AS Storm Goretti bears down on Jersey with near-violent winds, tree experts are urging Islanders to look beyond loose garden furniture and think about what’s growing overhead.
Storm Ciarán, which struck in November 2023, brought hurricane-strength winds that uprooted thousands of trees and devastated parks, reservoirs and green spaces across the Island.
The scale of damage last year was believed to exceed that of the 1987 storm, which felled an estimated 20,000 trees.
The Railway Walk, a popular path for walkers, runners and cyclists which stretches from St Aubin to Corbière, was among the hardest-hit areas, with up to 400 trees damaged or toppled.
Fallen trees required specialist equipment to clear them, and the pathway itself was left heavily damaged, which meant that contractors had to be hired to completely resurface the path.
Storm Ciarán also impacted areas such as the Val de la Mare reservoir and Coronation Park.
At Val de la Mare, the Australasian Collection trees planted in 1975 were completely destroyed.
Coronation Park lost half of its trees, including many dating back to the original plantings in 1935 and replacements after the Great Storm of 1987.
Since then, more than 10,000 trees have been planted to replace those lost by Jersey Trees for Life, who were preparing for impact yesterday.
The organisation’s chief executive, Alex Morel, explained that the start of a project to plant trees in the new Coronation Playing Fields may have to be delayed as a result.
Reflecting on what impact Islanders might notice in their gardens and how they might be able to prepare for the storm, Mrs Morel commented:
“…We would encourage people to maintain their trees all year round, such as clearing ivy in the crown.
“Most trees naturally shed their leaves at this time of year, but ivy can act like a sail and add weight, which can bring a tree down in strong winds.
“Pruning trees and clearing ivy to reduce their density is a big help, so is staking young trees in exposed locations.”
She also moved to reassure Islanders that a fallen tree does not always mean a dead tree.
“…If a tree does fall over, please give us a call because it does not necessarily mean it is the end of the tree.
“They are amazingly resilient and a toppled tree can often be propped up and grow back.”
More information and contact details can be found on the Jersey Trees for Life website.
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