StormDamageInfo

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Directory Of Local County Extension Foresters

July 24 Tornado up close
The home and property of Laureen and Brian Howard of Barnstead.

Howard homestead

Assessing and Cleaning Up Storm-Damaged Trees: Use Caution

blowdown view from air Frequently Asked Questions about the Tornado, Trees and Forests

The tornado that touched down in New Hampshire July 24 has uprooted or damaged trees across a 49.5-mile stretch of the state from Northwood to Effingham.

Each downed- or damaged-tree situation is unique, and each poses potential dangers to landowners trying to clean up the damage.

Nursery Seedlings for Tornado Affected Property Owners

The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands’ State Forest Nursery is offering to those landowners affected by July’s tornado the opportunity to order seedlings early for reforestation purposes. Please call the Division of Forests and Lands Concord office weekdays between 8 AM to 4 PM at 271-2214 for a copy of the Spring 2009 catalog.

The State Forest Nursery was originally established in 1910 to provide seedlings for reforestation. It has since expanded its offerings to include seedlings for conservation uses and Christmas tree planting stock.

Landowners can obtain planting advice from their County Cooperative Extension Office or private forestry consultant to determine what species would be the most suitable for regenerating their property.

Stay safe!
Seek professional advice before undertaking the job, and use common sense as you work. A few tips:

Don't try to clean up storm-damaged trees during during high wind conditions.
Stay away from downed or sagging power lines until utility crews have arrived and repaired them.
Don't work alone.
Wear a hard hat and other recommended safety gear.
Watch for hanging limbs and leaning trees.
Remember that trees and branches may be unstable and pose considerable risk.
Contact your insurance company for instructions, and take pictures to document damage for potential claims.

Take your time
According to Phil Bryce, director of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, as long as trees don't pose an imminent hazard, landowners have time to get help to determine what to do next.

"Trees that blew over with roots intact will last a year before insects and stain render them unusable [as timber]," he said. "Broken trees may only last a month, but many of them may remain sound longer depending on the conditions."

"In the haste to clean up, we hope people remember to follow the laws and also to do their homework before entering into any agreement [for cleanup]," said Brad Simpkins, chief of forest protection with the Division of Forests & Lands.

"There are laws covering timber tax, timber trespass, shoreland protection, boundary lines, slash, and contracts. And we always suggest people ask for references before engaging any kind of contractor."

UNH Cooperative Extension County Foresters available to answer questions about storm cleanup
"UNH Cooperative Extension's county foresters are experienced foresters who can help landowners determine if they have trees that are still valuable that could be sold, or a mess that will cost money to clean up," said Bryce. "They can also inform people about contracts and laws."

Managing Debris Collected After Severe Storms N.H. Department of Environmental Services fact sheet discusses the types of environmental problems that landowners must address immediately after a natural disaster as part of their cleanup efforts.

Path of the July 24, 2008 tornado.pdf Not an aerial photo or satellite image, but an "artist's rendition" of the area seen by an aerial observer. It's useful for finding problems in remote areas, estimating acreages, and focusing ground projects. Courtesy Kyle Lombard, N.H. Division of Forests and Lands

July 24 Tornado up close Dramatic photos show damage to the home and property of Laureen and Brian Howard of Barnstead

Information about damage to individual trees