Hail TYPICAL DAMAGE Information on weather-readyHail landscapes Information on weather-ready landscapes

WHAT IS IT? Type of Damage The frequency of hail in the U.S. is greatest stated here in the Great Plains due to a higher elevation The(closer frequency to freezing of level). hail inHail the forms U.S. when is greatest rain/ice in the Greatparticles Plains are carried due toin the a higher updrafts elevation and downdrafts (closerin thunderstorms to freezing colliding level). and freezing onto one Hailanother, forms while when growing rain/ice into larger particles pieces are of ice. carried in the updrafts and downdrafts in thunderstorms colliding and freezing onto one another, while growing into Type of Damage stated here larger pieces of ice. An average of 70% of hail reports in Nebraska occur from May-July (1955-2015).

AnFrom average 2003-2012, there of were70% 7-11 of severe hail hail reportsdays (>1.0” hail in within Nebraska 25 miles of occur from May-Julyany point) per year(1955-2015). in Nebraska. From 2003-2012, there were 7-11 severe hail days (>1.0” hail within 25 miles of any point) Typical Damage: Impact from hailstones can per year in Nebraska. damage leaves, stems and fruit. The size of the hailstone, the amount of hail, time of year, and Number of days per year, within 25 miles of any point from 1986-2015: Number of days per year, within 25 miles of the wind speed plays a big role in the amount of any point from 1986-2015: Typical damageDamage: Impact to from plant hailstones material. can damage leaves, stems and fruit. The size of the hailstone, the amount of hail, time of year, and the > > wind speed plays a big role in the amount of damage to plant material. 1 Utilize corrective 2 Cut off severely 3 Remove hail Hail 1.0” Hail 2.0” pruning of broken damaged flowers damaged fruit S Neb 5+ days S Neb 1 day branches if it is and stems with a or vegetables if N Neb 3-4 days N Neb 0.6 days safe to do so from by-pass hand pruner damage is severe PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS the ground or just above a node. before rot begins. Protecting your plants against hail is no easy task Source: StormSource: Storm Prediction Prediction Center Center PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS hire an arborist. To protect against hail, cover up as much as possible. 4 Remove severely hail 5 Replant annual flowers 6 Avoid fertilization until damaged leaves, but that do not have any the plant recovers. leave most leaves as the remaining foliage or green tissue is needed show signs of recovery 1 Remove any dead, damage 2 Bring potted plants and trees 3 Hoops with floating row cover or diseased tree branches as to a temporary protected can help prevent hail damage to for photosynthesis to within a week. Keep soils around the you see them. location or cover plant vegetable crops. 7 material with large empty pots help plant recovery. plant evenly moist, or empty containers until the threat of hail has passed. (In other words, not soggy or dry. avoid excessive plant pruning/leaf removal). 1 Remove any dead, 2 Bring potted plants and 3 Hoops with floating row 8 Mulch with wood chips to 9 Monitor plants for damage or diseases tree trees to a temporary cover can help prevent avoid weed competition signs of cankers on branches as you see protected location or hail damage to and to moderate soil twigs/branches; them. cover plant material vegetable crops. temperature and moisture. prune these out. with large empty pots or empty containers until the threat of hail has passed. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Hail (Continued) TYPICAL DAMAGE

Changing temps can alter the effects of hail

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Once the hail has passed, remember to trim where needed.

Utilize corrective pruning of Cut off severely damaged Remove hail damaged fruit broken branches if it is safe to flowers and stems with a by- or vegetables if damage is do so from the ground or hire an pass hand pruner just above a severe before rot begins. arborist. node.

Avoid excessive leaf removal Replant annual flowers that Avoid fertilization until the and pruning. Remove severely do not have any remaining plant recovers. hail damaged leaves, but try to foliage or show signs of leave as much green tissue as recovery within a week. possible which is needed for photosynthesis and plant recovery.

Keep soils around the plant Mulch with wood chips to Monitor plants for signs of evenly moist, not soggy or dry. avoid weed competition and to cankers on twigs/branches; moderate soil temperature and prune these out moisture

For more information, visit weather-ready.unl.edu/landscapes

Written by John Fech, Kelly Feehan, Elizabeth Killinger, David Lott, Ashley Mueller, & Tyler Williams I © 2018 The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment