Download - Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program
Urban Forest Hurricane Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery ProgramRecovery Program
http://treesandhurricanes.ifas.ufl.edu
Restoring trees after a hurricane
Edward F. Gilman and Traci Jo Partin.
Know when to restore…
Assess damage first before deciding to restore.
To learn about which trees can be restored and which should be removed, refer to our website:
http://treesandhurricanes.ifas.ufl.edu
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 maintenance
• Species - decay resistant trees will recover better
• Amount of damage - more damage done = more time and visits
Restoration pruning
1. After the hurricane: Develop a response plan
2. A few years later: Implement a multi-year
restoration pruning program
Response PlanImmediately following stormStep 1: Remove 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
Immediately following storm: Step 1Remove 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!
Immediately following storm: Step 2Stake fallen/leaning trees when possible:
• Small trees (approximately 4 inches trunk diameter or less) OR• Recently planted
Do not let the roots dry out! Water and cover with tarp until tree can be re-planted.
How to Stand a Tree Up1. Keep roots moist.
2. Excavate the hole to accommodate roots.
3. Cut jagged or torn roots with sharp tools, making clean cuts.
4. Pull tree up and backfill with site soil.
Take measures to protect the trunk.
Do not plant deep.
How to Stand a Tree Up5. 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.
6. Stake the tree. Adjust stakes and remove when tree is stable.
Immediately following storm: Step 3
Clean canopies of damaged trees:
Remove broken, hanging stems first so that branches do not fall and cause injury.
lateral
lateral
Canopy Cleaning
Make clean cuts on stubs, breaks, and tears.
Reduce back to lateral branch if one is present.
Heading cuts are used when no laterals are nearby
Heading cut
Example of tree after canopy cleaning
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.
Canopy cleaning on palms• Remove broken, hanging, or
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. Establish fertilization program to correct nutrient deficiencies
Palm cleaning
Leave live fronds
Remove dead fronds
Leave green, bent fronds
Remove broken fronds that are smothering the bud
• Remove dead and hanging fronds
• Leave yellowing fronds attached
• Overpruning leads to
stress and decline
Response PlanImmediately following stormStep 1: Remove potential hazardsStep 2: Stake fallen trees where possibleStep 3: Clean canopies of damaged trees
Before the next visit• Allow trees to regenerate energy reserves• Develop a tree management program in the
community
Allow time for sprouting so that trees can regenerate energy reserves.
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.
Pines• Pines do not sprout.
When all of the needles are brown, the tree will not recover.
• Remove
Palms• 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.
Develop a tree management program
• Work with homeowners and community planners to create a tree management program that allows routine arborist visits.
• Regular pruning will build strong tree structure and minimize failure in future storms.
Restoration outline
1. After the hurricane: Develop a response plan
2. A few years later: Implement a multi-year
restoration pruning program
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?
Pruning program: large maturing trees
Time needed
to restore:
Young (under 10” dbh*)
Medium-aged (10-20” dbh)
Mature (over 20” dbh)
• 2 – 4 yrs. • about three visits
• 3 – 5 yrs.• three to five visits
• 5 + yrs.• five or more visits
* dbh – diameter at breast height** These measurements are approximations to help determine age, but vary with species and growth rate.
Pruning program: small, ornamental trees
Time needed
to restore:
Young (under 5” dbh)
Medium-aged (5-10” dbh)
Mature (over 10” dbh)
• 2 – 3 yrs. • about two visits
• 3 – 4 yrs.• about three visits
• 4 + yrs.• four or more visits
* dbh – diameter at breast height** These measurements are approximations to help determine age, but vary with species and growth rate.
Species: trees that resist decay make better candidates for restoration
Trees that resist decay Trees prone to decay
Live oakMahogany
Gumbo-limbo Tamarind
Laurel oakRoyal poinciana
FicusOrchid tree
Good compartmentalizer
Poor compartmentalizer
Species: trees with good structure will
require less pruning attention Trees with good structure Trees with poor structure
BaldcypressSweetgum
Southern magnoliaLive oak
MahoganyRed maple
PecanLaurel oak
Weak vs. Strong
Amount of damage
50% canopy damage
► Come back after two years
30% canopy damage
► Come back after one year
Amount of damageMore than 50% canopy loss: Monitor carefully over two year period and decide whether tree is recovering or declining.
Restoration pruning programFirst visit (1 - 2 years after storm or later)
Sprout management“reduce some, remove some, leave some”
Second, third visits (space visits 1 year apart)Establish a new leader at the ends of broken stems through continued sprout management
Later visits (~ 4 years after storm)Preventive pruning to reduce and remove codominant stems
Sproutsemerging
Over time, sprouts develop woody stems and can grow into strong lateral branches
…but they need your help!
Reduce some- Shorten 1/3 of the sprouts. They will continue to store energy, but will eventually be removed.
Remove some- Remove 1/3 of the sprouts to allow space for the most vigorous ones to grow.
Leave some- These will develop into the new branches.
Sprout management
Reduce someRemove someLeave some
Once growth slows a bit…
Before
After
After first restoration
pruning
Restoration pruning programFirst visit (1 - 2 years after storm or later)
Sprout management“reduce some, remove some, leave some”
Second, third visits (space visits 1 year apart)Establish a new leader at the ends of broken stems through continued sprout management
Later visits (~ 4 years after storm)Preventive pruning to reduce and remove codominant stems
Establishing new leaders1. During canopy cleaning, make
pruning cut on limb
2. Let branches sprout
3. After sprout growth slows, reduce some, remove some, leave some
4. Select sprout to be the new leader.
- Look for lateral branches and collar
The swelling at the base of the branch is called a collar.
Presence of a collar indicates a strong attachment.
Establishing new leaders
• New leaders can seal over damaged tips on broken stems 4 inches or less in diameter
• Larger stems (2 - 4 inches) = more time and sprout management
Storm breaks off top
Storm breaks off top
Reduce back to lateral Tie to stake
Before After
8 months later
8 months later
Close-up
Begin restoration
Beforepruning
Afterpruning
Begin restoration
Beforepruning
Afterpruning
Notice that there are two sprouts at the same point.
One will be removed later so the other can dominate.
Top two branches removed with one cut
One year after initial damage
Restoration pruning programFirst visit (1 - 2 years after storm or later)
Sprout management“reduce some, remove some, leave some”
Second, third visits (space visits 1 year apart)Establish a new leader at the ends of broken stems through continued sprout management
Later visits (~ 4 years after storm)Preventive pruning to reduce and remove codominant stems
To learn about preventive pruning…
Visit Ed Gilman’s website:
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody
Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Programhttp://treesandhurricanes.ifas.ufl.edu