| The West Virginia Division of Forestry has completed a damage assessment following the February 16th ice storm that hit
central West Virginia. The agency is now in the process of helping landowners in overcoming the problems left in its
wake.
Forester Leslie Fitzwater says the agency is compiling an information packet to provide landowners with information about
damage assessment, proper harvest, and management of those trees that were impacted in the storm.
The packet is available from local forest service offices and more information is available at wvforestry.com Fitzwater
says landowners with damages can also call their local forester to set up an appointment to have their timber damage
assessed.
The state Department of Agriculture said 50,000 acres of forest land was damaged by the recent ice storm in Calhoun
County. The figures were released after an aerial survey was done of thirteen counties.
Trees were uprooted, split, limbs detached and tops ripped off. Hardwoods and pines were mostly susceptible, although in
certain areas of Calhoun almost every tree was damaged.
Forestry officials say the storm is a setback for timbering and timber owners, maybe for years to come.
Downed trees and branches will provide significant fuel for forest fires in years to come.
There are three degrees of damage from an ice storm. Trees that lean or have broken limbs with less than fifty-percent
damage will likely recovery. Trees with 50 to 75 percent crown loss can be kept, but stand a strong chance of developing
stain or decay. The worst damage is when a tree has lost 90 to 95 percent of its crown. Forestry officials say those should be
harvested within a year.
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