Repairing Storm Damaged TreesRepairing Storm Damaged TreesBy: Edward F. Gilman and Traci Jo Partin, Univ. of Florida

Edited by Vincent J. Mannino, County Extension Director

Fort Bend County, Texas

WHAT IF ??

Signs of a Hazardous Tree• 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 -- has there been clearing of other

trees nearby• 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

– http://www.asca-consultants.org

Signs of a Hazardous Tree• Problem species

– older laurel and water oaks – All pines except Japanese Black – Chinaberry– sweet gum– sycamore– Chinese tallow – mimosa– Southern red cedar– Chinese elm trees. – Maples– ash

Restoring Trees After a Hurricane

How long does restoration take?

A tree requires 2-5 years or more to restore depending on various factors:

• 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!

Restoration

1. Before the hurricane have the facts and tools ready

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

+ fuel & extra chain

+ file

Assess damage first before deciding to restore

__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 before deciding to restore

__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 due to wind?

__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 ?

Worth saving ?

Which is worth saving?

Response PlanAfter the hurricane

Step 1: Remove hazards

Step 2: Stake leaning trees where/if possible

Step 3: Clean canopies of damaged trees

After the hurricane: Step 1Remove all hazards:

- Fallen tree or branches 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!

Immediately following storm: Step 2Stake leaning trees when possible:

• Small trees (approximately 4 inches trunk diameter or less)

&• Recently planted trees

Do not let the roots dry out! Water and cover with tarp or compost until tree can be re-

planted.

How to Stand a Tree Up1. 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 Up8. 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

How to Stand a Tree Up

How Big? = How much can you afford?

Immediately following storm: Step 3

Clean canopies of damaged trees:

Remove broken, hanging stems first so that branches do not fall and cause injury.

Canopy Cleaning

Make clean cuts on stubs, breaks, and tears.

Reduce back to lateral branch if one is present.

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

Response PlanImmediately following stormStep 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

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

Sproutsemerging

Over time, sprouts develop woody stems 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 someLeave 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.

• AgeEstimate by comparing the trunk diameter to the size the species reaches at full maturity.

• SpeciesIs the species prone to decay? Have poor growth habit?

• Amount of damageWhat percentage of the canopy is damaged?

Weak vs. Strong

Recap

Recap - Amount of damage

50% canopy damage

► Come back after two years

30% canopy damage

► Come back after one year

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

Young Trees

Storm breaks off top

Storm breaks off top

Before After

8 months later

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 before palms appear normal with a full canopy.

Pines

• 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.

Gone…

…with the wind!

Beware of price gouging• 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.

Financial recovery - before

• 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– Contract a certified arborist who has

experience appraising trees for an estimated dollar value. http://www.asca-consultants.org

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.

To learn about preventive pruning…

Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program:

http://treesandhurricanes.ifas.ufl.edu

Eden Website’s Disaster Recovery Resources:

http://texashelp.tamu.edu/001a-hot-topics/index.php

QUESTIONS ??