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hurricane

Nature Uprooted

December 4, 2012 by The Inside Press

By Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

Around 4 a.m. on Monday, October 29, Bill Davies’s phone started ringing. The co-owner of Westchester Tree Life was ready. Thanks to accurate weather forecasts, he had already begun preparations for Hurricane Sandy and had taken precautions during the previous week to insure that his firm was well equipped to provide assistance to as many homeowners as possible. The equipment was in excellent working condition and crews had been working feverishly; steeling up weak trees and pruning.

Increased profits were far from Davies’s mind as he began assigning workers and divvying up tasks. “I hate seeing storms like this,” he noted. “Our business is preservation.” He spoke with reverence about the many trees his firm has planted and maintained for 27 years. To this avid hiker, seeing so many of them destroyed was devastating.

The destruction left in Sandy’s wake, gave Davies pause. As a veteran of his industry, he has definitely noticed a dramatic change in the severity of storms. “The four or five worst storms have occurred in the past two and a half years,” Davies said. The greatest number of sizable trees–in terms of diameter–were lost in this storm than ever before.

In Davies’s eyes, the character of the entire area has been altered by the storm, leaving a leafy suburb in need of reforestation. “It changes the whole suburban woodlot,” Davies began. “If I could suggest one thing to property owners, I’d say start to replace.” He urges everyone to place a high priority on replanting at least one or two trees a year to reconstitute landscapes.

Instead of rushing to replant here and there, Davies prefers a measured approach. As a certified arborist, he counsels people on choosing sturdy, disease resistant replacements and stresses the importance of “diversity.” When blights strike, an entire species can be wiped out. By choosing a variety of trees, the homeowner mitigates the chances of massive loss. An optimal mix also includes trees of different ages. While Davies cited oaks, maples and sycamores as being viable choices, he also stressed that different types will thrive on every site.

Wind Power

The process of deciding whether damaged trees can be saved is a delicate one. In last year’s October storm, heavy snow took a toll on many branches. This kind of destruction meant that many more trees could be saved. In contrast, vast numbers of trees were toppled by gusts of 75 to 80 miles per hour during Hurricane Sandy. “With enough wind, even healthy trees can fail,” Davies observed. Large numbers of white pines and Norway spruce fell due to their shallow roots.

Topography also played a major role during Sandy. Davies explained that many of the old oaks in Chappaqua are located on hillsides. The strength of their root systems is hindered by growing in rocks, thus rendering them too weak to resist gale force winds.

Two weeks after the storm, activity changed to clean-up mode. Due to the extraordinary amount of mulch generated from the fallen trees, it is first hauled away from individual sites and then picked up by a contractor. For those looking ahead to preparing beds in the spring or cushioning playgrounds, mulch may be left on site.

The environmental impact of the storm was monumental. The loss of so many trees means an increase in erosion. This affects not only the individual homeowner but their neighbors as well. “That’s why there’s a tree permit law,” Davies observed. This regulation requires property owners to obtain a permit before removing any trees.

Tree companies were definitely not the only ones working tirelessly in the aftermath of the storm. Workers from utility, cable, phone and heating companies flooded the area. Davies noted that everyone cooperated and helped each other whenever possible. His firm made sure that driveways were clear so that other workers could gain access to damaged properties.

On the subject of prevention, Davies mentioned the importance of having a solid maintenance program in place. One of the techniques his workers used before the storm was cabling. By securing elements of a tree together with cables, the entire structure is fortified. Another tool is the resistograph; a device that checks for decay. When significant weakness is detected, removal is recommended.

As the pace of his work slowed down a wee bit, Davies took a moment to reflect. “Go see the Bedford Oak,” he exhorted. This approximately 500-year-old treasure still reigns at the intersection of Hook Road and Old Bedford Road.

Sarah Ellen Rindsberg knows the importance of preventive maintenance first hand after losing a car to a tree.

Photo by Peter Martin

Filed Under: After Hurricane Sandy Tagged With: hurricane, Sandy, Storm, trees

Calamity Averted

December 4, 2012 by The Inside Press

By Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

On Wednesday, November 21, Bernard Foster was surveying his property at 550 Millwood Road, with an eye toward the future.  A representative from his insurance company was on site, assessing the damage inflicted during Hurricane Sandy.  A total of four humongous trees fell on top of the house, miraculously missing the invaluable occupant within.

At about 6:30 p.m. on the eve of the Hurricane, Foster was fortuitously preparing dinner in the kitchen, when he heard an extraordinarily loud noise.  “I had an unexpected guest,” Foster noted with a grin.  After he realized what had transpired and how lucky he had been, Foster began searching for a flashlight.  Fortunately, his bed was untouched so he lay down to rest.  “I slept soundly,” he recalled.

Foster had called the police on his cellphone as had his two sons, who asked them to check on their father.  First responders were unable to reach him due to downed power lines and blocked roads.

The next day, Foster, an intrepid 89-year-old man trudged up the hill behind his house to visit his next door neighbors, the de Stefanis family.   Francesca de Stefanis had invited  him to come over before the hurricane hit.  He answered, “Don’t worry, I’m fine,”  de Stefanis related.  When he appeared at her door on Tuesday morning, she prevailed upon him to spend the night –with warmth provided by friendship and a generator. The neighbors have been close for many years continuing the friendship first established by de Stefanis’s in-laws who had previously owned her home.

Mario de Stefanis rigged a sturdy rope to facilitate the journey through the woods.  The next day they descended to gather Foster’s precious possessions and clothing.

Standing outside the wreckage, Foster smiled.  “This has become a tourist attraction.  People stop by and can’t believe their eyes,” he said.

This veteran of the Second World War witnessed destruction far greater than this as a member of the Eighth Air Force.  Today, rebuilding is foremost in his mind.  He has resided here since 1973 and truly values the community.  “I love the library and the senior center,” Foster said.  He is eager to resume his train rides to and from the city to partake of the opera, Philharmonic and museums.

Filed Under: After Hurricane Sandy Tagged With: hurricane, Sandy

Bet Torah Volunteers Deliver Supplies to Sandy’s Hard Hit

November 13, 2012 by The Inside Press

Bet Torah Nursery Board Community Outreach chairs Jill Heller and Orly Denker coordinated a caravan of caring delivering two vans full of needed supplies to the UJA Hurricane Sandy Relief Collection. Nursery School families rallied and donated diapers, formula, cleaning supplie, coats, household goods, and other needed supplies for families in Long Island, Staten Island, and the Rockaways.

Filed Under: Sponsor News! Tagged With: donations, hurricane, Sandy

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