Resilient Roots provides Boise residents with opportunities to take action and make a positive difference in their own neighborhoods. It engages youth leaders, migrant and refugee communities and survivors of gender-based violence in activities which promote community resilience.
Boise’s street trees tend to be small. The experts at Boise Tree Service https://boiseidtreeservice.com mentioned to maintain or increase canopy cover over time and reap its many benefits, increasing the proportion of large form species should be prioritized in planting sites.
1. Know Your Trees
Trees are an integral part of our landscape and may become vulnerable during periods of severe weather. A regular check and maintenance visit could prevent further damage or the potential loss of branches.
As part of your inspection of trees, keep an eye out for signs of decay such as cracks in trunk or major branches, dead limbs or root rot. Pruning can also increase health and storm-resistance by eliminating dead wood and decreasing crown density.
Before storms hit, it is also crucial that you trim and clear away debris from your property. Debris can become airborne during high winds during a storm and damage both homes and cars; keeping up with regular yard maintenance can reduce emergency tree services needing to be called out and keep everyone safer during a storm.
2. Prepare Your Home
Prior to any storm hitting, it’s essential that your home be adequately prepared. Doing this will give you and your family clear instructions in case severe weather strikes and requires you to either evacuate or shelter in place during an event of extreme severity.
Gather supplies that will last your family at least three days (if not longer, if possible). Make sure all household members (including pets) have nonperishable food, water and first aid for themselves and any injuries. In addition, you will require flashlights with extra batteries, portable crank or solar chargers for phone batteries as well as either battery-powered radios or hand crank radios to have.
Remove debris from your yard such as toys, furniture and any other objects that could become projectiles in high winds. Trim trees and shrubs to reduce their risk of falling onto your house. If you’re concerned about their safety, consult an arborist before making decisions regarding tree trimming decisions. Additionally, if flooding is likely in your area, invest in some sandbags from local authorities; most municipalities provide free ones at least several days ahead of a storm event.
3. Prepare Your Trees
Organization: Permaculture Outreach of Orange County This organization caters to low-income families by offering consultation and design services on a sliding scale basis, to make permaculture more accessible so people can grow their own food while decreasing waste in their yards. According to Ms. Regan: Our goal is to make permaculture an approachable reality so people can begin cultivating gardens themselves and reduce waste in their yards.”
High winds and inclement weather conditions can wreak havoc on weak or stressed trees, causing branches to snap or even the whole tree uprooting altogether. Proper tree care practices including pruning, soil care and protection help your trees cope with these adverse conditions, decreasing risks to your property as a result.
Trees most likely to thrive under harsh weather are those with strong trunks, deep root zones and low centers of gravity. Weak or damaged trees that may topple during storms include those with shallow roots, construction damage, insect/disease issues or small canopy areas; road salt is especially detrimental as it draws moisture out of soil and root systems – Boise prefers using sand instead of rock salt as snow/ice control for its trees.
4. Prepare Your Neighbors
In an emergency situation, neighbors can work together to provide one another with support by creating a meeting spot for family members who become separated during or after storms. A basement, windowless room or interior hallway would all make good meeting spots; additionally, outdoor locations like driveway ends, tree bases or neighbor’s houses might make good gathering points as well.
Knowing your neighbors is invaluable year-round, but especially after a natural disaster strikes. A united community helps cope with and recover from trauma in a much faster manner than individual households alone can.
2023 City of Trees Challenge will focus on raising greater awareness and planting trees in neighborhoods that most need them, such as those affected by poverty, health issues or other demographic factors – these efforts are spearheaded by our volunteer Tree Captains program.