Storm Damage

What do you do after your woodlands experience unexpected storm damage?

While WWOA hopes your woodlands were not damaged in these severe storms, we are providing a variety of resources to assist you in caring for your woodlands if you have damage. Taking in the damage can be devastating.  After you see the damage and realize that your woods will never be the same again, you will need to consider your options.  Do not let “door knockers” pressure you into doing something you will regret.  Unless your safety or your property’s (home) safety is compromised, you have time to make a thoughtful decision.

Storm damage, while not always a pleasant experience, is a natural one. Damage from extreme weather events can be referred to as “disturbance”, and is a naturally occurring aspect in most ecosystems. Active forest management and timber harvests, in some ways, can replicate natural disturbance by creating canopy gaps that permit light to pass through and stimulate understory growth.

There are two main options (depending on the severity of the damage) that are outlined and expanded upon in the DNR publication, In the Face of Change.

The first is to leave things as is, allowing dead and damaged trees to decay and go through their natural process. By letting things go as is, a variety of new habitats for different wildlife species (which are often threatened/endangered) are created and nutrients are returned to the forest floor as decomposition progresses.

The second is to do a salvage harvest. By clearing out downed and damaged trees, the amount of forest floor and standing fuels are decreased, thereby reducing your risk of a devastating forest fire. Insects and disease also spread quickly between damaged trees.

There is no right answer for any one woodland. Work with your forester and other trusted natural resources professionals to decide what is best for you and your woodland.

If you decide to move ahead with a salvage cut, WWOA offers a variety of publications to assist you.  It is important to enter into a contract with a reputable forester and logger, just as you would for any other timber harvest.  WWOA encourages you to use our Sample Timber Sale Contract and read over a number of the publications with information on how to hire a consulting forester or other contractor and expectations of foresters, loggers and landowners.  If your woods is enrolled in the Managed Forest Law program, make sure to notify your WDNR forester as well.

You may want review these previously published articles from WWOA’s quarterly magazine Wisconsin Woodlands titled Do you have storm damage in your woodlands? written by Jane Cummings Carlson (note the sidebar on Oak Wilt’s listing of counties where it is found has changed) and Timber Salvage written by Bill Cook for some additional tips and ideas on how to handle storm damaged property.

Please remember that we are still in Spring Fire Season and burn responsibly by checking the Fire Danger and Applying for a Burn Permit (if needed). 

More Storm Damage information is available below:

Severe Storms and Flooding in WI resources – ReadyWisconsin
WWOA Publications Page – includes sample timber sale contract and more!
WI Forest Landowner Grant Program– WI DNR emergency funds 
DNR Forestry Assistance Locator – Find a DNR Forester in your coverage area.
2-1-1 Wisconsin – report damage and request assistance or call 2-1-1 at any time, 24/7 to speak with an information and referral specialist, trained to assist callers in this time of need.
Storm Damage to Forests – What to do First – WI DNR
Managing Storm Damaged Woods – UWEx
Burning Permits – WI DNR
Storm Clean-up with Chainsaws – FNR Clemson Extension
Chainsaw Safety-Log the Right Way – FISTA
Watch for Storm Chaser Contractors  and Don’t Hire Storm Chasers and Storm Damage Repairs – WDATCP
Flooding Resources – WDATCP
Cleaning up Storm Debris – WDNR
Flood Damage  and Settling Property Insurance Claims – WI OCI
Income Tax Deduction on Timber & Landscape Tree Loss from Casualty– US Forest Service
Storm Damage in Your Yard – WDNR
Storm Debris Cleanup on Waterways – WI DNR
Insects and Disease in Storm-damaged trees – WI DNR
Storm Damage to Forests – Wildfire Concerns – WI DNR
Storm Damage to Forests – Finding Help – WI DNR