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Trees that Survived the Storm |
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Trees that aren’t strong enough to “take it” in central Plains weather extremes became obvious last January. The worst ice storm in south central Kansas’ recorded history brought the area to its knees as tree limbs crashed into power lines, buildings and vehicles – creating enough broad-scale damage to qualify it as a federal disaster area.
“The most extensive damage was to our old Siberian elms. They accounted for 30 to 80 percent of the loss in older sections of Wichita and in surrounding towns and rural homesteads,” he said. Neier found, however, that other trees proved to be less than sturdy, too. The list was surprisingly short, but included the Bradford pear, Russian olive and willow – including the Austree. Because area residents would be thinking about replacing trees this spring, Neier also identified the species that had survived with the fewest lasting effects – what he thinks of as the “strong trees.” “No species came through without damage to isolated, individual specimens. Still, many trees had no real damage or developed minor problems that can be cured with corrective surgery,” he said. As part of that, Neier discovered tree age, health, and past care had a big effect on damage level. “Older trees broke more often than younger ones did,” he said. “At the same time, however, trees that had been pruned regularly – training them to develop strong branch angles – held up the best.” For most deciduous trees, the strongest branch angle is almost straight out (90 degrees) from the trunk, Neier said. Branches that grow close to the trunk, forming an angle like a narrow “V,” don’t have to develop much strength during the good times, so are less likely to survive ice storms and strong winds. Other factors that tended to make the area’s trees vulnerable included:
The following species came with the least damage, Neier said. (Residents in other areas can find out whether the species are appropriate where they live by checking with their state land-grant university’s local Extension office.) Most have high odds for returning to excellent condition with corrective pruning.
Neier is based in the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center. He hopes area residents replacing trees next to utilities will choose strong species that also mature below power line height. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan. |
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But,
while the storm made firewood from decades of summer shade, songbird
habitat, rope swings, and overall property value, it also taught important
lessons. During the cleanup, Bob Neier, Kansas State University
horticulturist, surveyed area residents to discover those lessons’
specifics.