Blowing in the Wind: Advantages of Longleaf Pine in Wind Storms

Authors: Dr. David Coyle, Lisa Lord

Windstorms, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, can cause tremendous damage to forest stands and the impacts can be felt by a landowner many years after a storm event. Hurricanes and tornadoes can decrease the volume of merchantable wood in the forest and can negatively impact or degrade many other ecosystem services offered by the forest including wildlife habitat, water quality, and carbon sequestration. The impact of hurricanes in the southeastern U.S. is expected to increase over the next several decades, and tornado frequency and intensity will continue to impact humans and the ecosystem. Despite the relative infrequency of hurricanes and tornadoes, landowners should work towards having a long-range approach to sustainable forest management in addition to managing the threats of today (which can include forest pests and competing vegetation).

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