Comparison of Hurricane Damage to Several Species of Urban Trees in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Percent defoliation and percent crown loss were estimated, and a count of stem failure was taken for 24 species of urban trees in San Juan following Hurricane Georges. Differences among species were significant, and detailed comparisons are presented. Wood-specific gravity, branch resistance to flexing, and leaf retention strength were measured for the study species. Many significant correlations were noted between pre-storm height, diameter, wood-specific gravity, branch resistance to flexing, leaf retention strength, defoliation, percent crown loss, and stem failure. A regression equation predicting defoliation is presented. Tree height was the most influential variable followed by branch resistance to flexing, leaf retention strength, and wood-specific gravity. If tree height was eliminated from the model, specific gravity then entered the stepwise regression first.