notes: Community meetings will be held The agency is working with landowners, local governments, and other state agencies to address blow-down, in-stream debris, and other forest-related effects from the recent storms. ------------- After Storms: Once the winds calm down, lights come back on and people have a chance to step outside, many Oregonians will get busy surveying trees around their homes and businesses trying to assess damages and the need for tree care. Usually, following any major storm event, many homeowners are anxious to have tree work completed. However, according to Paul D. Ries, a certified arborist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, "it's quite possible that as many trees will be damaged as a result of clean-up as were directly damaged by the storm." That’s because many times it’s the improper pruning done to trees by inexperienced homeowners or unqualified tree “experts” that causes the greatest damage. Topping, the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees, actually creates future hazards rather than eliminating them. A previously topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree that has a normal branch structure. “Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,” warns Ries, who manages the state’s urban and community forestry program. Don’t over-react, and wait for an available certified arborist to prune trees – even if that means waiting longer for service. MORE info at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/news/NR5758.shtml ------------------------------ n ounce of prevention The best advice? “Healthy, well cared for trees are the best defense against tree damage when the next storm blows through the state,” adds Ries. Some tips: * Have a qualified arborist inspect your trees annually and provide you with a written report; * Prune trees correctly when they are young, and regularly thereafter; * Don’t allow trees to be topped! For help with post-storm assessments Use caution in dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Although Oregon requires tree service companies to register with the state, they are not required to adhere to proper pruning standards or even demonstrate pruning knowledge in order to obtain a license. Hire a company that is bonded and insured. Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service. When in doubt ask for references, and take your time to select a reputable company. Most importantly, avoid hiring anyone who will top a tree. Certified arborists and information about them can be found in the phone book typically under "Tree Service,” and on the Internet at www.pnwisa.org, www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/credentials.shtml, and at www.treesaregood.org. -> Public Involvement http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/publicinvolvement.shtml ========== Community meetings will be held The agency is working with landowners, local governments, and other state agencies to address blow-down, in-stream debris, and other forest-related effects from the recent storms. ------------- After Storms: Once the winds calm down, lights come back on and people have a chance to step outside, many Oregonians will get busy surveying trees around their homes and businesses trying to assess damages and the need for tree care. Usually, following any major storm event, many homeowners are anxious to have tree work completed. However, according to Paul D. Ries, a certified arborist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, "it's quite possible that as many trees will be damaged as a result of clean-up as were directly damaged by the storm." That’s because many times it’s the improper pruning done to trees by inexperienced homeowners or unqualified tree “experts” that causes the greatest damage. Topping, the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees, actually creates future hazards rather than eliminating them. A previously topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree that has a normal branch structure. “Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,” warns Ries, who manages the state’s urban and community forestry program. Don’t over-react, and wait for an available certified arborist to prune trees – even if that means waiting longer for service. MORE info at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/news/NR5758.shtml ------------------------------ n ounce of prevention The best advice? “Healthy, well cared for trees are the best defense against tree damage when the next storm blows through the state,” adds Ries. Some tips: * Have a qualified arborist inspect your trees annually and provide you with a written report; * Prune trees correctly when they are young, and regularly thereafter; * Don’t allow trees to be topped! For help with post-storm assessments Use caution in dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Although Oregon requires tree service companies to register with the state, they are not required to adhere to proper pruning standards or even demonstrate pruning knowledge in order to obtain a license. Hire a company that is bonded and insured. Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service. When in doubt ask for references, and take your time to select a reputable company. Most importantly, avoid hiring anyone who will top a tree. Certified arborists and information about them can be found in the phone book typically under "Tree Service,” and on the Internet at www.pnwisa.org, www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/credentials.shtml, and at www.treesaregood.org. ========== WILDFIRES - http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/cwpp_ed.shtml

region: Pacific Northwest -> NorthWest

notes: Community meetings will be held The agency is working with landowners, local governments, and other state agencies to address blow-down, in-stream debris, and other forest-related effects from the recent storms. ------------- After Storms: Once the winds calm down, lights come back on and people have a chance to step outside, many Oregonians will get busy surveying trees around their homes and businesses trying to assess damages and the need for tree care. Usually, following any major storm event, many homeowners are anxious to have tree work completed. However, according to Paul D. Ries, a certified arborist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, "it's quite possible that as many trees will be damaged as a result of clean-up as were directly damaged by the storm." That’s because many times it’s the improper pruning done to trees by inexperienced homeowners or unqualified tree “experts” that causes the greatest damage. Topping, the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees, actually creates future hazards rather than eliminating them. A previously topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree that has a normal branch structure. “Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,” warns Ries, who manages the state’s urban and community forestry program. Don’t over-react, and wait for an available certified arborist to prune trees – even if that means waiting longer for service. MORE info at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/news/NR5758.shtml ------------------------------ -> Community meetings will be held The agency is working with landowners, local governments, and other state agencies to address blow-down, in-stream debris, and other forest-related effects from the recent storms. ------------- After Storms: Once the winds calm down, lights come back on and people have a chance to step outside, many Oregonians will get busy surveying trees around their homes and businesses trying to assess damages and the need for tree care. Usually, following any major storm event, many homeowners are anxious to have tree work completed. However, according to Paul D. Ries, a certified arborist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, "it's quite possible that as many trees will be damaged as a result of clean-up as were directly damaged by the storm." That’s because many times it’s the improper pruning done to trees by inexperienced homeowners or unqualified tree “experts” that causes the greatest damage. Topping, the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees, actually creates future hazards rather than eliminating them. A previously topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree that has a normal branch structure. “Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,” warns Ries, who manages the state’s urban and community forestry program. Don’t over-react, and wait for an available certified arborist to prune trees – even if that means waiting longer for service. MORE info at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/news/NR5758.shtml ------------------------------ n ounce of prevention The best advice? “Healthy, well cared for trees are the best defense against tree damage when the next storm blows through the state,” adds Ries. Some tips: * Have a qualified arborist inspect your trees annually and provide you with a written report; * Prune trees correctly when they are young, and regularly thereafter; * Don’t allow trees to be topped! For help with post-storm assessments Use caution in dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Although Oregon requires tree service companies to register with the state, they are not required to adhere to proper pruning standards or even demonstrate pruning knowledge in order to obtain a license. Hire a company that is bonded and insured. Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service. When in doubt ask for references, and take your time to select a reputable company. Most importantly, avoid hiring anyone who will top a tree. Certified arborists and information about them can be found in the phone book typically under "Tree Service,” and on the Internet at www.pnwisa.org, www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/credentials.shtml, and at www.treesaregood.org.

notes: -> Community meetings will be held The agency is working with landowners, local governments, and other state agencies to address blow-down, in-stream debris, and other forest-related effects from the recent storms. ------------- After Storms: Once the winds calm down, lights come back on and people have a chance to step outside, many Oregonians will get busy surveying trees around their homes and businesses trying to assess damages and the need for tree care. Usually, following any major storm event, many homeowners are anxious to have tree work completed. However, according to Paul D. Ries, a certified arborist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, "it's quite possible that as many trees will be damaged as a result of clean-up as were directly damaged by the storm." That’s because many times it’s the improper pruning done to trees by inexperienced homeowners or unqualified tree “experts” that causes the greatest damage. Topping, the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees, actually creates future hazards rather than eliminating them. A previously topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree that has a normal branch structure. “Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,” warns Ries, who manages the state’s urban and community forestry program. Don’t over-react, and wait for an available certified arborist to prune trees – even if that means waiting longer for service. MORE info at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/news/NR5758.shtml ------------------------------