implementing a tree
care ordinance, desig-
nating tree authority,
and sustaining at least
$2 USD ($2.63 CAD)
per capita annual bud-
get for trees. The ADF
Tree City USA standard
reminds the community
and decision makers
that trees are essential.
The development of an
ordinance is important
because it establishes
how trees are handled
on a daily basis as well
as after a storm. The
most effective ordi-
nances prohibit tree
topping and ensure
local oversight, via a
business registry, over
who prunes trees in the community.
Assistance from the state comes in partnership with
the USDA Forest Service federal funding for state pro-
grams and their outreach with partners. Additionally,
the professional efforts of the International Society of
Arboriculture and their state chapters (like the Illinois
Arborist Association) have established tree trimming
standards that should be in place long before the storm
strikes. Even with all this preplanning, when the big storm
comes, response and recovery still takes a team effort.
Response through Mutual Aid
In the Midwest, it is neighbor-help-neighbor when it
comes to storms. Through mutual aid agreements, com-
munities have established contracts with one another.
Mutual aid entails different government agencies working
together during an emergency to provide resources and
technical expertise, regardless of which agency has juris-
diction for the incident. In a mutual aid situation, agencies
agree to assist each other, crossing jurisdictional bound-
aries and pooling resources to achieve a common goal.
1
Since 2009, Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network
(IPWMAN)
2
has stepped forward as the statewide
mutual aid system for all public works agencies in >>
State Forestry
Agencies and U.S.
Forest Service
Collaborate on New
Edition of Storms over
the Urban Forest
Coordinators for state urban and
community forestry programs
have important roles to play
before, during, and after severe
storms. They provide training
opportunities and help cities
and towns form tree boards and
commissions to grow more resil-
ient trees and urban forests that
are free of visible hazards. They
also help communities plan for
storm response operations and
realize the benefits of mutual aid
agreements like that of the Illinois
Public Works Mutual Aid Network
(IPWMAN) described in this article.
State forestry agencies have col-
laborated with the U.S. Forest
Service over the past year to revise
the third edition of Storms over
the Urban Forest. First published in
1993, this new manual will feature
updated information on the value
of protecting trees and forests,
steps to prepare for the chaos
of storms, and best practices in
planning and management to mit-
igate potential storm damage. The
online version, which will be avail-
able in October, 2018 on www.
VibrantCitiesLab.com, will feature
many resources and links, includ-
ing the advice of your peers who
have weathered the storm. For
the publication launch, you can
submit your own stories and
advice at StormStories@fs.fed.us.
IPWMAN Member Ottawa
received assistance after its
February 2017 tornado, and
it likewise offers assistance to
other member communities.
www.urban-forestry.com 19
