Impact of hurricanes on peach and pecan orchards in the southeastern United States

Hurricane and tropical storm damage to the tree fruit and nut industry in the Carolinas and Georgia over the past decade has been significant. Generally, hurricanes are thought to be more of a problem to coastal areas where few tree fruit are grown. However, recent hurricanes with landfalls on the southeastern coast of the United States have reached production areas up to 320-400 km inland, with wind speeds from 128-176 km/h, often preceded by torrential rainfall (i.e., 20-30 cm). These hurricane-associated winds and rains have had a large negative impact on crops such as peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and pecans [Carya illinoinensis (F.A. Wagenheim) K. Koch]. The primary problems with hurricanes and tropical storms are the combined effects of excessive rain, followed by high winds. Winds also come from both the front and back of a hurricane, beginning in the southeastern United States with northeastern winds from the storm's counterclockwise circulation, and ending with southwestern winds. These winds break limbs and remove leaves and fruit from fruit and nut trees. In addition, this change of wind direction by 180 degrees (i.e., twisting effect) seriously damages the root system of trees, and may uproot the whole tree. Flooding further stresses the affected trees. In addition, in coastal area; tidal surges and salt spray can also damage trees. Recent reports have described past hurricane damage, pest outbreaks, pre- and poststorm cultural practices, and recommendations for future hurricanes for subtropical tree fruitcrops (Crane et al.. 1994) and southeastern forests (Barry et al.. 1993). This paper will describe hurricane and tropical storm damage to peach and pecan trees based upon both short- and long-term observations in the field, and will review cultural practices that have helped amend past orchard damage and may potentially minimize damage from future storms.