|
|
|
|
|
Media Inquiries
614-265-6860 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sep
19
Written by:
news editor
9/19/2008 1:00 AM
09/19/08 State forester encourages woodland owners to use the toll-free Call Before You Cut hotline that will feature a live operator from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 20
WOODLAND OWNERS WITH TIMBER DAMAGE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL FORESTER FOR ADVICE
State forester encourages woodland owners to use the toll-free Call Before You Cut hotline
that will feature a live operator from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 20
COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio's woodlands suffered significant damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ike earlier this week and Ohio's state forester encourages those woodland owners with numerous downed trees to plan now on how best to salvage the fallen timber, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
By dialing the Call Before You Cut hotline, woodland owners can receive a packet of information about protecting the long term health of their woods and their financial interests, said David Lytle, Ohio's state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. The Call Before You Cut program features a toll-free number (877-424-8288) and a web site, www.callbeforeyoucut.org that provides woodland management tips and a link to a list of qualified foresters and forestry technicians."
Additional information, such as a list of certified Ohio Master Loggers and information about timber sale contract items and logging best management practices are also available through the program.
We encourage woodland owners with significant damage to contact a forester for assistance, and city and urban residents with downed trees to contact a certified arborist to assist them with their tree care needs, said Lytle.
Downed trees can deteriorate quickly, and woodland owners should contact a professional forester about how best to properly harvest severely damaged trees before they decline in value. The economic value of broken and uprooted trees may decline within a year.
Many trees with broken limbs or crown damage will survive, however those with more than 75 percent crown damage have a low chance for survival in the short term. Trees with 25 to 75 percent crown damage often suffer decay, disease or insect damage, and longer term quality/value loss.
It is extremely important that necessary precautions are taken, as heavily damaged woods are likely to be hazardous to walk and work in, even under conditions with light to moderate winds. Those working with a chainsaw should use proper safety equipment. Workers should have training and experience with the use of a chainsaw and in handling the additional safety concerns involved with felling and cleaning up wind-damaged trees.
ODNR service foresters are available to provide landowners with suggestions on how to manage wind-damaged woodlots. Service forester phone numbers can be obtained through the Call Before You Cut program.
The Call Before You Cut campaign is sponsored by a coalition of natural resource and consumer advice professionals, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry, Rural Action, Ohio State University Extension, the Better Business Bureau, the Ohio Federation of Soil Water Conservation Districts, The Nature Conservancy, and the Ohio Chapter of the Society of American Foresters.
-30-
For more news online, visit the ODNR Press Room at ohiodnr.com
For Further Information Contact:
Andy Ware, ODNR Division of Forestry
(614) 265-1089
-or-
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
Tags:
|
|
|