Residents of Charlotte County and the barrier islands are observing that trees and plants are beginning to turn brown more than a week after Hurricane Milton struck Southwest Florida with high winds and a severe storm surge.
In a state not known for the changing hues of fall foliage, people from all around the region have shared their thoughts via social media with images.
“They turned brown quick,” one resident stated. Another continued that, “They look like they’re just drying up.”
Ralph Mitchell, Charlotte County extension director and local horticulturist, clarified that the damage was probably brought on by the hurricane’s strong winds.
“Milton had high-velocity winds, and what you’re seeing primarily is a leaf scorch from the high winds, where the moisture is actually blown out of the leaf, causing that desiccation,” Mitchell stated. “Now, in some places, there may be aerosolized salt and particulate matter that did some abrasion. But for the most part, if you look around, you see the high wind velocity damage,” he added.
Mitchell reminds locals that even though the damage can seem serious, the brown hue does not always indicate that the plants are dying. Many will probably get better with time.
“The good news is, although it looks horrendous—just like Ian, if you remember, it blew all the leaves off—but within weeks or a month or so, it started all coming back,” Mitchell stated. “We had almost like a weird early spring. The same’s going to happen to this,” he continued.
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In the meanwhile, Mitchell advises thinking about salt-tolerant species for coastal regions and washing the soil with fresh water if salt damage is evident.
Mitchell is hopeful that the browning plants that line the streets will soon recover.
“I think this is not a good look right now, but be encouraged—we will have a greener future,” he stated.
