Tree Planting Assistance after Tornado Damage In June 2014, Wessington Springs had significant tornado damage to many homes and businesses in their area as well as many of the town’s trees. In 2014, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Resource Conservation and Forestry Division (RCF) Urban Forestry program received $10,000 from the US Forest Service to fund replanting in communities that have been affected by the June 2014 storms. Soon after the storm, Aaron Wang, community forestry coordinator for RCF, toured the community with Dan Kruse, street superintendent for the City of Wessington Springs, and determined the extent of damage to the trees, assessed needs of the community and developed a tree planting plan. “The damage was significant and the trees especially had been hard hit,” said Wang. “Providing an assessment of what resources were available to the community was essential.” In July 2014, RCF foresters conducted a street tree inventory and prepared an assessment report of urban tree resources in the area. On February 5, the Wessington Springs city council voted to approve planting plans submitted by RCF and set a tentative date of May 2 for a planting event. Due to time constraints the event has been postponed to the Fall of 2015. The event will consist of planting demonstrations and workshops, ceremonial plantings with speakers, educational sessions and planting of trees around the community. Wang is currently working with the city to assemble a list of trees to plant, determine planting locations and secure volunteer assistance. RCF provides technical assistance to South Dakota communities upon request, including development of management plans, inventory assistance, tree selection and planting advice and tree care information. For more information, call Wang at 605.773.3594. Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit them online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find them on Facebook and Twitter. JUNE 2015
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