Construction Damage, Severe Storms, and Tree Failure Analysis
September 12, 2018
Eric North, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Larry Costello, University of California Emeritus & Oracle Oak LLC
Understanding how and why trees fail can help us improve how we design our urban forests and better manage the risks involved. In this webinar, Eric North will draw on storm research to describe the impact of sidewalk construction on street tree growth, stability, and recovery, and share design considerations for sidewalks and street trees. Larry Costello will present an overview of the Western Chapter Tree Failure Database (formerly California Tree Failure Report Program), which provides genus and species "failure profiles" based on quantitative reports of mechanical failures of urban trees. He will also share tips on how to establish similar programs in other regions.
Presentations
Construction Damaged Trees & Severe Storms (PDF)
Eric North
Assistant Professor of Practice
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tree Failure Analysis: Western Tree Failure Database (PDF)
Larry Costello
President
Oracle Oak LLC & University of California Emeritus
Resources
Resources Mentioned in the Webinar
The Influence of Sidewalk Replacement on Urban Street Tree Growth
This article from Urban Forestry & Urban Greening shares the results of a study that quantified the growth response of urban trees in restricted planting spaces pre- and post-sidewalk construction.
Trunk Flare Diameter Predictions as an Infrastructure Planning Tool to Reduce Tree and Sidewalk Conflicts
Published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, this study presents predictive models of trunk flare diameter at ground line for two tree genera (Acer and Fraxinus) commonly planted as street trees in Minnesota. These types of predictive models can help inform infrastructure plans that reduce conflicts between urban trees and urban infrastructure.
Tree Failure Databases
Check out the websites for the California Tree Failure Report Program and the PNW Tree Failure Database.
US Forest Service Resources
A Guide to Identifying, Assessing, and Managing Hazard Trees in Developed Recreational Sites of the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Intermountain West
This guide provides managers of developed recreation areas with a process and sufficient background information to aid in recognizing, assessing, and making management decisions regarding hazard trees.
Tree Risk Assessments: Cutting edge science meets practical applications
This Urban Forest Connections webinar highlights recent research related to tree failure and risk assessments.