Restoring Trees After a Hurricane

WHAT IF ??

Could Happen HERE!

 Dead limbs  Thinning crown and slowing vigor  Forked trunks and sharp angles  Fungus growth on/at the base of the trunk or large limbs  Wounds or cracks  Cankers  Sudden leaning  Construction activity nearby in the last five to 10 years  History of failure such as previous limb drop  Adjacent trees removed,damage to the root system  Signs and degree of decay Signs of a Hazardous Tree

Determining and detecting the degree of decay requires: ◉ Visual inspection or ◉ Utilize the services of a professional arborist with a resistograph ◉ consultants.org consultants.org

 Problem species ◉ water oaks ◉ All pines except Japanese Black ◉ Chinaberry ◉ sweet gum ◉ sycamore ◉ Chinese tallow ◉ mimosa ◉ Pecans ◉ Chinese elm trees. ◉ Maples ◉ ash Signs of a Hazardous Tree

A tree requires 2-5 years or more to restore depending on various factors: How long does restoration take? Size of tree - smaller trees take less time to recover Age - mature trees will require more time and care Species - pest resistant trees will recover better Amount of damage - more damage = more time Speed of growth - faster growth = faster heal!

1. Before the hurricane have the facts and tools read 2.After the hurricane: Decide if restoration is necessary and develop a response plan 3.And, for the next few years: Implement a multi-year corrective pruning and pest control program How long does restoration take?

+ fuel & extra chain + file

….before deciding to restore. Ask: Other than the storm damage, is the tree basically healthy and vigorous? Are major limbs broken? Has the leader been lost? Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown (branches and leaves) still intact? How large are the wounds? Assess damage first…

Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure? Is the tree of a desirable species for its location? Is the tree leaning? How long will it take? Is the tree worth saving? Can this be done safely? What will it cost? Can this be done without help ? Assess damage first…

Worth saving ?

Which is worth saving?

After the hurricane Step 1: Remove hazards Step 2: Stake leaning trees where possible Step 3: Clean canopies of damaged trees Response Plan

After the hurricane: Step 1 Remove all hazards: Fallen tree or branch near power lines Broken, cracked, and hanging limbs located near property Large, fallen trees blocking traffic areas DANGEROUS! Only experienced workers should handle these situations!

Stake fallen/leaning trees when possible: Small trees (approximately 4” trunk diameter or less) Recently planted trees Immediately following storm: Step 2 Do not let the roots dry out! Water and cover with tarp or compost until tree can be re- planted.

1. Keep roots moist. 2. Excavate the hole to re- accommodate roots. 3. Cut jagged or torn roots with sharp tools, making clean cuts. 4. Take measures to protect the trunk. 5. Pull tree up and backfill with site soil. 6. Do not replant too deep. 7. Mulch How to Stand a Tree Up

8.Water as if the tree were recently planted. Irrigate 3x a week with 3 gallons/inch trunk diameter. There is no need to fertilize at this time, but a root activator is OK. 9.Stake the tree. Adjust stakes and remove when tree is stable, (2-3 years). 10.When it is time - remove the stakes A – poor B – good C – best girdling Immediately following storm: Step 2

How to Stand a Tree Up How Big? = How much can you afford?

Clean canopies of damaged trees: Remove broken, hanging stems first so that branches do not fall and cause injury. Immediately following a storm: Step 3 After a Storm

Make clean cuts on stubs, breaks, and tears. Reduce back to lateral branch if one is present. Canopy Cleaning After a Storm

Cutting Larger Limbs The swelling at the base of the branch is called a collar. Presence of a collar indicates a strong attachment.

cut

Do not top your trees! Topping severely reduces the entire canopy of a tree, cutting large limbs back to stubs. This practice is very harmful to the health of the tree. But, healthy trees can recover! – in time

Immediately following storm Step 1: Remove potential hazards Step 2: Stake fallen trees where possible Step 3: Clean canopies of damaged trees Before the next visit  Allow trees to regenerate energy reserves  Develop a tree management program in the community Response Plan

How long? Deciduous and broadleaf evergreen trees:  Trees should begin sprouting by spring of the year following the hurricane (April for hardiness zones 9-11)  Wait until sprout growth slows before next pruning visit  Use small amount of fertilizer – based on soil tests

Sprouts emerging

Over time, sprouts develop and can grow into strong lateral branches… …but they need your help!

Remove some - Remove 1/3 of the sprouts to allow space for the most vigorous ones to grow. Reduce some - Shorten 1/3 of the sprouts. They will continue to store energy, but will eventually be removed. Leave some - These will develop into the new branches.

Remove some Reduce some Leave some Once growth slows a bit…

Before After

After first restoration pruning

Recap - Factors that affect restoration  Size of tree - Large maturing shade tree vs. small, ornamental tree.  Age - Estimate by comparing the trunk diameter to the size the species reaches at full maturity.  Species - Is the species prone to decay? Have poor growth habit?  Amount of damage - What percentage of the canopy is damaged?

Weak vs. Strong

Recap - Amount of damage 30% canopy damage ► Come back after one year 50% canopy damage ► Come back after two years

Recap - Amount of damage More than 50% canopy loss: Monitor carefully over two year period and decide whether tree is recovering or declining.

Young Trees

Storm breaks off top

After 3 months

After 9 months

8 months later Close-up stake

One year after initial damage

Palms: Canopy cleaning on palms  Remove broken and dead fronds that could fall and hit a target  Leave bent green fronds attached to palm until new fronds emerge fully  Leave fronds that are yellowing or have brown tips. Use a root- stimulator or root-activator according to label directions.

Palm cleaning Leave live fronds Remove dead fronds

Leave green, bent fronds

Remove broken fronds that are smothering the bud

 Allow at least 6 months after the storm for palms to put out new growth.  Approximately 1 to 2 years palms will appear normal with a full canopy.

 Pines do not re-sprout when all of the needles are brown, the tree will not recover.  Broke pine trunks do not re-generate well. Pines

Gone…… …with the wind!

 Less credible tree services will take advantage of storm victims  Good work by qualified professionals is not cheap!  Poor work, no matter the price paid, can cost you a great deal  A reasonable price for professional tree work ranges from $75-$125 per worker per hour  price includes liability and workman’s compensation insurance  price includes bucket trucks and standard equipment  does not include heavier specialty equipment that may be needed such as cranes, loaders, etc., or hardware that may be installed in the tree Beware of price gouging

Be aware that tree losses to your landscape, whether large or small, may be deductible from your taxes. Two steps must be taken to be able to claim this deduction: ◉ Document the tree damage/loss with photos/video. (Before photos are priceless!) ◉ Contract a certified arborist who has experience appraising trees for an estimated dollar value. ◉ Financial recovery - before

Financial recovery - after ◉ After a loss occurs consult the services of a tax professional. Even if you don’t have insurance, you may be entitled to some financial relief by taking advantage of a provision of the tax code which allows you to deduct casualty losses from your income tax ◉ And, if you do have insurance – proceed with your claim.

Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program: Eden Website’s Disaster Recovery Resources: To learn about preventive pruning…

 Tree Care Kit: Damage Prevention & Disaster Recovery Tree Care Kit: Damage Prevention & Disaster Recovery  Salvaging Timber: Frequently Asked Questions (ER-036) Salvaging Timber: Frequently Asked Questions  Salvaging Timber: Landowner Do's and Don'ts (ER-037) Salvaging Timber: Landowner Do's and Don'ts  Salvaging Timber: What Should I do with my damaged timber (ER-041) Salvaging Timber: What Should I do with my damaged timber  Selecting a Consulting Forester (ER-038) Selecting a Consulting Forester  Can These Trees be Saved? (ER-039) ( En Español ) Can These Trees be Saved?En Español  Dealing with Storm Damaged Trees (ER-040) ( En Español ) Dealing with Storm Damaged Trees En Español Other:  Wind Wood Utilization Mississippi State University Wind Wood Utilization Tree Removal and Recovery AgriLife pubs include:

QUESTIONS ??