Urban Forest Strike Team to assess damage in Bentonville

An Urban Forest Strike Team will begin work the week of February 27-March 6 in Bentonville. The strike team, requested by the City of Bentonville, will evaluate publicly-owned trees damaged by the recent ice storm and collect data to be used in applying for FEMA reimbursement. The Urban Forest Strike Team is a project of the Southern Group of State Foresters.

The strike team consists of five crews of certified arborists trained for post-disaster assessment of trees for public risk. Assisting with this effort are Mike Bender, Public Works Director, and Mike Hughes, Engineering Director. Crews and vehicles will be marked Urban Forest Strike Team (UFST). Trees assessed will be marked with a small paint “dot” that indicates eligibility for FEMA debris reimbursement. Orange indicates a tree removal (i.e. extensive damage), and white indicates tree pruning (i.e. broken limb removal). The areas to be assessed include city parks and some street trees.

Communities receiving this support benefit by having trained professionals provide tree management information in a timely manner for response and recovery.

 “I can’t think of a better example of where citizen tax monies are spent more effectively for the greater good for the greater number than through this program” said Robert Epperson, Director of Parks Operations for the City of Baton Rouge. The strike team provided support after Hurricane Gustav quickly overwhelmed their local resources.

Strike team arborists assisting with this effort represent the following states and/or organizations: Arkansas Forestry Commission, Texas Forest Service, North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, Virginia Department of Forestry, Fairfax County, Virginia and the USDA Forest Service.

For homeowners concerned about damaged trees on their property, AFC recommends hiring a certified arborist with proof of insurance, and warns homeowners to be wary of drive-by tree services. For more information on finding a certified arborist, ice storm cleanup and tree health, visit the Arkansas Forestry Commission web site at www.arkansasforestry.org, or call (501) 296-1940. Mike Bender can be reached at 271-6720, and Mike Hughes can be reached at 271-5941.