Storm-Damaged Trees Disaster Assistance

Tree species vary in their resistance to storm injury. These characteristics may increase a tree’s susceptibility to storm damage: 

• Included bark (bark that turns inward at the point where branch and trunk or codominant stems meet) in branch junctures
• Old or over-mature trees with increased crown size, internal decay, and decreased flexibility of limbs and trunk
• Pre-storm conditions like unbalanced crown and dead wood
• Numerous small twigs and branches that increase the total surface area
• Broad crowns (decurrent branching habit) that increase ice and snow accumulation
• Trees with horizontal branching

Characteristics that may decrease a tree's susceptibility to storm damage include:

• Trees with excurrent (conical) branching
• Strong branch attachment
• Trees with coarse branching
• Small, mature trees

Follow these tips to manage the volume of debris in the aftermath of storm events.

• Assess the safety conditions of your family, home and neighborhood. Carefully examine each injured tree for the type and extent of damage.
• Look for trees that present obvious hazards to people or property like large, broken branches or split portions of the main trunk that are partially attached and hanging over houses, sidewalks, driveways, garages or other buildings.
• Use the IHSEM Damage Assessment form  to report damage to your property, roads, utilities, or any other storm-related information. The damage report will be sent to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and made available to your local emergency manager.
• Call your insurance provider if there is structural, vehicular or property damage.
• Check with local, state or federal officials for your area before you remove debris from your yard or neighborhood. Local governments may utilize different debris clean up procedures.
• Always allow the utility company to handle broken limbs or tree damage around power lines. Clean up debris on the ground before starting tree repair.
• Keep yard waste bags and heavy cord handy when cleaning up tree debris. Pile debris where it will not restrict your movements, the movements of tree crews or your neighbors. Be sure to allow access to remove other debris. Determine which debris is recyclable and pile it separately. Most woody debris can be recycled.
• Check the Iowa DNR Disaster Debris Disposal Options.
• Any major injury may reduce the useful life of a tree. Decay fungi or insects can enter injury wounds. Damage to trees may reduce or destroy their intended function or severely disfigure the tree's appearance. Contact an ISA certified arborist to help you decide if you should keep or remove damaged tress.
• If your household is eligible for the Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP), you may apply for assistance with damage from disaster events receiving Governor's proclamation. 

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Homeowners should only attempt to clean up minor tree debris. Tree trunks and large limbs can be very heavy. Individuals should not attempt to move large debris by themselves.

• Find an ISA Certified Arborist to help remove large debris.
• Homeowners should not attempt to remove leaning trees or large debris on roofs. Moving these could cause additional structural damage and injury.
• Use caution when moving downed trees and branches laying over one another.  They could snap and cause injury under tension.
• Only operate a chainsaw on storm-damaged trees if you have received proper training. Iowa Arborist Association occasionally offers chainsaw training. Never operate a chainsaw alone. Always use the necessary safety equipment. 

The main reason to prune young trees is to develop good branch structure and tree strength. Removing weak branches and correcting poor form when branches are small minimizes the size of pruning wounds. Early pruning also promotes strength and balance that help make a tree less susceptible to damage from wind, ice, and snow storms. 

Developing good structure is critical during the first 15 to 20 years of a tree’s life. Limit pruning of newly planted trees to removing dead and broken branches or correcting multiple leaders. Start developmental pruning of deciduous trees two to three years after planting. 

Follow these tips when pruning young trees:

• Always leave 70 percent of the tree height with live branches; avoid removing lower branches too fast.
• Keep the temporary lower branches on the tree until they reach 1 inch in diameter to increase trunk growth and root development.
• Remove crossing, rubbing, broken, diseased, and weak-angled branches in the upper portion of the tree. Eliminate double leaders and trunk sprouts.

• Iowa State University Extension County Services - stay up to date with events, programs and services offered in your area
• USDA Disaster Resource Center - learn how to prepare, recover and build long-term resilience during disasters and emergencies
• Assessment of urban tree canopy damage in incorporated communities resulting from the August 2020 Midwest Derecho
• USDA Disaster Assistance Programs - learn how to prepare, recover and build long term resilience to natural disasters
• Iowa Emergency Management (Iowa HSEM) - Iowa's preparedness, response and recovery agency works with public and private sector organizations to prevent and respond to natural and man-made emergencies
• Managing Storm Damaged Woodlands (ISU Extension) -  overview on what to do when natural disaster strikes. Includes: assessment, salvage potential and woodland management.
• Managing Storm Damaged Trees Do-s & Dont's (Georgia Forestry Commission) - a brief guide on what to do, and not do when managing storm-damaged trees. Includes: how to hire a professional for clean-up, chainsaw safety, pruning and maintenance for damaged trees and more.
• National Timber Tax -  online resource for timberland landowners, and other professionals who work with timberland owners, concerning the tax treatment of timber related activities
• Trees and Storms (Purdue University) - assessment of trees for storm-related damage and what steps to take next
• US Disaster Preparedness- learn about various natural disasters, what to expect and how to plan ahead
• List of arborist vendors certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Forestry - professional contacts, programs and events to help you better understand and support your trees.
• Iowa State University Extension: Yard and Garden - home gardening information about plant care, plant recommendations, growing and harvesting, pest management, and household pests from Iowa State University Extension specialists

Municipal, county, state and federal officials should call their respective county Emergency Management Agency (EMA) offices.

Communities experiencing storm damage can contact Emma.Hanigan@dnr.iowa.gov for help to complete a Tree Risk Assessment. Having an up-to-date public tree inventory is the first step to prepare for tree-related hazards from storm events.

Use these resources to assess your community forest storm readiness, mitigate tree risk, reduce tree-related storm damage and develop a community forest storm mitigation plan.

• Community Forest Storm Mitigation Workbook
• Community Forest Storm Mitigation Planning Template

• Community Forestry Academy - unique online training and refresher courses for municipal staff, community leaders and state forestry agency personnel
• USDA Disaster Resource Center - learn how to prepare, recover and build long-term resilience during disasters and emergencies
• Assessment of urban tree canopy damage in incorporated communities resulting from the August 2020 Midwest Derecho
• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Iowa HSEM) - Iowa's preparedness, response and recovery agency works with public and private sector organizations to prevent and respond to natural and man-made emergencies
• Managing Storm Damaged Woodlands (ISU Extension) -  overview on what to do when natural disaster strikes. Includes: assessment, salvage potential and woodland management.
• Trees and Storms (Purdue University) - assessment of trees for storm-related damage and what steps to take next
• Storm Ready Brochure (South Carolina Forestry Commission) - tips for how to prepare for the clean-up from major storms.
• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Forestry - professional contacts, programs and events to help you better understand and support your trees.