By: Shelby McCullough| Published: December 22, 2025
At McCullough Tree Service, we tackled a project involving a scenario that is very common for Florida homeowners: removing two huge, declining Laurel Oaks.
On this particular job, precision was key. We had our crane operator positioning the boom and our climber picking the final pieces right next to the house. It was a delicate operation, but necessary to protect the home.
The Perfect Storm for Tree Failure
You might wonder why we see so many of these specific trees failing during the rainy season.
We receive a lot of calls about fallen limbs, split trunks, and toppled trees when the afternoon thunderstorms roll in. It isn’t just the wind that does the damage; it is a combination of factors that push these “old guys” past their limit.
- Saturated Ground: Heavy rains soak the soil, loosening the root system’s hold on the earth.
- Water Weight: The rain adds significant weight to the leaves and canopy.
- Wind Pressure: When you add thunderstorm winds to a heavy canopy and loose soil, the stress becomes too much.
This combination often causes older Laurel Oaks to split apart or fall over entirely, making hazardous tree removal necessary before they cause damage.
What Should You Do About Your Trees?
If you have large Laurel Oaks around your house, it can be hard to know the right move. You might be asking yourself: Do they need to be trimmed? Do they need to be removed? Can they be treated and saved?
The answer isn’t always obvious to the untrained eye.
Get a Professional Recommendation
If you aren’t sure what to do, don’t guess—reach out to a professional tree service.
We have experts on staff who can come out to your property and inspect your trees. We will give you an honest recommendation on whether your trees can be cleaned up and preserved or if they pose a risk and need to be removed.
Let us help you get on the right track before the next storm hits. Call us today at 407-734-5854 or contact us online to schedule your assessment.
