M1289     2010  

Flooding Effects on Trees

By Mel Baughman, Extension Forester and Program Leader

Copyright ©  2010  Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Flood damage may affect tree height and diameter growth and tree survival. Such tree damage may be caused by soil changes, physical damage, insects, and diseases. The potential for damage to trees from flooding depends on flood characteristics and tree characteristics. Trees may need special care following a flood to minimize longer-term decline.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Types of Flood-Related Damage
Effects of Flood Characteristics
Effects of Tree Characteristics
Tree Care After a Flood
Hiring a Tree Care Professional
Assess Tree Loss and Damage for Insurance or Tax Purposes
References

Types of Flood-Related Damage ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Flooding may cause direct damage to trees by changing soil conditions, interrupting normal gas exchange between trees and their environment, sedimentation, and physical damage. Flooding also may weaken trees, thus making them more susceptible to indirect damage from insects and diseases. The likelihood of insect and disease damage depends upon the severity of the flood and tree health. A tree in weak condition before a flood can be further stressed by flooding and consequently susceptible to insects and diseases.

Trees that are flood stressed exhibit a range of symptoms that may include: leaf chlorosis and subsequent defoliation, reduced leaf size, early fall coloration and leaf drop, development of epicormic shoots (watersprouts or small shoots emerging from the main stem), crown dieback, and production of either large seed crops or no seed crops in years following a flood. Symptoms may progress and ultimately result in tree death over a period of several years or they may abate as the tree recovers. It is very difficult to link a flood to the cause of tree death years later.

Changes in Tree Growth Rate

A long-duration flood, especially during the growing season, may decrease height and diameter growth of tree species that are intolerant of flooding, but height and diameter growth may increase for flood tolerant species.

Soil Changes

Water covering the soil reduces the supply of oxygen to tree roots. Roots must have oxygen to survive and grow.

Sediments carried by the water and deposited over the roots also reduce the supply of oxygen to tree roots. As little as three inches of sediment can be harmful. Tree species vary in their tolerance to sedimentation, but all seedlings are susceptible to root injury from sediment. Eastern cottonwood and black willow seedlings can withstand moderate siltation.

Flooding increases the pH of acid soils and decreases the pH of alkaline soils. Tree species vary in their pH tolerance.

The rate of decomposition of organic matter in flooded soil tends to be only half that in unflooded soil. The major end products of decomposition of organic matter in flooded soil is carbon dioxide, methane, and humic materials. In addition, the high concentrations of ethanol and hydrogen sulfide that are produced in waterlogged soil can damage tree roots.

Flood waters may contain chemicals from urban areas or agricultural fields that may be harmful to trees when absorbed by their roots.

Physical Damage

Strong currents, waves, or suspended particles may cause soil around the base of trees to be washed away, exposing their roots. Exposed roots can stress trees and make them more vulnerable to windthrow.

Ice flows and debris carried by rushing waters can remove bark and damage tissues. Such wounds may then be subject to wood stain and decay organisms.

Flood waters that cover foliage on lower branches will interfere with photosynthesis and gas exchange, leading to death of those branches.

Insect Damage

Stem boring insects are the major insect group of concern. The most common stem borers are beetles, either adults or immature larvae depending on the species. Other stem borers which may damage trees are a few moth or woodwasp larvae. Stem boring insects can be further divided into phloem borers and wood borers.

Phloem borers include bark beetles and many of the metallic wood-boring beetles. They are serious pests because the damage they cause occurs in the tree’s phloem (inner bark) and outer sapwood layers. These two layers are important in food and water transport and, if significantly damaged, can kill trees.

Wood borers may spend some time in the phloem layer, but generally tunnel deeper and feed in the wood of tree stems or branches. This tunneling is not usually a serious impediment to tree survival, but it can significantly reduce the quality of any eventual wood products. Wood borers, however, weaken stems, which may lead to breakage during ice, wind or snow storms.

Numerous small holes in the bark are a common symptom of stem borers. Insect entrance holes may have pitch, sap, or sawdust exuding from them. Exit holes are generally very clean and may be round, oval or D-shaped. Removing the bark will expose larval tunnels on the wood surface. (Removing bark on living trees will damage a tree, so do this only on dead trees or low quality trees to test for the presence of stem borers.

To reduce damage from stem borers:

1. Prevent additional wounding or root damage to trees. Wounds create stress and attract many insects.
2. Sanitize areas by removing and destroying large broken limbs and dead trees. This material may act as breeding sites for stem-boring insects which may later infest surrounding live trees.
3. Increase tree vigor through light fertilization treatments and watering if soil conditions become excessively dry during the two or three years following flooding.
4. Insecticides rarely help control stem borers. They should be used only for high value trees and following the recommendations of a professional entomologist, arborist, or forester. Stem borer insecticides are applied to the tree bark as a protectant; therefore, application must be made before infestation.

It is unknown whether leaf-feeding (caterpillars) or sucking insects (scales and aphids) will become more of a problem following flooding. Plant stress can alter the biochemistry of trees making nutrients and sugars more available to insects feeding on leaves or sap. This could increase survival of these insects and increase their population size. Outbreaks of caterpillars or scales and aphids could further increase stress levels on trees severely weakened by a flood. Control of these insects should be considered a priority on high value trees for one to three years after a flood. This may require application of insecticides following label directions.

There are too many potential insect pests and tree species to list all possible sources of insect damage, but the following tree species are notorious for insect attacks following stressful periods:

• all pines
• oaks
• hybrid poplars
• birches (especially white birch)
• hickories

Be especially aware of these insects:

• pine bark beetles (Ips spp.)
• twolined chestnut borers (Agrilus bilineatus) on oak
• bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxious)
• hickory bark beetle (Scolytus quadrispinosus)

Disease Damage

Several diseases may weaken or kill trees following flooding. They mainly affect a tree’s roots, root collar, and lower stem.

Armillaria root disease is also known as shoestring root rot. There are hundreds of species of Armillaria fungi. It can cause wood decay, growth reduction, and death to hundreds of tree species, but commonly infects and kills trees already weakened by other factors. Although drought is usually considered the precursor to Armillaria infections, flooding has been implicated in Armillaria root rot infections in oak, chestnut, and larch.

Symptoms of Armillaria infection include leaf chlorosis (yellow then brown), defoliation, reduced leaf and shoot growth, dieback, and/or death. On most conifer species, lower stems usually are somewhat enlarged and exude large amounts of resin. Broadleaved trees may develop sunken cankers covered with loose bark or bark infiltrated with gum. Removing the bark will expose white mycelia fans on the wood surface or black, shoestring-like rhizomorphs attached to roots. Clusters of honey-colored mushrooms growing in clumps around the base of a tree in the fall are further signs of Armillaria.

To reduce damage from Armillaria:

1. Reforest stands with a mixture of species ecologically suited to the site and not obviously infected with Armillaria.
2. Maintain vigorous tree growth without damage to the soil.
3. Minimize stress to and wounding of crop trees.
4. On high-risk sites where the disease is present, uproot infected or susceptible root systems and stumps to minimize dead wood where Armillaria can survive and spread. Clear such wood at least 33 feet beyond the visible margin of the disease center.

Flood stressed trees are especially susceptible to root collar and root rot diseases caused by species of Phytophthora and Pythium, which are considered "water molds" and are not "true" fungi. Free-standing water aids in both the reproduction and dissemination of these fungi. Oxygen starvation, wounding, and loss of cell permeability due to flooding provide ideal infection sites for these organisms to colonize.

Phytophthora species cause root and collar rot diseases on a wide range of nursery and forest tree species including:

• apple
• cherry
• walnut
• American beech
• sweet birch
• flowering dogwood
• fir
• horse chestnut
• black, Norway, red, silver, sugar, and sycamore maples
• pin and red oaks
• pines
• yellow-poplar
• weeping willows
• azalea
• rhododendron

Symptoms of Phytophthora collar rot of flood damaged trees include brown to reddish water-soaked lesions with abrupt margins beneath the bark. A reddish brown liquid sometimes exudes from the canker margin. Cankers may not be noticed until foliar symptoms develop, which include sparse, chlorotic (yellow) leaves, premature fall color, and dieback.

Pythium species cause damping off and root rot disease on young seedlings in nurseries and can infect nearly all conifers and hardwoods.

Pythium root rot produces less distinctive diagnostic symptoms that include stunting, leaf chlorosis, reduced leaf size, basal stem cankers which often ooze sap, root and collar decay, crown dieback, and death.

Management strategies for Phytophthora and Pythium species are targeted only at tree nurseries since little can be done to control these diseases after trees are outplanted. In nurseries

1. Avoid planting tree species highly susceptible to Phytophthora species in poorly drained fields.
2. Improve soil drainage in poorly drained fields.
3. Employ alternative cropping regimes in fields with a previous history of root rot disease. Consider bare fallow for one to two years to reduce disease inoculums.
4. Use chemical fumigation

Effects of Flood Characteristics ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Trees are more likely to be damaged by flooding during the growing season than by flooding during the dormant season. Trees are most susceptible to flood damage in late spring just after the first flush of growth. Tree species begin their spring flush at different times so the timing of a flood influences the species that are likely to be damaged.

The duration of a flood affects tree health and survival. During photosynthesis, green leaves absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen to produce sugar. But all tree cells, including those in the roots, use oxygen and release carbon dioxide in the process of respiration. This gas exchange by cells requires access to air. Flooding displaces air in the soil leading to root decline or death.

A well-drained soil (for trees and shrubs) allows water to drain (percolate) at a rate of one inch per hour. To test the drainage rate of your soil, dig a hole 24 inches deep, fill with water, let it drain completely and then fill once again. If the 24-inch deep hole drains within 24 hours, this well-drained soil is considered close to optimum for most landscape trees and shrubs.

A poorly-drained soil will take more than 24 hours to drain a 24 inch deep hole, but there are degrees of poor drainage. A soil that takes 36-48 hours to drain is not nearly as bad for trees as a soil that percolates at a rate of 24 inches in seven to ten days.

If trees are flooded by heavy rain or snow melt in late winter or early spring when the trees and shrubs are not actively growing, and the water recedes before growth begins, flooding usually is not a problem. Most tree species can withstand one to four months of flooding during the dormant season. However, when flooding occurs during the growing season, especially during warmer weather, one to two weeks of flooding can cause major, long-term damage to sensitive trees and shrubs, even death with some species. Other species can survive as long as three to five months in flooded situations.

The oxygen content of flood water affects tree survival. Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water and rapidly flowing water with higher oxygen content is less harmful than stagnant water.

Effects of Tree Characteristics ^{[1, 2]}

Tree tolerance to flooding depends on many characteristics including tree height, crown class, age, vigor and species.

Tree injury increases in proportion to the percent of crown covered by water. Some trees can survive with their main stems standing in several feet of water for months, but may die in less than one month if their foliage is completely covered. Few species can tolerate more than one month of complete submersion during the growing season.

Trees in a woodland can be rated according to their crown classes which indicate where a tree’s crown is placed with respect to nearby competitors. Trees in the dominant crown class survive flooding much better than trees with a crown class of intermediate or suppressed.

Adult trees survive flooding better than overmature trees or seedlings of the same species. For example, some species rated as flood tolerant may be quite sensitive in the seedling stage. Seedlings often die because they are pushed over, buried in mud, uprooted, or smothered from lack of air.

Vigorously growing, healthy trees withstand flooding better than less vigorous trees, although vigor may be irrelevant if a tree is totally submersed in water.

Tree species vary in their tolerance for flooding. There also may be differences in flood tolerance between trees of the same species. Flood tolerance may be an inherited trait. There have been few reliable, replicated studies of tree species tolerance to flooding. Recommendations below were reported by researchers in different geographic areas where the tree species mix varied, the flood events were different, and definitions of flooding tolerance varied.

Southeast Minnesota ^[6]

These tree and shrubs species grow reliably in southeast Minnesota and are tolerant of poorly-drained and flooded sites, but they may not be completely hardy in all regions of the state.

Deciduous Trees:
Boxelder (Acer negundo)
Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Red Sunset maple (Acer r. saccharinum)
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)
Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra)
Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)
White alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled alder (Alnus rugosa)
River birch (Betula nigra)
Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
White ash (Fraxinus americana)
Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)
Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Tamarack (Larix laricina)
European larch (Larix decidua)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata)
Waferash (Ptelea trifoliata)
Bicolor oak (Quercus bicolor)
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Eastern pin oak (Quercus palustris)
Peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides)
White willow (Salix alba)
Black willow (Salix nigra)
Showy Mountain-ash (Sorbus decora)
Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)
American elm (Ulmus americana)

Evergreen Trees:
White spruce (Picea glauca)
Black spruce (Picea mariana)
Northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Shrubs:
False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Leatherwood (Dirca palustris)
Common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Common winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
American elder (Sambucus canadensis)
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Northern white-cedar shrub forms (Thuja occidentalis)
American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Arrowwod viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
American cranberry bush (Viburnum trilobum)

Relative Tolerance of Trees in Illinois to Flooding During the Growing Season ^[6]

(may be applicable in southern Minnesota)

Tolerant (most individuals survived more than 150 days of flooding during the growing season)
Boxelder (Acer negundo)
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)
Downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis)
Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Pin oak (Quercus palustris)
Black willow (Salix nigra)

Somewhat Tolerant (some individuals killed by less than 90 days of flooding and some individuals survived greater than 150 days of flooding)
Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
American elm (Ulmus americana)

Slightly Tolerant (most individuals survived more than 50 days, but less than 100 days of flooding)
White oak (Quercus alba)
Red oak (Quercus rubra)

Intolerant (severe effects with less than 50 days of flooding)
White oak (Quercus alba)
Black oak (Quercus velutina)

Relative Tolerance of Trees and Shrubs to Flooding During the Growing Season, Lower Mississippi Valley and Missouri River Divisions ^[2]

(may be applicable in western and southern Minnesota)

Very Tolerant (able to survive deep, prolonged flooding for more than 1 year)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Black willow (Salix nigra)

Tolerant (able to survive deep flooding for one growing season, with significant mortality occurring if flooding is repeated the following year)
Boxelder (Acer negundo)
Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
White ash (Fraxinus americana)
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Pin oak (Quercus palustris)

Somewhat Tolerant (able to survive flooding or saturated soils for 30 consecutive days during the growing season)
Hazel alder (Alnus rugosa)
River birch (Betula nigra)
Downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis)
Honeylocust (Gliditsia triacanthos)
American holly (Ilex opaca)
Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Winged elm (Ulmus alata)
American elm (Ulmus americana)
Red elm (Ulmus rubra)

Intolerant (unable to survive more than a few days of flooding during the growing season without significant mortality)
Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis)
Shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa)
Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Red mulberry (Morus rubra)
Wild plum (Prunus americana)
Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
White oak (Quercus alba)
Red oak (Quercus rubra)
Black oak (Quercus velutina)

Relative Tolerance of Cultivated Species to Short-term Flooding During the Growing Season in New York ^[2]

(may be applicable in Minnesota)

• Tolerant (4 to 10 inches of water for 10 days in June 1972 caused no apparent damage or mortality)<
  
  
  Deciduous Trees:
  Red maple (Acer rubrum)
  Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
  White ash (Fraxinus americana)
  Thornless honeylocust (Gliditsia triacanthos var. inermis)
  Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
  Dolgo crabapple (Malus pumila “Dolgo”)
  White mulberry (Morus alba)
  Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
  Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
  White willow (Salix alba)
  Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
  Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)
  
  
  Evergreens:
  Pfitzer juniper (Juniperus chinensis var. pfitzeriana)
  Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)
  
  
  Shrubs:
  Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
  Gray-stem dogwood (Cornus paniculata)
  Regel privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium var. regelianum)
  Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
  Sweet viburnum (Viburnum lentago)
  American cranberry bush (Viburnum trilobum)
  
  
• Intolerant (4 to 10 inches of water for 10 days in June 1972 resulted in defoliation or death)
  
  
  Deciduous Trees:
  Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
  Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
  Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
  Gray birch (Betula populifolia)
  Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
  Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida, Cornus florida “Cloud 9”, Cornus florida “Cherokee Chief”)
  Red flowering dogwood (Cornus florida var. rubra)
  Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
  Lavalle hawthorn (Crataegus lavallei)
  Apple (Malus sp. “Lodi,” “McIntosh,” “Radiant,” “Hope,” “Bechtel”)
  Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
  Weeping cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula)
  Red oak (Quercus rubra)
  Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
  European mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
  
  
  Evergreens:
  Norway spruce (Picea abies)
  Colorado spruce (Picea pungens)
  Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens var. glauca)
  Upright yew (Taxus cuspidate)
  Spreading yew (Taxus cuspidata var. expansa)
  Hick’s yew (Taxus media “Hicksii”)
  Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
  Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Tree Care After a Flood ^{[2, 4]}

Trees that are healthy before a flood are more likely to survive flooding in good condition. Tree care after a flood depends on whether you are managing many acres of woodland or a few yard trees.

Trees in a Woodland

Inspect your woodland soon after floodwaters recede. Look for trees that have been uprooted, abraded by moving debris, or killed. A timber harvest or sale may be appropriate if you have a sufficient number of damaged trees. Trees with damaged roots, bark and major branches will soon develop wood stain and decay that greatly reduces their wood product value so harvest these trees within a few weeks after the damage occurs. Also remove trees that may be a source of stem boring insects. Harvest carefully to minimize damage to residual large trees as well as desirable seedlings and saplings. Do not harvest when the soil is saturated since rutting may damage roots and soil compaction may affect future root growth. Small quantities of wood may be useful around your home or farm for firewood, lumber, erosion control, brushpiles for wildlife or fish habitat.

Many trees will sprout from the stump and grow again. Sprouting ability varies by tree species but is more likely among small trees than big trees. Cut stumps close to the ground to encourage sprouts that will persist after the stump decays.

Take advantage of scoured floodplains and freshly-eroded stream banks to replant with flood tolerant species.

If you have substantial damage, seek advice from a forester about how to manage your woodland or conduct a timber sale.

Trees in a Yard or Urban Community

To increase tree vigor, apply a low nitrogen fertilizer, aerate the soil, mulch around the base of small trees to eliminate weeds and conserve moisture, and water if soil conditions become excessively dry. Remove branches that are broken, cankered or dead, but prune trees only when bark surfaces are dry or during the dormant season to minimize infection by opportunistic pathogens. Remove sediment deposited over the roots by the flood. Roots usually extend at least as far out as the canopy. Protect high value trees from leafspot diseases, such as anthracnose, and from early season insect defoliators and sucking insects, such as aphids or scales.

Large trees that have been partially uprooted may need to be removed by a professional arborist. They are difficult to set upright and may not recover from the root damage.

Reset only small, easy-to-manage trees. If trying to salvage fallen or partially uprooted trees and shrubs, keep roots covered and moist until resetting. Replant trees and shrubs at their original planting depth. Either excess soil or exposed roots can cause further shock and damage. Pack soil firmly around the roots to eliminate air pockets and provide support. Stake the tree for a year or two until its roots become reestablished. When staking, use hardwood or metal stakes that will not decay in the coming year. Use three stakes and place each at an angle away from the trunk. To avoid injuring the trunk, fasten a tree to its supporting stakes with a wide strap or wire wrapped in cloth. Water reset trees frequently to promote root growth.

When pruning branches, cut close to forks or the main stem, but minimize the surface area of an exposed cut.

Find other uses for tree and plant waste to prevent overburdening landfills. Hardwood trees make good firewood. If not removing the stump, speed up the decay process by cutting grooves in the stump, covering it with soil or leaves, occasionally adding nitrogen fertilizer to the top of the stump, and keeping the stump moist.

Leaves, weeds, and other non-woody garden debris can be composted. If grass clippings are composted, mix them with other materials to prevent over-packing that leads to obnoxious odors. Sawdust and wood chips require extra nitrogen fertilizer or fresh lawn clippings. Do not compost meat, bones, grease, eggs, and dairy products.

Create a compost pile close to where it will be used, but not offend neighbors. Protect it from drying winds. Locate it in partial sunlight to help heat the pile. Prepare a compost pile or bin in layers to facilitate decomposition. A compost pile ideally should be about 5 feet high. Moisten the materials as they are placed into the pile or bin. Oxygen and water are critical elements in the composting process. Keep the pile moist, but not waterlogged. To encourage oxygen infiltration, avoid over-chopping composting materials or packing the pile. Compost is ready to use when it has shrunk to one-half its original volume, has lost the identity of its original material, and has a pleasant, earthy smell.

Hiring a Tree Care Professional ^[5]

A forester offers the best expertise to assess flood damage in a woodland. Either a forester or an arborist can assess damage to trees in a yard or community.

A forester is an advisor who can assess damage to individual trees to determine their future health and survival, set up a timber sale if warranted, and advise you about salvaging wood products, creating wildlife habitat from woody debris, and planting trees. A forester is a planner who may recommend that you contract with a logger or other vendor to carry out work that is recommended (timber harvest, tree planting, etc.). To be a forester requires a 4-year degree in forestry (or a related degree with substantial work experience under the guidance of a forester). Forestry assistance may be available from your state’s department of natural resources or from private consultants. A consultant should be a Certified Forester as determined by the Society of American Foresters.

An arborist is both an advisor and a vendor who typically works in residential and other urban areas. An arborist can assess damage to individual trees to determine their future health and survival. An arborist also can prune trees, remove trees, plant trees, and treat insect and disease problems. You may find names by searching in the yellow pages under Tree Service. Arborists should be certified with organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture or belong to professional organizations. This demonstrates that a professional is kept informed of the latest techniques and shows dedication to the industry.

A consulting forester or arborist should provide proof of personal and property damage insurance and workers compensation insurance. Homeowners have had to pay for damages when they unknowingly hired uninsured arborists.

Reputation is a very important reason for choosing a tree care professional. Ask for references and feel free to contact those individuals or examine their work on properties similar to yours.

Unless you have a preference toward a certain tree care professional, it is wise to obtain more than one estimate. Do not always accept the lowest bid though - check for credentials and written specifications of the work to be done.

Assess Tree Loss and Damage for Insurance or Tax Purposes ^{[3, 7]}

The decrease in value of your trees or property due to a flood may be recovered by your flood insurance or it may constitute a casualty loss for income tax purposes.

If you have flood insurance, it may pay for cleanup and replacement of trees to restore your property to its original condition before the flood. Contact your insurance company immediately after damage has been noticed to learn about filing a claim. To help with such a claim, take photographs of the damage, keep receipts for cleanup, repairs, and tree replacement, and collect local newspaper articles as evidence of the flood.

To claim an income tax deduction for flood damage, see the references below:

• Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. 2009. Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts (Publication 547).
• Wang, D. 2008. Income Tax Deduction for Timber Casualty Loss. USDA Forest Service. 2 p.

References

1. Beckerman, J. Flood Damage Effects on Trees. 2001. Yard and Garden Line News, vol. 3, no. 5. University of Minnesota Extension. 1 p.
2. Bratkovich, S.; Burban, L.; Katovich, S.; Locey, C.; Pokorny, J. and Wiest, R. 1994. Flooding and Its Effect on Trees. St. Paul, MN: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State & Private Forestry, Northeastern Area. 58 p.
3. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. 2009. Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts (Publication 547).
4. Gillitzer, P. 2009. Flooded Trees – Minimize Injury. University of Minnesota Extension. 1 p.
5. Johnson, B. 2009. Tree Care Professionals. University of Minnesota Extension. 1 p.
6. Johnson, G. R. 1999. Trees and Shrubs for the Drainage-Challenged Landscape. Yard and Garden Line News, vol. 1. no. 1. University of Minnesota Extension. 1 p.
7. Wang, D. 2008. Income Tax Deduction for Timber Casualty Loss. USDA Forest Service. 2 p.

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.