Hurricane-tolerant trees to consider

What types of trees weather hurricanes and heavy storms the best?

 Arborist Mike Anderson, owner of Andy’s Arboriculture in Virginia Beach, said black gum trees fit the bill.

The bald cypress, beech, Chinese pistache, ginko, littleleaf linden and live oak also get high marks for resisting storm damage, said

Bonnie Appleton , a Virginia Tech horticulture professor based in Virginia Beach.

Bradford pear, Leyland cypress, pine, red maple, river birch and silver maple are prone to storm damage, she said.

How do you help trees survive storms? Keep them in good health, Anderson said. A certified arborist can assess and prune them as needed.

Arborists charge about $75 to $125 for an assessment, he said. Trimming can cost $500 or more.

Sound expensive? Anderson reminds that trees hold soil, produce shade, reduce energy bills, filter pollutants and return oxygen. They also add beauty.

j“They’re very valuable,’’ he said.