AAE, why do Alabama officials expect Satsumas/Pecans to be swept away...does this mean other trees will survive?

I'll have to check out the website.

It's a terrible tragedy. I've had Weather Channel on the last 3 days and feel depressed watching these ppl who have lost family and their homes.
One man lost his wife, and was so upset, tear-filled while explaining how it came about.

It's good of your wife to help out. And the Cub Scott den, too. I'm sure people of NO's need all the assistance possible. Is it safe going there at this time?
When I turned the computer on today, the headlines said they want more people to evacuate..are they allowing people access? Toni

EGO.. I do want to thank you for yor above posting. Your posting above. was the concern Satsumas (or pecans) .The people was second. I look at the news an feel so sorry for those people..Being the man you proclaim to be I would be ashamed of putting trees before people..Dale

Toni,

The reason Satsumas and Pecans are mentioned specifically is that they are our main crops for this time of year. Most of my acre of pecans are on the ground, still green. most of the chestnuts from my two trees are also down. The Satsumas (one OLD tree) are still holdin' on! I only lost a few of them. Looking forward to a sweet harvest of them.

I am East of Mobile by about 30 miles, but we got 100 mph wind gusts with PLENTY of rain.

Our damage is:
Three whole trees down. One I won't miss, two I will.
1 or 2 dumptrucks worth of branches from Pecans, Oaks and Magnolias scattered over 3 acres of lawn (sigh).
And about 20 six-foot bananas are toast. (better than I expected, actually)
4 long days without electricity, except by generator.

All in all, I think we came out pretty damn well, considering our friends in Miss. were at ground zero. Their house was erased from the earth. No trace of any belongings at all. Not even anything left for the looters!

Dale, what a psycho! Do you have to twist things around all the time? I thought that you like to keep certian topics on their certain forum. (at least thats what you yelled at me about...remember your blow up about figs?) Maybe Ego posted in the 'disaster' forum. You really need to get a life, Dale.

Casa glad you made it through ok. From what we are seeing on TV MS Al & parts of LA look like a war zone. Stay safe, possesions can be replaced.

Casa_Del_Gatos ..I feel...My 1st concern is humans, 2nd Animals Third trees an crops...How can one put forth trees before humans..Myself I could care less of the MAIN crops...Dale

Casa, I'm glad you and your family are safe and sound..100 mph winds! How did you house hold up? Any broken windows? Other damage. Do officials recommend staying in a certain part of the house, or away from anything..Like tall trees..What about lightening?
It's awful seeing and hearing the news. That one man who cried after losing his wife really got to me.
Tell me, when a tree is knocked down, is it ripped out by its roots, or the top of the tree?
I can't beleive the looters!! Some ppl find reason to steal anytime there's a tragedy..I can understand taking food, not that I condone it, it's going to be lost anyway..but when you see ppl w/tv's etc, that troubles me. Anyway, I'm happy you are fine..you're lucky you have a generator, too..They were saying some ppl would be w/o electirc 1-4 months..

Dale, naturally human beings are first priority, but AAE's statement wasn't meant to place trees before people. I'm sure he's concerned as much as anyone else..Like he said, his wife and son went there to help out. I agree with you about concern for people, animals, then crops.
We should all count our blessings we're on the computer, safe..and try getting along w/each other..if something was to happen to one of us, and a remark was said to that person, we'd feel terrible and guily. Do you know what I mean? Let's not fight, please. Toni

Dale- I'm sure AAE mentioned the trees first because this is the citrus forum. If he and his family were not as concerned about the people they would not have gone to the local red cross to donate, instead he would have donated trees. I can clearly see that you have it in for AAE and that is your problem, but I think it is tacky to do it here at this time and on this thread. Our gulf coast states look like a war zone you don't need to turn citrus into one again. Please give it a rest. And BTW their crops are important to their economy , although you could care less about the crops, it still has an impact on the people who are suffering many other losses at this time.

Foxy.

Toni - There's actually a Satsuma, Alabama -- named for the (once) prolific local crop. In recent years, they've made great strides in restoring Satsuma production in Alabama. Hopefully, Katrina won't set them back that far.

Found it. Follow the link for the Reader's Digest version of this town's history.

Here is a link that might be useful: Satsuma, AL

Actually,
I AM concerned about the citrus. Especially if someone makes a living off of it. When ones livelihood is wiped out, they have no money, therefore starve.
It would be shallow-minded to only consider people (although they are the first priority needing immediate attention). The big picture is, will they be able to get back on their feet afterwards and what can all of us do to help?

Tom

oregon_veg ,,What good is the Citrus. If you dont have the people that know how to grow them..People always first.Dale

CitrusCrazed If you would rather air your problems here . rather than e-mailing me so be it . Maybe you should review the User Agreement.In your above posting it is very clear to me. I hope this posting is clear to you . If you need any help in growing citrus. Please feel free to call If you need help with Figs go to the Fig fourm.I will look forward to your postings . You may also want to get the lastest version Reader's Digest I found the Humor section very relaxing, an funny Im sure you would also..Dale

Ditto on that Citrus Crazed. Keep your venom to yourself.

Psychos...

Dale, LIGHTEN UP!!!
The topic here is "Katrina's Damage to Citrus Crops". This is the Citrus forum. No one put trees before people.

The whole situation with agriculture is pretty sad, period. I know IÂve ranted about this in another forum. Most of our citrus is coming from overseas as well as other produce. The good news is that the American public continues to demand local produce and are becoming more aware of chemicals, etc. Not to get off topic but the more conscious the public is of this the sooner weÂll bring back local farming and the jobs that come with them.

In addition we have been hit with natural disasters. Florida is still recovering from hurricanes and then you have canker. No wonder retail citrus tree sales are doing so well. People are just tired of paying the money for bad citrus/produce. I see many people, many here in fact, that grow lots of fruit trees in containers. For some itÂs a hobby and others a necessity.

As for the Katrina situation I finally had to turn the news off. IÂm having trouble sleeping and itÂs affecting my whole body. IÂm afraid we havenÂt seen the worse of things to come.

It's not official, but a spokesman from the LSU AgCenter says that all citrus in Plaquemines Parish has likely been destroyed. Louisiana is not a huge citrus state, but it's all relative. Plaquemines Parish was responsible for $5 million in citrus production last year. The whole state produced just over $6 million in citrus. So it's safe to say that, if Plaquemines was destroyed, the citrus industry in Louisiana is gone for the time being. -- I know a grower who helped replace orange trees lost in (Plaquemines) during a hurricane in the 1960s. This is nothing new to them, but they'll have to start over nonetheless.

Here is a link that might be useful: LSU AgCenter Article

Tamara,

It's called "survivor's guilt" and it is a real and substantial problem. It's been around a long time to a smaller degree, but was increased during the first Gulf War with CNN's 24X7 coverage and then was really brought home when the Twin Towers went down.

The incredible scale of loss of life and unbelievable media saturation with horrible images played over and over again etches these scenes into our brains. Eventually, the guilt sets in: "I survived and they didn't." It is a serious emotional problem that can have physical manifestations.

The easiest and best way for anyone not living nearby to help is to donate to The Red Cross. Go to www.redcross.org and donate or call them at 1-800-HELP-NOW. Their website links to a secure payment processing site and the money will DEFINITELY do to hurricane relief.

By the way:
Do not reply to any emails saying they "represent" or "are working with" The Red Cross. The Red Cross does not use email campaigns to solicit and any you see WILL NOT BE LEGITIMATE!

Just remember, don't continuously agonize over the heartbreaking images you see and make yourself sick. Instead, concentrate on a full recovery of all afflicted areas and do what you can (even $5 helps).

Whatever the reasons for someone pitching in and helping out - no matter how much or how little - it is a positive thing!

Here is a link that might be useful: American Red Cross