LUFC Louisiana Urban Forestry Council

As of June 1st, we have entered the 2009 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season.  While hurricane specialists and governmental organizations predict a “normal” hurricane season, all it takes is one hurricane to truly do damage to a region (remember 1992 and Hurricane Andrew?)

Since we are not in the “meat” of the season, today is the perfect time to begin your last-minute preparations for your trees and property for any possible storms that may make landfall near your home and/or business.  Prepare by simply looking at your trees around your property.  Determine if there are any hazardous situations (i.e., rotting limbs, branches overhanging rooftops) where immediate attention could prevent greater damage if a storm hits your area.

To really make sure your trees are ready for the hurricane season, consider getting a professional to take a look at your trees and to give you recommendations on what you should do to mitigate any possible storm damage.  The money you spend today will save you lots of money in the long-term, especially if a storm hits your area.

For a listing of certified professional arborists, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has a listing on their website (see http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/AES/Horticulture/ARL.pdf).

It is important that you take action now!

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Urban Forestry Council, welcome to the Council’s newly redesigned website!

Forests, whether in an urban, rural or coastal setting, impact our daily lives.  We often take these precious resources for granted.  The devastation following the 2005 and 2008 hurricanes (Gustav and Ike) remind us how fragile and important these “sentinels of history” are to us and our communities.  Thanks to funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Hurricane Supplemental Grant Program following the 2005 landfalls of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Council embarked on an ambitious campaign to enhance our website to improve the environment and the health of our citizens.
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