04/04/2012
In the Storm’s Wake
After a major storm, a community is instantly changed. Buildings may be damaged or destroyed, power lines down, and trees broken and torn. In the wake of this loss, neighborhoods and entire cities may experience a sense of devastation they have never known before.
“The experiences of many cities whose trees have suffered severe storm damage show us that the situation may not
be as bad as it first appears,” says John Rosenow, president
of The Arbor Day Foundation, an organization that helps people plant and care for trees. “Trees are amazingly resilient and many recover with proper care and time. Despite the urge to do something immediately, people should try to be
patient. As long as there isn’t an immediate physical risk from a damaged tree, my advice is simple: if you’re unsure about its condition, keep the tree for now.” Any damaged tree that is kept needs to be monitored for signs
of weakness. You also should not assume that fertilizer will improve the tree’s situation. Again, the best advice is to be patient and see how the tree responds.
“Of course, safety is the first major concern,” Rosenow says. “Everyone should stay away from downed power lines and beware of broken tree limbs that may be ready to fall. Never use pruning equipment near utility lines.” Downed utility lines should be reported to utility companies or 911 operators.
He adds that citizens’ patience also allows city officials time to organize and respond properly to the situation. After a major storm, city officials, utility workers and private tree care firms must first focus on dealing with hazards to life and property. After that, a major task is removal of debris from the storm, including damaged branches and sometimes entire trees.
Remember, responsibility for streetside trees varies from city to city. The most complete information about street trees in your community, such as publicly owned trees and the city’s responsibilities, can be obtained from your city forester or other appropriate city agencies.