Rapid Assessment of Tree Debris Following Urban Forest Ice Storms

Richard J. Hauer; Angela J. Hauer; Dudley R. Hartel; Jill R. Johnson

Treesearch

Rapid Assessment of Tree Debris Following Urban Forest Ice Storms

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Richard J. Hauer, Angela J. Hauer, Dudley R. Hartel, Jill R. Johnson

Year:

2011

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 37(5):236–246

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Abstract

This paper presents a rapid assessment method to estimate urban tree debris following an ice storm. Data were collected from 60 communities to quantify tree debris volumes, mostly from public rights-of-way, following ice storms based on community infrastructure, weather parameters, and urban forest structure. Ice thickness, area of a community, and street distance are significant predictors for estimating debris from ice storms. Results from this study provide a way to estimate woody debris volumes from urban trees immediately following an ice storm. The model can also be used to predict debris volumes for storm preparedness planning.

Keywords

Emergency Management, Ice Storm, Storm Damage, Tree Debris, Urban Forest

Citation

Hauer, Richard J.; Hauer, Angela J.; Hartel, Dudley R.; Johnson, Jill R. 2011. Rapid Assessment of Tree Debris Following Urban Forest Ice Storms. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 37(5):236–246.