Un equipo de científicos de UF/IFAS estudió diez huracanes para determinar su efecto en el bosque urbano. Uno de los objetivos principales de este estudio fue elaborar listas de resistencia relativa al viento para diferentes especies de árboles urbanos, con el fin de ayudar a las comunidades a estar mejor preparadas para futuras temporadas de huracanes al seleccionar las especies adecuadas. Esta hoja informativa presenta la investigación y la metodología que llevaron a la creación de estas listas de resistencia relativa al viento. También analiza en detalle los resultados y ofrece recomendaciones adicionales para seleccionar y establecer árboles, con el objetivo de tener un bosque urbano más saludable y resistente al viento.

Ecosystems are dynamic. Disturbances lead to changes in ecosystems, collectively called succession. Disturbances can be natural and/or anthropogenic (human-caused). Natural disturbances, such as wildfire, play an important role in forest succession. Knowledge of natural disturbance regimes is important to maintaining biodiversity. In forest succession, species composition, ecosystem structure and ecosystem functioning all change gradually over time. In urban areas, the alterations of natural disturbance regimes, along with the introduction of invasive species have altered natural succession. Natural disturbances vary in spatial scale (from small to large areas) and temporal scale (from hours to eons). Variation in the temporal and spatial scales of disturbances leads to ecosystems spread over the landscape that are in different successional stages. This landscape diversity meets the needs of a variety of wildlife species. In order to restore more natural successional regimes, we have to learn about ecosystems: their natural disturbance regimes, their expected stages of succession, and how they fit into the overall landscape. Small scale urban forestry projects should incorporate the concepts of succession, while eliminating invasive species and re-introducing natural disturbances regimes. Large scale projects can also adopt these strategies, but have the additional opportunity to manage for several stages of succession across the landscape and to restore missing stages of succession. Change

Just as farmers plant the best-available varieties of crops that have been developed through many generations of breeding, forest landowners should plant the best-available genetically improved varieties of pines for reforestation of their timberlands. This 8-page fact sheet written by Timothy L. White, Mary L. Duryea, and Gregory L. Powell and published by the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation explains how planting genetically improved varieties of pines can increase the productivity, health, and value of reforested Florida timberlands. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr007

The Forest Stewardship Program encourages landowners to manage their lands for multiple natural resources, increases public awareness of the importance of Florida’s forestlands, and improves cooperation among natural resource agencies and organizations to meet Florida’s forest resource conservation and management needs. This three page fact sheet written by Mary Duryea, Deborah McGrath, Chris Demers, and Anthony Grossman and published by the School of Forest Resources and Conservation explains the program and its benefits and describes how to become a forest steward.

A subsample of 332, 0.06-hectare plots measured during 2001–2002 in Houston, TX, U.S., were relocated and measured in 2008 following Hurricane Ike. These 37 re-measured plots provide a unique opportunity to explore the effects of urbanization and hurricanes on the forest structure of coastal urban forests. Statistical analyses of growth, mortality, and in-growth were conducted using plot- and tree-level factors. In total, 305 trees were re-measured, of which 195 (63.9%) still remained on-site and 110 (36.1%) had been removed. Ninety-seven (31.8%) of these trees were determined to be removed due to urbanization and 13 trees (4.3%) were removed due to hurricane impacts. Results show an overall annual net loss in tree numbers and an increase in tree density during the analysis period. Average annual mortality and in-growth rates were 3.9% and 5.3%, respectively. Growth rates were significantly influenced by land cover type, tree stem diameter, crown width, and percent dieback (P < 0.05). Overall, Hurricane Ike resulted in the removal of 4.3% of all trees measured, with removal occurring on six (16%) of the 37 re-measured plots. These initial findings could be used to understand changes in forest structure in coastal urban areas, improve estimates of carbon sequestration, and develop management goals.

This article introduces open access Web mapping services as an efficient tool for disseminating research information and delivering Extension services. Two potential functionalities for Web mapping application are demonstrated. The first function represents a new community-driven data collection process where Web maps are at the heart of the process. The other function is a typical Web search application for Extension services. A practical evaluation of the introduced services to input and disseminate spatially georeferenced information is demonstrated. Issues such as user authentication, community definition, implementation, and user interface design are discussed.

FOR-117-Sp, a 17-page, full-color fact sheet by Eliana Kampf, Mary L. Duryea, Edward F. Gilman, and Astrid Delgado, is the Spanish language version of FOR-117, Chapter 3 - Assessing Hurricane-Damaged Trees and Deciding What to Do. It is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It discusses factors that should be considered when deciding whether to remove or restore storm-damaged trees. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2007. FOR117SP/FR235: Capítulo 3 - Evaluación de los árboles dañados durante un huracán y toma de decisiones (ufl.edu) Ask IFAS: Programa de Recuperacion del Bosque Urbano Afectado por Huracanes (ufl.edu)

FOR-115, a 3-page full-color fact sheet by Astrid Delgado, Eliana Kampf, Carol Lehtola, Traci Partin, Mary Duryea, and Edward Gilman, is the first chapter in the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It gives tips on chainsaw safety, creating a safe work zone, and personal protective equipment. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2007. FOR 115/FR170: Cleaning Up After a Hurricane: Safety Comes First! (ufl.edu)

FOR-118, a 17-page full-color fact sheet by Mary L. Duryea and Eliana Kampf, is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It reports on the lessons learned from research conducted after 10 hurricanes by scientists at the University of Florida/IFAS, providing many recommendations for homeowners and communities. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2007.FOR118/FR173: Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes (ufl.edu)

This document emphasizes the importance of safety during post-hurricane cleanup, highlighting the dangers associated with using chainsaws and other equipment. It outlines six key areas for safe cleanup: personal protective equipment, debris removal, site assessment, caution around power lines, work area preparation, and chainsaw handling. The goal is to prepare homeowners and tree care professionals to conduct cleanup operations safely, reducing the risk of accidents that commonly occur after hurricanes and other natural disasters.

FOR-115, a 3-page full-color fact sheet by Astrid Delgado, Eliana Kampf, Carol Lehtola, Traci Partin, Mary Duryea, and Edward Gilman, is the first chapter in the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It gives tips on chainsaw safety, creating a safe work zone, and personal protective equipment. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2007. FOR 115/FR170: Cleaning Up After a Hurricane: Safety Comes First! (ufl.edu)

FOR-120, a 13-page full color fact sheet by Mary L. Duryea and Eliana Kampf, is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It presents the research and methodology that lead to lists of relative wind resistance for tropical and subtropical tree species. Includes recommendations for selecting and establishing tropical and subtropical species for a healthier and more wind-resistant urban forest. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2007. FOR120/FR175: Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species for Wind Resistance (ufl.edu)

This document emphasizes the importance of safety during post-hurricane cleanup, highlighting the dangers associated with using chainsaws and other equipment. It outlines six key areas for safe cleanup: personal protective equipment, debris removal, site assessment, caution around power lines, work area preparation, and chainsaw handling. The goal is to prepare homeowners and tree care professionals to conduct cleanup operations safely, reducing the risk of accidents that commonly occur after hurricanes and other natural disasters.

In 1998 when Hurricane Georges (177 km/h) crossed over the entire island of Puerto Rico, and in 2004 when Hurricanes Jeanne (193 km/h) and Charley (233 km/h) struck south Florida, U.S., we measured the impacts of these hurricanes on the urban forest composed of tropical and subtropical species. In addition, we also used previous published data for Hurricane Andrew for some analyses. The percent urban forest loss ranged from 13% for Georges to 16% for Jeanne to 18% for Charley. In Hurricanes Jeanne and Charley, palms survived significantly better than all other trees. Some of the best surviving species in Florida’s hurricanes were gumbo limbo (Bursera simarouba), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), live oak (Quercus virginiana), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), and baldcypress (Taxodium distichum). Of the species measured in Puerto Rico, the species with the highest survival and least branch damage were Santa Maria (Calophyllum calaba), Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea), schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla), and West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahogani). Losing leaves during these hurricanes had no relationship with how well trees survived. In Hurricanes Jeanne, Charley, and Georges, 3%, 4%, and 11%, respectively, of the trees that fell damaged property. Native tree species survived better than exotic species in Hurricanes Jeanne and Charley but not in Hurricane Georges. Trees growing in groups had greater survival and less branch loss in Hurricane Jeanne than those growing individually. Wood density was not related to survival or branch loss for tree species in Hurricanes Jeanne, Charley, Georges, or Andrew. Two other measurements of wood strength, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture, were related to survival and branch loss in Jeanne but not Charley. Tree species with dense crowns had greater survival and less branch loss than moderate- or open-crowned species. Tree species with decurrent growth form survived better than excurrent trees in Hurricane Jeanne with no difference in Charley. Trees with the most rooting space (>7 m2) had the lowest branch loss and the greatest survival in Hurricane Georges. A reanalysis of seven dicot species and their survival in Hurricane Andrew showed that survival for pruned trees was 73% compared with 47% for unpruned trees. A survey of 85 arborists, scientists, and urban foresters ranked species for their wind resistance. Using our results from hurricanes and incorporating results from the survey and the scientific literature, we have developed lists of relative wind resistance for tropical and subtropical tree species. These lists are presented with the caveat that no tree is completely windproof and that other factors such as soil conditions, wind intensity, cultural practices, and tree health and age also contribute to wind firmness.

FOR-115, a 3-page full-color fact sheet by Astrid Delgado, Eliana Kampf, Carol Lehtola, Traci Partin, Mary Duryea, and Edward Gilman, is the first chapter in the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It gives tips on chainsaw safety, creating a safe work zone, and personal protective equipment. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2007. FOR 115/FR170: Cleaning Up After a Hurricane: Safety Comes First! (ufl.edu)

This document provides guidelines for hiring a professional arborist to ensure the safe and effective care of trees, especially after storms. It emphasizes the importance of certified arborists for complex tasks, outlines key questions to ask when hiring, and warns against unqualified individuals. The document also highlights the risks of DIY tree work and the necessity of proper safety measures. It includes contact information for certified arborists and relevant organizations. Spanish version.

Several hurricanes struck Florida, U.S. in 2004 and 2005 causing widespread damage to urban and rural areas. We measured the impacts of five of these hurricanes on the urban forest and combined these results with four other hurricanes to present an assessment of wind resistance for southeastern United States coastal plain tree species. Urban forest loss was positively correlated with wind speed. Tree species demonstrating the highest survival in winds were sand live oak (Quercus geminata), American holly (Ilex opaca), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), live oak (Quercus virginiana), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), dogwood (Cornus florida), and sabal palm (Sabal palmetto). In a statistical comparison of sand live oak, live oak, and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) survival after four panhandle hurricanes, laurel oak had significantly poorer survival than both live oak and sand live oak. Among all species, larger trees lost more branches than medium and smaller trees. Leaf loss had a positive relationship with survival; losing leaves during the hurricane meant higher survival. Trees growing in groups or clusters had greater survival than those growing as individual trees. Tree species with higher wood density had greater survival. Tree species categorized as having dense crowns lost more branches than those with moderate and open crowns; however, contrary to the literature, dense-crowned species survived best. A survey of arborists, scientists, and urban foresters ranked species for their wind resistance. Using our results from hurricane measurements and incorporating results from the survey and the scientific literature, we have developed lists of relative wind resistance for tree species in the southeastern coastal plain. These lists should be used with caution with the knowledge that no species and no tree is completely windproof. In addition, local considerations such as soil, cultural practices, tree age and health, and other urban forest conditions need to be taken into account.

Right after a hurricane, communities and homeowners need to decide what to do with storm-damaged trees. Although damaged trees may seem to be dying, some trees can be restored, others will need to be removed, and still others will not require any special treatment and can be left alone. The factors that should be considered when deciding whether to remove or restore storm-damaged trees are discussed in detail in this fact sheet. This information helps to make informed decisions about how to treat the damaged trees after a storm. First published January 2007.

FOR-119, a 13-page full color fact sheet by Mary L. Duryea and Eliana Kampf, is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It presents the research and methodology that lead to lists of relative wind resistance for coastal plain tree species. Includes recommendations for selecting and establishing trees for a healthier and more wind-resistant urban forest. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2007.FOR119/FR174: Selecting Coastal Plain Species for Wind Resistance (ufl.edu)

FOR-116, a 4-page full-color fact sheet by Eliana Kampf, Astrid Delgado, Mary Duryea, Traci Partin, and Edward Gilman, illustrates hurricane recovery situations which can be handled by the homeowner and which require the services of a tree care professional or arborist, and how to find a qualified arborist. Published as Chapter 2 of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery series of the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Environmental Horticulture Department, January 2007. FOR 116/FR171: Cleaning Up after a Hurricane: Get the Right Tree Care Professional (ufl.edu)