1. Post-Storm: Tree Educational Efforts
Tony Glover, Cullman County Extension Coordinator
Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 402 Arnold Street Cullman, Alabama 35055
Abstract Impacts and Results
Cullman County along with much of North Alabama The print media efforts reached
experienced a series of tornadoes of historic proportions on 50,000 people through the
April 27, 2011. The residents of the area lost thousands of newspaper and over 150,000
trees and thousands more were damaged. Residents were through three magazine articles.
faced with a need for good information relating to post-storm
tree health assessment and reliable tree selection, planting and The post storm tree management
after-care instruction. workshop trained 44 people and we
documented a 75% overall
The local Extension staff developed a plan to provide research- knowledge gain in the parameters
based information using a multi-pronged approach of mass measured.
media, social media, web based materials, volunteer and public
training, utility bill inserts and public displays. The “Tree Selection, Planting &
Care” publication was distributed
A series of newspaper articles were developed that addressed as an insert in utility bills to 190,000
the major issues surrounding tree health assessment, safety, residents just in time for fall
tree selection, proper planting and after-care. Each article dealt planting. The Alabama Nursery
with a different major concern but tied together as a unifying and Landscape Association funded
series. the printing of 230,000 of these
publications and contributed to the
Facebook, Twitter and other web based media were used to initial cost of development.
provide tips and links to more detailed information. Extension
Specialist’s trained area Master Gardeners, local tree The banner (graphic image to the
professionals and impacted citizens on tree health assessment, right) has been used at multiple
safety and replacement options. events and placed first as part of a
larger tree informational exhibit at
An Extension publication was “fast-tracked” for distribution in the Cullman County Fair. The
utility bills. Spinoff products included a poster and retractable county fair exhibit was viewed by
banners. approximately 40,000 visitors.
Activities
Immediately following the storm, media materials were
developed and disseminated via newspaper, television,
social media and the web. Most of the immediate response
information was related to safety concerns and tree health
assessment.
Soon after the storms a workshop was conducted for tree
care professionals, Master Gardener volunteers and
impacted homeowners. The main emphasis of the workshop
was tree safety concerns, assessment of tree recovery
potential and making wise replacement choices.
A new publication entitled, “Tree Selection, Planting & Care”
was developed. Spinoff products included the development
of an 11X17:inch poster for display boards. Also, two 6-foot Acknowledgements
tall retractable banners (pictured above) were developed for
statewide use at tree related events or for fair displays. Thanks to the following for making this project
successful: ACES state staff, the Alabama
The Cullman County Extension office partnered with the local Nursery and Landscape Association and the
tree commission, Arbor Day foundation, and the Alabama Cullman County Extension staff.. Contact
Forestry Commission to supply research based information Tony Glover at gloveta@aces.edu for more
Typical storm damaged landscape during a tree give away event that distributed 8,000 trees. information about this project.