By JEFF BURBRINK
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County

GOSHEN — While our snowfall totals have not been much to talk about this winter, we have had a lot of blustery days since the beginning of the year.  Between Jan. 1, and Feb. 29, 51 of the 60 days recorded gusts over 20 miles per hour, while 33 of those 60 days averaged more than 10 miles per hour at the South Bend airport.

As you drive through the county, you can see the aftermath of these winds when you look at the forested area. The tops of many trees, especially ash tree damaged by emerald ash borer, have been broken off. Many of these branches are balancing delicately in the crowns of other trees.

Wind is a fascinating force of nature. The power of the wind increases by a factor of eight when the speed of wind is doubled. For example, a 20-mile-per-hour wind is eight times more powerful than a 10 mile per hour wind. Sustained winds of 40 miles an hour are 64 times as powerful as a 10 mph wind. That’s why so much wind damage can be seen in local woodlands.

Ash trees themselves have become a huge hazard without this wind damage, as the borer damage has made them extremely fragile. Ohio State Extension dubbed the ash tree condition, “the snaps,” a situation where an unknowing person cutting down a tree can be showered with falling limbs shaken loose by the vibrations of a chain saw. I know of several people killed, injured or paralyzed by ash tree limbs since the borer moved through our area. You have no time to react when the tree tumbles down upon you.

So, the moral of the story this year and for a few years to come will be, “be careful out there.” Before cutting down a tree, look up to see if there are limbs balancing above your head, waiting to rain down on you. If you do not have experience in removing limbs or downing trees, it may be better to find someone with experience to help you.

If you have children who enjoy playing in the woods, you might want them out of there when the wind is blustery.