TDA Releases Tornado Forest Impact Survey Results

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry recently released survey results of forests impacted by the February tornados. The survey concluded that approximately 8,215 acres of forestland were damaged with an estimated timber value of $10.3 million.“In addition to the potential timber losses to landowners, future forest damage could occur as a result of secondary insect and disease problems, which could likewise result in an increase in fuel loading that will ultimately make fire suppression more difficult over the next few years,” said State Forester Steven Scott. “The Division of Forestry is continually working to help Tennesseans conserve and improve their forests, and we look forward to working with forest landowners affected by storm damage.”

Over the past two months, the Division of Forestry conducted ground and aerial surveys over thirteen of the most severely affected counties to locate and determine the extent of tornado damage to forestlands.  Benton, Hardin, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Macon, Madison, McNairy, Perry, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale and Williamson counties were included in the surveys.

Areas having less than 15 percent of trees affected were not included in this survey. There were areas with little or no damage within the main paths of the tornados, indicating some storms traveled alternatively between air and ground.  The surveys also indicated that there was minimal damage to young forest stands, which primarily contain trees of small size.

As with many natural disasters affecting forestlands, much of the timber damaged or destroyed may not be salvaged due to the relatively small amount found within the boundaries of many individual landowners, or due to the damage characteristics such as breaking, splitting and twisting of individual trees which renders them unsellable.  However, in other cases, opportunities for salvage do exist and will continue to exist until June or July when staining and decay set in.

The TDA’s Division of Forestry along with the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Tree Farm Committee are working to help citizens salvage timber. This month, The University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Tree Farm Committee will host three workshops addressing questions forest landowners may have about tax treatment of timber casualty loss as a result of the recent tornados. The workshops take place April 21 in Lewis County, April 22 in Macon County and May 12 in Madison County. All of the workshops will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Landowners, foresters and tax accountants are encouraged to attend. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required. For more information and registration contact the respective county University of Tennessee County Extension office.

TDA’s Division of Forestry staff are always available for more information and assistance at 615-837-5520 or by visiting http://tn.gov/agriculture/forestry.