Fire, ice, and metabolism

Abstract

Evaluation of tree injury often begins with a loss assessment. For winter storm injury, percent crow loss or branch breakage is often estimated. For injury from fire or some mechanical source to the lower trunk, the height and width of the killed vascular cambium and resulting scar are often measured. Both crown breakage and stem wounds provide the opportunity for infection and over time can result in wood decay. Procedures to measure, estimate, and report those losses might be simple or complex and may fit into a flowchart or recipe book. But should these measurements or estimates be the basis for tree retention or removal?

Citation

Smith, Kevin T. 2015. Fire, ice, and metabolism. Tree Care Industry. 26(8): 28-32.