survival rate against hurricane winds.
SOLUTION
Care Is Key

6. General Care Plant with topsoil
Young trees do not require regular trimming
All live oaks require regular irrigation
Granular fertilizer 3 times a year
Spring, summer, and autumn

7. The Base(ics) Requires a deep water table
High water tables cause less friction between roots and soil
Less stability
No extra material closely surrounding their base
Ex: mulch, flowers, etc.
Mulch keeps bark moist
Weakens base
Insects and bacteria
Rooting space
Accommodate for sizing

8. Exposed Flare Covered flares Root flares
Emerging support roots
Should be partially above soil line
Damaged or underdeveloped flares create instability
Hazardous
Increases likeliness of being uprooted
Covered flares
Urban tree’s flares are commonly covered
Shorter life span
Premature defoliation
Delayed leaf set
Poor shoot elongation
Suffocate feeder roots
Cause stress
Girdling roots are not visible

9. Root Flare vs Covered

10. Damage Avoidance Grouping creates wind barriers between trees
Trees growing in groups (of 5 or more) as opposed to individually have a higher survival rate
Growing within 10 feet of one-another not side-by-side
Structural pruning
Reduces loose debris
Removal of dead/unhealthy trees
Endanger lives and property
Requires a permit
Dir. of Engineering

11. Care and Damage Avoidance
Live oaks should be thoroughly cared for from their base to their branches. As many damage avoidance methods possible should be put in place as these pertain to placement and specific maintenance.
Synopsis
Care and Damage Avoidance

12. Citations
Leonard, Daniel J. “Common Live Oak Problems and Solutions.” Gardening in the Panhandle, University of Florida, 18 July 2016, nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2016/07/26/common-live-oak-problems-and-solutions/.
Data, US Climate. “Temperature - Precipitation - Sunshine - Snowfall.” Climate New Smyrna Beach - Florida and Weather Averages New Smyrna Beach, US Climate Data, 2017,
David F. Zierden, Lydia Stefanova Daniel J. Brouillette. “Climate Summary for Florida - April 2017.” Climate Summary for Florida - April Florida Climate Center, The Florida State University, 2017, climatecenter.fsu.edu/products-services/summaries/climate-summary-for-florida-April-2017.
Tree service, Volusia County New Smyrna. “Tree Pruning in New Smyrna Beach, FL.” New Smyrna Tree Service, New Smyrna Tree Service, 2017,
Data, US Climate. “Temperature - Precipitation - Sunshine - Snowfall.” Climate Florida - Temperature, Rainfall and Average, US Climate Data, 2017,
Griggs, Brandon. “No Other State Gets Hit by Hurricanes as Often as Florida.” CNN, Cable News Network, 11 Sept. 2017,
Services, Preservation Tree. “C'mon, Show Us Your Flare! Why Tree Root Flares Should Be Exposed. - Blog.” Preservation Tree Services - Dallas, TX, Preservation Tree Services, 9 July 2015, preservationtree.com/blog/cmon-show-us-your-flare-why-tree-root-flares-should-be-exposed.
Center, National Hurricane. “Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.” Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, National Hurricane Center, 0ADAD,
University, Wheeling Jesuit. “How Hurricanes Form.” Hurricane Alert, Wheeling Jesuit University, 2017,
Florida, Volusia County. “Trees.” Volusia County, Volusia County Florida, 0ADAD,
Plant Guide, South Florida. “Live Oak Tree.” Guide to Florida Landscape Plants for the Southern Half of the Sunshine State, South Florida Plant Guide, 2017,