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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>March 22, 2012 Contact: Cynthia Orlando<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 503.945.7421<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Paul Ries<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 503.945.7391<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><h4><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Winter storms: proceed with caution, as many storm-damaged trees are worth saving<o:p></o:p></span></h4><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>The recent storm events taking place in </span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>the interior western valley counties between Marion and Lane County</span><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'> included rain, snow and ice, and took a heavy toll on many trees in Oregon landscapes. Nonetheless, arborists usually advise homeowners and community leaders to exercise caution when dealing with a storm’s aftermath.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>That’s because there are two very common mistakes people make when trying to clean up after a storm. The first is trying to save trees that have sustained too much damage, and are likely to become hazardous; the second is using harmful pruning techniques on a tree that perhaps only needs a light pruning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>"People naturally become anxious to have their trees examined so they can prune or take other actions,” observes Paul Ries, an urban forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry. “However, it’s often the case that more trees become damaged as a result of improper post-storm activities, than were damaged directly by a storm.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Incorrectly pruning a tree can weaken it, setting it up to become hazardous. Topping − the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees − creates trees that are likely to be hazardous in the future. That's because a topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree with normal branch structure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>The opposite problem – trying to prune trees that have already lost too much of their crowns – is another common post-storm mistake. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Mother nature - a random act...or a hidden cause?</span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Remember the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>While some tree failures are unpredictable, many can be predicted and prevented. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Cut roots, cavities and decay pockets, recent construction, and trees that have been topped in the past are just a few of the signs that can point toward an unhealthy or hazardous tree - good candidates for breakage or failure when heavy snows hit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>What to do after the storm<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Doing the right things after trees have been damaged can make the difference between giving trees a good chance of survival, or losing them unnecessarily. Properly selecting a qualified arborist is key. "Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,” said Ries, who manages the state's urban and community forestry program. Ries recommends using an arborist whose name and company are familiar to your community - even if that means waiting longer for service.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Says Ries, “be careful not to overreact or you may end up removing valuable shade trees that are still sound, and take years to replace." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>Here are some tips to help you locate a tree service company with experience assessing storm-damaged trees:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>* Hire a company that is bonded and insured. Although Oregon requires tree service companies to register with the Construction Contractors Board, they are not required to adhere to proper pruning standards or even demonstrate pruning knowledge in order to obtain a license. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>* Beware of people or companies that show up at your door; their low prices may ultimately cost you more money in the long run. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>* Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service. Ask for references, and take your time to select a reputable company.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>* Remember, the fact that someone has a business license doesn't guarantee they have the tree knowledge necessary to do the job right.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>* Hire a certified arborist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>If you're in doubt about credentials, the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA) maintains a list of certified arborists for hire on their website: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><a href="http://pnwisa.org/hire-an-arborist.html">http://pnwisa.org/hire-an-arborist.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:Times-Roman'>“Arborists are often in great demand for several weeks following a storm,” adds Ries, “so if your tree isn’t an immediate and visible hazard, it may be worth waiting a while.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b>For more information about trees and tree care:</b><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b>Can these trees be saved? <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/CanTheseTreesBeSaved.pdf">www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/CanTheseTreesBeSaved.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b>Tree first aid after a storm </b><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/TreeFirstAid.pdf">www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/TreeFirstAid.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b>Hazard tree prevention webpage <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.pnwisa.org/preventing-your-trees-from-becoming-hazardous.html">www.pnwisa.org/preventing-your-trees-from-becoming-hazardous.html</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'> # # #<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b>The mission of Oregon’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program is to help Oregonians improve their quality of life by promoting community investment in our urban forests.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>