The effect flooding has on trees
Article by: Renee Pylypuk
With excess water lying around after this spring’s flooding, people may be asking themselves how their trees are being affected.
The answer is simple; it depends on the tree.
Each species of tree reacts differently after being under water for a prolonged period of time.
What the water does
When water floods out an area, it fills the air spaces in the soil. This means there is no room for oxygen to get in. Without oxygen, trees cannot absorb any water or nutrients. This can halt growth and eventually kills trees and shrubs.
Trouble doesn’t just arise from stagnant water surrounding trees. The flood waters themselves can carry debris, sand, silt and chemicals picked up as runoff from farms or sewage facilities. All can be damaging to the tree or exposed roots. If tree roots are exposed, the tree becomes more at risk of being blown over or uprooted.
The longer trees are inundated, the greater their chances are of being injured.
What to plant
Some trees are more resilient to flooding than others. If planting in an area that is notoriously wet, consider planting one of the following:
• Manitoba Maple – tolerant
• Green Ash – very tolerant
• Plains Cottonwood – tolerant
• Acute Willow – very tolerant
(Source: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/)
