Recovery from hurricanes and the long-term impacts on perennial tropical fruit crops in South Florida

Abstract

Recovery of tropical fruit crops from hurricane damage varies among species. Avocado, carambola, and guava recovered canopy and fruit production rapidly after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, while mango and atemoya did not appear to recover for 18 to 36 months. Recovery time of lychee, longan, mamey sapote, and 'Tahiti' lime appeared to be intermediate. Previous and recent observations after hurricanes demonstrated differences in tolerance and recovery among fruit crops based on tree size and age, propagation method (budded vs. air layering), and tolerance of exposed wood to high sunlight after the storm. Based upon past and recent observations, recommendations to prepare for and recover from hurricanes for tropical fruit crops have been made (Crane et al., 1994b). These include selection of wind-protected sites, preplant trenching of the soil to facilitate root extension, use of grafted or budded trees of some species (i.e., 'Tahiti' lime), and a regular tree size control program to reduce wind resistance. Posthurricane practices include protecting trunks and limbs from exposure to direct sunlight as quickly as possible, thinning out of the canopy of root damaged trees to reduce the transpirational load as quickly as possible, and resetting of some species but not others, reestablishment of the irrigation system as quickly as possible, good weed and vine control, use of mulch to retain soil moisture, and resumption of modified fertilizer applications.