An expert’s tips on the best trees to replant after Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Across the CSRA, we saw thousands of trees come down due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Some property owners are already asking the question of what they should plant next.
We caught up with Campbell Vaughn with the University of Georgia to see what’s best.
S.C. electric cooperatives push to make power grids stronger
While South Carolina electric co-ops are working to identify places to bury power lines, they’re also installing redundant power systems.
Many of our neighborhoods will never look the same after Helene.
Vaughn is the UGA extension coordinator for Richmond County.
He estimates we lost around 10% of the trees in Augusta, significantly more than the ice storm in 2014.
“10 times worse, easily. The sheer volume and level of destruction. People’s houses got beat up and some were damaged in the ice storm, but I bet we have a couple thousand houses that are going to be borderline destroyed,” Vaughn said.
New westbound lane opens at state line as I-20 project continues
If you hit the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 at the state line on Monday morning, you might’ve noticed another lane is open.
A frequent question Vaughn is receiving from residents is how to get privacy back in their yard.
“A lot of good Evergreens to plant. Chindo Viburnum, Magnolias are not bad. A lot of different Hollies are good, Easter Red Cedar is good,” said Vaughn.
DEBRIS DROP-OFF:
- The Augusta landfill will extend its Saturday hours to assist Richmond County residents with debris disposal. Nov. 2 hours: 6-10 a.m., regular operations; all waste; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., storm vegetation debris only, no commercial customers.
Even though they are popular, he does caution against Leyland Cypress.
“It’s got a number of issues. They don’t last well or grow well in our area. It is like living fast and dying young with them. They’re going to get big real quick and then be gone in 15 years so they’re not worth it,” he said.
The Tulip Poplar is also one of his favorites for replacing big shade trees.
A month after Helene, here’s an update on FEMA assistance
A month after Hurricane Helene swept through the region, here's a look at how much assistance the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided.
“I love going to the Tulip Poplar. It’s one of the fastest canopy trees out there. It gets up, puts a big canopy up and just grows fast,” said Vaughn.
Vaughn has also set up an email for residents to send in pictures of big trees to help document some of our lost history.
Community Foundation crisis fund reaches $2.3 million for CSRA Helene relief
Helene did a number on the CSRA, but people in and around the community have continued to step up even a month after the hurricane.
“I would love to see what the circumference is, what the diameter is and see if you can find the rings. You hate to see this stuff ground up and put away and forgotten. You want to know what is out there,” he said.
To submit pictures to Vaughn, email [email protected].
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
