Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program

1. Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program http://treesandhurricanes.ifas.ufl.edu

2. Restoring trees after a hurricane Edward F. Gilman and Traci Jo Partin.

3. 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

4. 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

5. Restoration pruning • After the hurricane: Develop a response plan • A few years later: Implement a multi-year restoration pruning program

6. Response Plan Immediately following storm Step 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

7. Immediately following storm: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!

8. Immediately following storm:Step 2 Stake 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.

9. How to Stand a Tree Up 1. 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.

10. How to Stand a Tree Up • 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.

11. 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

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

13. Heading cuts are used when no laterals are nearby Heading cut

14. Example of tree after canopy cleaning

15. 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.

16. Canopy cleaning on palms • Removebroken, hanging, or dead fronds that could fall and hit a target • Leavebent 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

17. Palm cleaning Leave live fronds Remove dead fronds

18. Leave green, bent fronds

19. Remove broken fronds that are smothering the bud

21. Response Plan 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

22. Allow time for sprouting so that trees can regenerate energy reserves.

23. 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.

24. Pines • Pines do not sprout. When all of the needles are brown, the tree will not recover. • Remove

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Restoration outline • After the hurricane: Develop a response plan • A few years later: Implement a multi-year restoration pruning program

28. Size of treeLarge 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? Factors that affect restoration

29. Pruning program: large maturing trees * dbh – diameter at breast height** These measurements are approximations to help determine age, but vary with species and growth rate.

30. Pruning program: small, ornamental trees * dbh – diameter at breast height** These measurements are approximations to help determine age, but vary with species and growth rate.

31. Species: trees that resist decay make better candidates for restoration

32. Good compartmentalizer

33. Poor compartmentalizer

34. Species: trees with good structure will require less pruning attention

35. Weak vs. Strong

36. Amount of damage 50% canopy damage ► Come back after two years 30% canopy damage ► Come back after one year

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

38. Restoration pruning program First 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

39. Sproutsemerging

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

41. 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.

42. Sprout management

43. Reduce someRemove someLeave some Once growth slows a bit…

44. Before After

45. After first restoration pruning

46. Restoration pruning program First 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

47. Establishing new leaders • During canopy cleaning, make pruning cut on limb • Let branches sprout • After sprout growth slows, reduce some, remove some, leave some • Select sprout to be the new leader. - Look for lateral branches and collar

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

49. 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

50. Storm breaks off top