Hurricane Sandy proved too much for many of New Jersey's storm-damaged forests

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/hurricane_sandy_proved_too_muc.html

First came Irene in August of 2011, then Snowtober two months later.

In June of 2012 a derecho, a violent thunderstorm system, tore through South Jersey.

In October, Sandy hit.

Tens of thousands of New Jersey trees were blown over, uprooted, splintered and killed, the destruction coming on wind gust after wind gust. Although the total loss can never be measured, parts of New Jersey’s forests may have been changed forever, or at least for a lifetime, tree experts say.

"It’s the worst damage we’ve seen in our time," said Lynn Fleming, the state’s forester. "What we see tomorrow might be different than what we see today. ... Forestry is an inexact science, and Mother Nature tends to make her own decisions."

Pines and spruces fell in the coniferous forests, but so too did the hemlocks, oaks, cedars, ashes and maples in the hardwood forests, said Bob Considine, a DEP spokesman.