HAIL DAMAGE TO WHITE PINE AND OTHER TREES

A hailstorm which occurred in an accessible forested area on June 25, 1954, was studied for its immediate and subsequent effects upon trees growing in the area. Considerable mortality of branch extremities and severe stem and branch lesions occurred initially on these trees. Height and diameter measurements taken in 1955 and again in 1959 revealed a slight reduction in growth of white pine trees in the hail zone when compared to the growth of non-affected trees. Several fungi which were encountered in stems and branches of various tree species apparently gained entrance to the trees via the primary hail lesions. With healing of the wounds, it was noted that little or no further development took place in underlying stained pockets of wood. In addition, many of these discolored pockets buried beneath healed lesions were found to be sterile. There appeared to be few, if any, permanent effects on trees originally wounded during a violent hailstorm.