When a Hurricane like Ike blows through your neighborhood and 100 mile an hour winds destroy your prized trees, maybe you loose several tall pines or have a prized oak that gets uplifted. The loss of large trees, storm debris and the damage they do are horrific but as the sky clears there are possibilities to make the new landscape design better than before.

Trees Damage
The first thing after a storm rips through a property is to assess the yard for tree damage. Trees may need special attention to properly prune the canopy shape that may have been damaged or compromised. Landscape lighting fixtures may need to be repaired or relocated to new limbs. Trees that have been uplifted may have root damage and should be seen by a certified tree professional to assess damage and future care, protection and deep root feeding.

Hardscape Damage
These include decks, patios and walkways. Damage here is usually done by fallen trees, uplifted roots, or drainage and water damage. Here it is important to assess whether or not repair can be done to the existing damaged area, if it can be replaced (assuming a match in material is still available) or if new materials that either contrast or compliment the old should be integrated.

Re-landscaping from shade to sun
With tree canopies opened up, trees completely down or existing trees properly pruned to even out the canopies and prevent future storm damage, you may find your garden has more sun than shade. In terms of the landscape design, it would be important to determine which landscape plantings can tolerate more sun and keep those as an overall part of the existing design and replace those plantings that were made for heavy shade. In this way you can keep the overall landscape design and only change the most intolerant plantings to the new sun conditions.

Consulting with a landscape professional
After the devastation of a large hurricane you may want the advice of someone who understands landscape design and installation so you have a coordinated and priority approach to repairs. An experienced landscaper , landscape architect or garden designer will know what contract services to call first, second and third. Also, someone who is in the landscape design and landscape business has strong relationships with subcontractors which can influence the scheduling priority of your work. In addition if more than one service is required, they will know who is reliable and the scheduling involved. A full service landscape design and construction consultant will know:
        • Tree arborist
        • Large tree removal services
        • Tree stump grinding services
        • Irrigation repairs
        • Drainage repairs
        • Landscape lighting and electrical work
        • Concrete, brick, stone and other hardscape repair
        • Design services to address repairs

New Landscape Design and Planting
If you have several trees that have fallen down and pathways and walks have lifted up from tree roots, it may make much more sense to start over again. Now is a time to think about:
       • Now that I have sun in my backyard, how do I want the new landscape design to utilize this space? Lawn, entertainment, seasonal color.
       • Do I want to create a better relationship with the garden design and the home
       • What types of plants can I now enjoy with the new sun, are there more opportunities?

Since 1987, Exterior Worlds has been successfully installing landscape projects in the Memorial, Piney Point Village, Bunker Hill Village, Hunter Creek Village, Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University and the greater Houston area. Call Exterior Worlds at 713-827-2255 to request an estimate.