Assessing Fire-Damaged Trees
When assessing fire-damaged trees, important steps in the process include evaluating crown scorch, cambium health, and root damage. Key indicators of mortality include high rates of needle consumption, charred bark around the entire trunk, and dead, brittle buds. While many trees, particularly thick-barked species, can survive moderate scorching, those with more than a certain percentage of crown scorch or severe basal wounding are at higher risk of death.
Further, post-fire injured trees often succumb to secondary pests. Our firm, through specialized techniques and technology, can determine how many trees were alive before and after fire incidents and the approximate value of the sustained damage.
Additional Tips:
Evaluate Crown Scorch: Estimate the percentage of the foliage that is brown/orange (scorched) vs. green. Trees with 50-90% crown scorch may survive, but those with nearly 100% scorch or consumed needles are unlikely to.
Check Buds and Twigs (Weeks): Cut open buds with a knife; bright green indicates life, while dry, brown interiors suggest death.
Inspect Cambium/Bark (Immediate): Peel bark to check the cambium (inner bark). It should be white or green, not brown or dry. Check for charred, deep wounds at the base.
Identify Beetle Activity (1-3 Months): Look for bark beetle infestation (fine boring dust, pitch tubes) in the months following a fire, as they often attack stressed trees.
Monitor for Re-sprouting (Spring): Many species (e.g., oaks) may resprout from the trunk or base, even if the top is dead.
Wait to Remove: Delay removing, if safe, as some trees may take up to a year to show they are dead or dying.
Contact us today for your post-fire damage assessment needs at 888.298.3973
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