Have you noticed trees or plants around the Apalachicola watershed blooming in winter, when they typically bloom in spring? During our visual river surveys, we’ve noticed this on various stretches of the river, including the Chipola and Dead Lakes. Hurricane Michael plowed through North Florida damaging and destroying seemingly innumerable trees and plant species. Now, we are seeing tupelo, cypress, and other plants and trees blooming around the watershed. Hurricane related stress is a likely factor, as explained by several Florida biologists, including Michael Hill, retired FWC biologist.
Also, according to an article published by the NC State Extension Office, “storm damage including broken limbs, lost leaves, and flooded roots can lead to stress which changes the plant hormone levels causing plants to bloom and produce leaves out of season. Badly damaged plants sometimes put their energy into reproduction and creating a new generation before they die.”
Matthew Godwin of Wewahitchka shared photos of Nyssa ogeche tree (common name, white tupelo) photos from Dead Lakes area. He also reported hickory nut, pecan and cypress blooming. Some related articles and photos follow.
Hurricane Michael Causes Panhandle Plants to Bloom Out of Season
Why Are Plants Blooming Now After the Storm?
Tree Physiology from Oxford Academic
Epicormic Sprouting in Hardwoods
Destructive impacts of Category 4 Hurricane Michael on the forests of northwest Florida
“The stark pattern of greatest damage in red and orange consists of a 50 km-wide swath that stretches from near the track of the hurricane’s eye to the Apalachicola River which likely had reduced greenness from both wind damage and flooding.”
A map of the tree canopy disturbance from Hurricane Michael. Source: https://forwarn.forestthreats.org/highlights/1052
Blog written by Georgia Ackerman, Riverkeeper and Executive Director