PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - John K. Francis AU - Andrew J.R. Gillespie TI - Relating Gust Speed to Tree Damage in Hurricane Hugo, 1989 AID - 10.48044/jauf.1993.057 DP - 1993 Nov 01 TA - Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) PG - 368--372 VI - 19 IP - 6 4099 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/19/6/368.short 4100 - http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/19/6/368.full SO - JOA1993 Nov 01; 19 AB - From 17 through 19 September 1989 Hurricane Hugo passed through the Antilles from Guadalupe to Puerto Rico, causing severe damage to ornamental and shade trees. Damage to 1226 trees of 81 species on 18 urban and rural sites was related to maximum wind gust speeds. Damage (defoliation, minor branch breakage, major branch breakage, trunk snap, and tipping) began at gust speeds of about 60 km/hr, increased rapidly with gust speeds to about 130 km/hr, and although highly variable, did not worsen at higher gust speeds. The most severe forms of damage are apparently avoided if the crown surface area is reduced quickly by loss of leaves and twigs. Palms were more wind resistant than broadleaved trees