Ice and forest health

Abstract

In January 1998, a major ice storm damaged millions of urban and rural forest acres in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. A total of 37 counties across the four-state region were designated Federal disaster areas. This article evaluates the storm 's influence on general northeastern forest health. It presents a diagnosis of the damage, a prognosis of short- and long-term effects, and a prescription for management and research opportunities.