Some Characteristics of Forest Snow Damage

Abstract

Snow damage is one of the most disastrous of wide varieties of forest disasters. Wet snow on the 15-16th of January 1972, brought disaster to the eastern districts of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. In Tsuyama, Miyagi precture, the core place of the so-called Tsuyama Sugi (Cryptomeraa japonica), Sugi have been planted since around 1900. Even the stout trees of 20 years and over of age were fallen by snow. The forest damages by heavy snow are different between the coniferous trees and broad-leaves, and the former damages are much severe.
At the mention of aftermath of the forest snow disaster, some damaged wood were chipped for the fiber-using industries and some others were used for timber in paddy field. On the other hand, the local government called for help of the Self-Defence Forces to raise the fallen trees, while many foresters were demanding financial and technical helps of the local government.