The Impact of Visual Defects and Neighboring Trees on Wind-Related Tree Failures
Authors:Nelson, Michael E. Klein, Ryan W. Koeser, Andrew K. Landry, Shawn M. Kane, Brian
Volume:13
Published:2022
Document Type:Article
Abstract:Urban trees are often more sun- and wind-exposed than their forest-grown counterparts. These environmental differences can impact how many species grow-impacting trunk taper, crown spread, branch architecture, and other aspects of tree form. Given these differences, windthrow models derived from traditional forest production data sources may not be appropriate for urban forest management. Additionally, visual abnormalities historically labeled as defects in timber production, may not have a significant impact on tree failure potential. In this study, we look at urban tree failures associated with Hurricane Irma in Tampa, Florida, USA. We used spatial analysis to determine if patterns of failure existed among our inventoried trees. We also looked at risk assessment data to determine which visual defects were the most common and the most likely to be associated with branch or whole-tree failure. Results indicate that there was no spatial pattern associated with the observed tree failures-trees failed or withstood the storm as individuals. While some defects like decay and dead wood were associated with increased tree failure, other defects such as weak branch unions and poor branch architecture were less problematic.
Author Information
Corresponding Author:Koeser, AK (通讯作者)，Univ Florida, Gulf Coast Res & Educ Ctr, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Dept Environm Hort,Ctr Land Use Efficiency, 14625 Cty Rd 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 USA.
Reprint Address:Koeser, AK (通讯作者)，Univ Florida, Gulf Coast Res & Educ Ctr, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Dept Environm Hort,Ctr Land Use Efficiency, 14625 Cty Rd 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 USA.
Addresses:[Nelson, Michael E.; Kane, Brian] Univ Massachusetts, Dept Environm Conservat, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003 USA; [Klein, Ryan W.] Univ Florida, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Ctr Land Use Efficiency, Dept Environm Hort, POB 110670, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA; [Koeser, Andrew K.] Univ Florida, Gulf Coast Res & Educ Ctr, Inst Food & Agr Sci, Dept Environm Hort,Ctr Land Use Efficiency, 14625 Cty Rd 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 USA; [Landry, Shawn M.] Univ S Florida, Sch Geosci, 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620 USA
E-mail Addresses:michaelnelso@umass.edu; ryanwklein@ufl.edu; akoeser@ufl.edu; landry@usf.edu; bkane@eco.umass.edu