Australia Storm BookAfter The Storm - 18
The Storm-Damaged Landscape
GeneralCleanup is the first priority after any major storm. Here are some suggestions to help you with this task.
TipsSite analysis - If land forms have been altered, these need to be reshaped. Don't allow heavy equipment to move close to trunks of remaining shrubs and trees. Remember that most roots extend well beyond the outer branches; therefore, heavy equipment can damage roots and compact soil.
Plants that are leaning should be reset and staked.
If portions of uniform plantings, such as hedges, were taken out by the storm, select replacements as close to size as feasible. Don't be tempted to severely prune remaining plants. Wait until late winter for hard pruning to help re-establish uniform size.
Trim partially damaged shrubs and trees as lightly as possible to reshape. Complete reshaping could take several growing seasons. Make a careful decision on this. For example, if one-third of a plant is missing, replacement might be a better choice than commitment to "nursing" the plant back into shape with pruning, fertilizing, and watering. A damaged plant will be a "shocked" plant.
How much damage is too much damage to warrant replacement? If heavy splitting of bark exposing the cambium occurred, a plant will probably not survive. Leave woody plants that are doubtful as to survival in place and wait. Check periodically by scraping bark lightly to reveal green (living) tissue.
Some uprooted plants can be reset if the root ball is fairly intact with a compact root system, white healthy roots are showing, and most of the top growth remains.
Prepare remaining plants for overwintering. Mulch with three to four inches of pine straw, peanut hulls, pecans shells, etc. Research shows that established shrubs and trees can be given a one-half rate fertilization after the first freeze. Don't fertilize newly set plants. Wait until late winter or very early spring just before new growth.
Contact your county Cooperative Extension center if you feel estimates for work are exorbitant.
Be prepared to deal with possible shortages of some plant materials. If desired plants aren't available, choose plants with similar characteristics and qualities.
Establish new flower and shrub beds. When soil is workable, cultivate to a depth of eight to twelve inches. Work in two to three inches of peat moss or compost. Spread 1/2 cup of 5-1--10 or 10-10-10 per square yard of bed area. Don't add fertilizer to planting holes for spring flowering bulbs. Some gardeners add a small amount of bonemeal at planting to encourage stronger foliage.
If extensive replacement is necessary, select some fast growing shrubs and trees to plant near slower growing ones. After slow growers become established, faster growing (and perhaps less desirable) plants can be moved or taken out.
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