Tornado recovery effort to target lost trees, shrubs from storm

Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review
·2 min read
Pictured are some downed trees along Illinois Avenue near Petoskey Street after the May 20 tornado. The Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group will work with Huron Pines to replace some of the trees and shrubs lost in the storm.
Pictured are some downed trees along Illinois Avenue near Petoskey Street after the May 20 tornado. The Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group will work with Huron Pines to replace some of the trees and shrubs lost in the storm.

GAYLORD — Besides the houses and buildings that were damaged in last year's tornado, the storm also changed the landscape of Gaylord as the area lost a significant amount of trees and shrubbery.

In an effort to replace the greenery, Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group is working with the conservation organization Huron Pines to "Green Gaylord." A spokesman for Huron Pines said the organization will provide guidance on choosing native tree varieties, proper planting techniques, and after care.

Erin Mann, disaster recovery coordinator for the group, said thanks to the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local law enforcement "we know the path of the tornado. We have a pretty good understanding of the neighborhoods and places where the tornado hit or were affected by high winds from it."

Gaylord Long Term Recovery is seeking those who lost trees and shrubs in the storm. Mann said the only requirements for this program is that someone lives in one of the neighborhoods or areas that was affected by the tornado and are willing to commit to taking care of the trees and bushes they are given.

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A woman stands surrounded by downed trees in her yard in Gaylord on Monday, May 23, 2022, following the EF-3 tornado, which ripped through with winds at 150 mph, hit the area damaging many of the surrounding homes.
A woman stands surrounded by downed trees in her yard in Gaylord on Monday, May 23, 2022, following the EF-3 tornado, which ripped through with winds at 150 mph, hit the area damaging many of the surrounding homes.

The loss of trees and other green amenities is most noticeable when you drive down certain streets, including Center, North Ohio or Petoskey, said Mann.

"It was sad that some people lost trees that their parents or grandparents had planted. There is a lot of attachment to trees because you watch them grow over a long period of time," she added.

Anyone who lost trees or shrubs in the storm is encouraged to fill out an online form so the recovery group can get a better idea of what is needed for replacement.

"We have received about 20 responses so far," said Mann.

Mann said the recovery group and Huron Pines plan to replace many of the trees on May 19.

"The city has zoning requirements and we want to make sure we are planting trees and shrubs that are native to our community," she added.

Greening the community is important, noted Mann.

"I think people fall in love with Northern Michigan because it is so beautiful and trees are a big reason why. We did lose a lot of trees and it is important that we put back that part of the eco system," Mann said.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Tornado recovery effort to target lost trees, shrubs in Gaylord