Community Forestry Team provides urban forestry training to tornado impacted citizens in Cullman, AL
The damage sustained by communities in north central Alabama as a result of the spring tornados can only be described catastrophic. Life in these communities is slowly returning to normal as util
ities, homes and streets are repaired and rebuilt. The trees, however, have a longer and questionable road to recovery. Trees with shattered or missing canopies are common and their future health and safety is uncertain.
Tony Glover a County Extension Coordinator in Cullman, Alabama saw first hand the damage sustained and the need to help answer the questions flowing into his office. How damaged is too damaged? Should the tree come down? Is the tree safe? How do we restore the tree?
In response to these questions and anticipating the need for training on hazard tree identification and remediation Tony Glover in cooperation with Beau Brodbeck and Jack Rowe developed a workshop on community forestry post-storm management. Tony, Beau, and Jack wrote three handouts on assessing, pruning and hiring an arborist that can be downloaded below.
The workshop was conducted on July 27 in Cullman, Alabama and was available via video conference to the Tuscaloosa Extension office and to any citizens interested in joining the meeting via the web. There were a total of over 40 people either at the meeting or joining via the web.
The workshop covered the following subjects (click on the links to download a PDF version of the power points).
1. Introduction to Hazard Tree Identification
3. Hazard Tree ID; the Trunk and Crown
4. Introduction to Post-storm Pruning
5. Reduction Pruning; Restoring Damaged Trees
Supporting publications:
If you have any questions about assessing storm damaged trees or pruning trees back to health please contact us for more information.
Recreational Pond Management Workshop Conducted in Spanish Fort, Alabama
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System with the assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers and the NRCS conducted a one day workshop on managing recreational ponds. The workshop had 53 people in attendance that was primarily composed of foresters and forestland owners.
Attendees learned:
- How the Army Corps of Engineers permits ponds from Mr. Mike Moxey the Permitting Team Leader
- How to build, restore and maintain ponds from Mr. Perry Oats the NRCS State Engineer
- How fertilize, lime, control vegetation and stock ponds from Mr. PJ Waters the Extension Ponds Specialist
- How to manage and protect the watershed feeding ponds from Mr. Mike Shelton with Weeks Bay/State Lands
If you have any pond questions whether they are in your urban landscape, forestry or farm contact Mr. PJ Waters for additional information.
PJ Waters
Recreational Pond Specialist
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
251.438.5690
waterph@auburn.edu
Below are the power point presentations presented by each speaker:
"Permitting Ponds: A Landowners Guide"
Speaker: Mike Moxey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
"Pond Building: The Basics for Successful Ponds"
Speaker: Perry Oates, Conservation Engineer, NRCS
"Stocking Timing, Inputs, Aquatic Vegetation and Other Considerations"
Speaker: PJ Waters, AL Cooperative Extension System
"Stream Side Management Zones and Water Quality"
Speaker: Mike Shelton; AL Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Weeks Bay Reserve
Associated publications:
Weed Management in Lake & Ponds
Using Grass Carp to Control Weeds in AL Ponds
Management of Recreational Fish Ponds
Hazard Tree Risk Management Workshop Conducted in
Fairhope, AL
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System in conjunction with the Alabama Urban Forestry Association conducted a one day training for professional arborists, tree services and city foresters on identifying and rating hazard trees. The workshop had 29 people in attendance from around Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The City of Fairhope and Faulkner State Community College hosted the event in downtown Fairhope on July 15, 2011.
The workshops featured three local speakers who lent their experience and expertise to the audience. Jack Rowe an Extension Urban Forester with vast amounts of experience garnered from his position as a traveling city forester for 17 Alabama black belt communities and previous experience as a professional arborist in Washington D.C.. Gary Ickes with Ickes Tree Service a Board Certified Master Arborist and past president of the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. Finally, Beau Brodbeck a Extension Forester/Urban Forester with a wide variety of storm related urban forestry experience.
The workshop educated participants on:
- Tree Biology and structure as it relates to risk management
- Root, Trunk and Crown defects
- Site conditions causing high risk trees
- Available hazard rating systems
- Legal implications of performing hazard rating
- Tools for successful hazard rating
The power points presented by each speaker can be downloaded for review below.
Intro to Tree Hazard Identification- Beau Brodbeck
Tree Hazard Identification; The Roots
Tree Hazard Identification; The Trunk - Gary Ickes
Tree Hazard Identification; The Crown - Jack Rowe
Thousand Cankers Disease: A Red Alert for Walnut
The American chestnut tree is gone, we've lost most of
our urban elm and many of our forest butternut trees, ash is now in rapid decline, and we stand to lose our black walnut trees. Just two years ago researchers discovered that a sudden decline in black walnut (Juglans nigra) in Colorado was due to a combination of the Walnut Twig Beetle and a previously unknown fungus, which infested the trees by hundreds of thousands, causing cankers and cutting off the flow of nutrients. With a mortality rate near 100 percent, what is the prognosis if the disease moves into black walnut's native range? According to Whitney Cranshaw, professor of bioagriculture science and pest management at the University of Colorado, "based on the patterns seen in the West, such a colonization could very possibly develop into an uncontrollable outbreak. This may ultimately have the potential to destroy black walnut in its native range.
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt: Invasive Pest Moving Towards Alabama
The redbay ambrosia beetle
(Xyleborus glabratus) is a relatively new imported pest that is impacting trees in the Lauraceae family in the Southeastern United States. This beetle feeds on the woody tissues of host trees and introduces a fungus that it carries, causing reday wilt. Common trees likely to be impacted in Alabama and the Gulf Coast are redbay (P. borbonia), swampbay (P. palustris), sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and in Florida Avocado (P. Americana).
Decatur Tackles Tree Loss in Major Park
DECATUR -- Park officials have taken the first step toward reversing a decades-long trend of declining trees in the city's signature park. Using US Forest Service funds awarded through Auburn University, the city will be able to complete a tree inventory and urban forest management plan. (Read Full Story)
Florence Completes Urban Forest Analysis
FLORENCE -- Paul Graham knew his city's urban forest was more than just trees. But as the city''s urban forester, he didn't have the numbers to back it up. Now he does. Using federal funds provided by the US Forest Service through Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Graham was able to complete a tree inventory that used GIS and GPS mapping technology and a sophisticated modeling program to placed dollar values on specific services provided by Florence's urban forest. The numbers are staggering. (Read Full Story)
Tree Group Produces Conservation White Paper
MONTGOMERY --Cities and towns across the US struggle with the same question. How does a community develop an urban tree conservation ordinance that really works? The Montgomery Tree Committee (MTC) found an answer. Instead of copying another community's ordinance, the MTC contracted to compile a white paper based on a variety of nationwide approaches and studies. The paper will be used by the MTC and the City of Montgomery to develop a tree conservation ordinance tailored to their needs. The MTC received a US Forest Service award through Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to produce the white paper. (Click here to see a copy of the white paper).
Alabama River Region Gets Model Tree Ordinance
MONTGOMERY -- The Central Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission (CARPC) has added a new tool to its arsenal of services to communities throughout the its multi-county area. It recently unveiled a "Model" tree ordinance that can be used as a template to meet the needs of any community. The City of Millbrook is already using the model to help draft a tree ordinance for city council approval. CARP received a US Forest Service award through Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to create the model. (Click here to see a copy of the model tree ordinance)
Clanton Moves Toward Tree Management Program
CLANTON -- Clanton is developing a tree management plan to help the city maintain its urban forest. Federal funds will be used to contract with a qualified contractor to prepare an urban forest management plan based on a tree inventory. The project was made possible by a US Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry award through Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. (Read Full Story)
Small Town Takes Big Steps to Better Trees
OAK GROVE -- Two former Town employees are leading an effort to survey community trees and public opinion. Their efforts will result in a comprehensive tree managment plan than involves volunteer citizen efforts. (Read full story)
University Studying Shade Tree Energy Savings
AUBURN UNIVERSITY -- Shade trees keep our houses cooler, but just how much do they reduce electricity bills? An Auburn University researcher is seeking to answer that question. Professor David Laband in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is conducting a study of houses in the Auburn area to determine the annual energy savings provided by shade trees. Laband recently received a $116,000 matching grant from the USDA Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program, based on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. The AU School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is providing the matching $116,000 toward the overall $238,000 project. Laband will be gathering information about shade coverage, power usage, square footage, type of air conditioning, appliances, roofing, exterior material and other factors. Participating homeowners will follow-up with shorter, monthly surveys for one year about their energy costs. (Read full story)
Citizens Step in to Rescue Trees
MONTGOMERY -- Old Cloverdale residents turned on the taps to water recently planted trees showing signs of stress following two years of drought. The parched trees were planted by the City of Montgomery using federal funds awarded through Auburn University's Urban & Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program. (Read full story)
Tree Planting Season --- Helpful Tips for Successful Planting
Winter is considered the ideal season for tree planting in Alabama. Along the Gulf Coast the months between November and March normally provide the best climatic conditions for improved tree survival. During winter months, trees are dormant and transplanting shock is greatly reduced due to leaf fall and reduced photosynthesis and water requirements. However, successful tree planting goes beyond proper timing. It also requires careful site evaluation, proper species selection, and correct planting and maintenance techniques. (Read full story)
Auburn University Helps Restore Storm Ravaged Urban Forest
The impacts from hurricane strength winds in western Alabama and storm surge along the gulf coast left Alabama’s urban forests in need of repair and in many instances replacement after Hurricane Katrina. The US Forest Service has responded by allocating funds for the assessment, remediation, and replacement of Katrina impacted urban forests in Alabama. (Read full story)
Pine Beetles Expanding Threat in Alabama
Have you noticed all the pine trees turning bright rusty red on your drive to work? Have pine trees in your yard died? Currently southern Alabama is in the midst of a severe pine beetle infestation... (Read full story)
Smart Urban Forestry: Planting Wind Resilient Trees
With the arrival of hurricane season, the need for smart growth in urban forestry is important. Residents living in hurricane prone communities must consider planting hurricane resistant tree species to plan for future storm events. According to Beau Brodbeck.... (Read full story)
Upcoming Educational Events:
"GPS 101: Technology for Better Land Management
2 upcoming locations:
August 31, 2011.
Selma, AL
For detailed information and registration
September 13, 2011
Thomasville, AL
For detailed information and registration
Strategic Plan Released
Online
Alabama has a new and improved urban and community forestry strategic plan. The yearlong process involved the input of people from across the state, including 20 took part in a summit in Montgomery last year. To see what the future can be for Alabama's urban forest
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