Storm Recovery from July 1st, 2011 Storm
Salvaging Damaged Trees

Many landowners are left with damaged woodlands after the July 1st windstorm in northwest Wisconsin – this page is designed to help in finding the resources you need for a successful recovery.

The July 1st, 2011 windstorm occurred across Polk, Burnett, Washburn, Douglas and Bayfield counties and left many landowners, like you, with major damage to their woodlands. The salvage (or harvesting) of blown down timber is critical to reduce insect problems, encourage regeneration, and reduce fuel loads for wildfire potential.

• View a map of the damaged area [exit DNR] - NOAA website, including aerial photographs.
• Information about the storms and visual appearance [exit DNR] - also available from the NOAA website.
• Managing Storm Damaged Woods [PDF, 75KB] - adapted by William Klase, UWEX Educator.
• Storm Damage Area Maps
  • Northern Region [PDF, 3.3 MB]
  • Burnett, Polk, and Washburn Counties [PDF, 2.3 MB]
  • Ashland, Bayfield, and Douglas Counties [PDF, 2.5 MB]
• View GIS and high resolution Forester Maps of the affected areas

Find Help

Do you need a Tree Service or a Forester?

Download this flyer to find out:

And in addition, this companion document:

The Salvage Process

Landowners should begin the process immediately as demand for professional help will be widespread. However, although there may be significant damage, the timber will likely remain valuable and merchantable over the next year. So, while you should begin this process now, be sure to allocate an adequate amount of time in the planning stages to ensure a successful timber sale.

Be Aware

A few tips to consider when dealing with independent contractors:

1. Get References from other landowners that have worked with the forester or logger you are thinking of dealing with. Visit previous logging jobs if possible.
2. Get a contract that’s designed to protect your interests! Review the contract BEFORE signing it.
3. During the harvest, stay out of harms way but make yourself visible. Ask questions of the logger. Be careful not to interfere with the logging operation, but your presence and interest (or oversight from a Cooperating Forester) can help assure the job is done right.
4. Work with loggers who are properly trained in logging safety and Wisconsin Best Management Practices. If available in your area, consider contracting with a Wisconsin Certified Master Logger or an SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative) qualified logger.

Enlisting the Help of Professional Foresters

Most landowners will benefit from the assistance of a qualified forester in determining the cutting specifications and marketing of their wood. Foresters are available to assist in all aspects of the salvage and beyond. If your woodlot has scattered damage, you may wish to have a forester examine it to determine if additional trees should be marked for harvest along with the salvage.

Information on how to choose a forester:

• How to hire a consulting forester [exit DNR]

Lists of cooperating consulting and industrial foresters that DNR foresters distribute in their respective counties:

• Polk Cooperating Forester List [PDF, 53KB]
• Burnett Cooperating Forester List [PDF, 47KB]
• Washburn Cooperating Forester List [PDF, 120KB]
• Douglas Cooperating Forester List [PDF, 24KB]
• Bayfield Cooperating Forester List [PDF, 26KB]

Contracting Directly with a Logger

Should you choose to forego the help of a professional forester and contract directly with a logger, this sample timber sale contract and information are available for use:

• Sample Timber Sale Contract [PDF, 105KB]
• Understanding a Timber Sale Contract [PDF, 362KB]
• Conducting a Successful Timber Sale [PDF 1.7MB]

Lists of loggers known to be working in the storm damaged counties: (The Department of Natural Resources presents these lists with no intended endorsement of particular private loggers, their qualifications, or services rendered. DNR does not guarantee or warrant the performance of these contractors. No criticism is implied of private contractors not listed.)

• Polk Logger List [PDF, 14KB]
• Burnett-Washburn Logger List [PDF, 57KB]
• Douglas Logger List [PDF, 42KB]
• Bayfield Logger List [PDF, 44KB]

Contractors Cutting Blowdown [PDF, 31KB]

Yard Tree Services

For help dealing with hazardous yard trees, contact a trained arborist (“tree service company”) who specialize in pruning, removal and other hazard tree mitigation work:

• NW WI Certified Commercial Arborists [PDF, 65KB]

Submitting Cutting Notices

County cutting notice - Prior to any harvesting, you will need to file a County Cutting Notice with your County Clerk’s Office. Removal of forest products from tax delinquent lands is not allowed. Coordinate with your consulting forester or logger to determine who will complete this form. Contact your county clerk’s office/website to obtain a form:

• Washburn County [exit DNR]
• Burnett County [exit DNR]
• Polk County [exit DNR]
• Douglas County [exit DNR]
• Bayfield County [exit DNR]

State cutting notices on MFL/FCL lands - If your property is in the Managed Forest Law or Forest Crop Law program, a Cutting Notice must be submitted to your DNR forester 30 days before cutting begins. The DNR forester will review the proposed cutting to ensure it is consistent with sound forest management prior to approval. Other mandatory practices may be revised by mutual consent of the landowner and the DNR as a result of silvicultural requirements, catastrophic occurrence, or other changing conditions. If liquidating a stand because of catastrophic loss, the DNR can assist you in meeting the requirements of the MFL/FCL.

• MFL-FCL Cutting Notice [PDF, 219KB]

Salvage Harvesting Guidance

Many resources are available to landowners, foresters, and loggers to responsibly harvest woodlands in Wisconsin. Given the widespread damage, however, some generally accepted forestry practices will not be applicable or consistent with management goals following the storm. Here are some of the common resources people rely on for forest management information and examples of modifications that may be necessary.

Invasive species thrive with disturbance and are easily moved on equipment and during any recovery activity. Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Invasive Species provide considerations for harvesting timber without promoting the spread of invasive plants, pests, or diseases. This manual was developed offering many options to choose from so your practices fit the situation. It is critical to consider invasive species during recovery to minimize the spread and ensure that recovery will happen efficiently. More information on the Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species can be found at: council.wisconsinforestry.org/invasives/forestry.php

Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Quality can provide guidance on methods to harvest timber that protect water quality. Given the widespread damage, some BMPs may not be applicable to the salvage operations. For instance, the BMPs recommend maintaining 60 s.f. of basal area per acre in Riparian Management Zones (RMZs); however, there may not be that much standing timber left following the blowdown. In those instances, it will not be possible to meet that BMP. More information on Forestry BMPs for Water Quality is available at: dnr.wi.gov/forestry/Usesof/bmp/bmptoc.htm

Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs) are used when the whole tree is harvested. In general, it is desirable to retain a certain amount of tree tops and limbs on site to provide wildlife habitat and protect soil nutrient levels. However given the nature and location of this storm, it is recommended that for salvage operations, the entire damaged tree be harvested to lower the risk of wildfire and to prevent the outbreak of insects. The BHGs recognize that under certain circumstances, retaining woody material on site may not be consistent with management objectives, in this case, lowering wild fire risks and preventing insect infestations. More information on Biomass Harvesting Guidelines is available at: council.wisconsinforestry.org/biomass

Local DNR Forester Information

For more information contact a DNR forester in your area:

Landowner Links for Help with Timber Salvage

• Wisconsin - Tree Farm [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association [exit DNR]

Landowner Links for Help with Financial and Tax tips

• Light on the Land workshop / field day [exit DNR]
  Please scroll down to the "Light on the Land" project

Reforestation Help

• Reforestation Information Sheet [PDF, 264KB]
• State buying Jack Pine seed [PDF, 11KB]
• Landowners suffering severe damage may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Forest Restoration Program [PDF, 37KB].

Contact your County Emergency Management Office

To obtain more information related to personal safety during the storm recovery process.