The Paradoxical Roles of Trees in Windstorm Mitigation: Insights From Gulu City, Uganda

ABSTRACT Although trees are viewed as providers of several beneficial services, their roles in windstorm mitigation are not always positive. This study assessed the paradoxical roles of trees in windstorm mitigation by analyzing how the characteristics and management practices of trees affect their damage to physical infrastructure. Using primary data collected from Gulu City in Uganda, descriptive statistics and an ordered probit model were generated. The analysis revealed three key findings. First, decreasing the distance between trees and buildings, parked vehicles, roads, and power lines by 1 m significantly increases the likelihood of damage by trees. Second, buildings with greater tree cover are less likely to experience damage from windstorms compared to those with minimal or no tree cover. Third, buildings, parked vehicles, roads, and power lines with low sensitivity are less likely to be damaged by windstorms and windstorm‐induced tree falls than those with high sensitivity. The exposure and sensitivity of physical infrastructure to windstorms and windstorm‐induced tree fall reveal inadequate tree management and ineffective regulation enforcement, which are driven by low adaptive capacity, notably limited knowledge of tree farmers on proper tree management, weak capacity of extension staff, and financial constraints. Poor tree management results from a lack of awareness of improved tree management practices, which stems from limited access to forestry extension support. Additionally, the limited capacity of extension personnel hampers the delivery of forestry extension services. Financial challenges also hinder both the provision of forestry extension services and the enforcement of stricter building regulations and their ongoing maintenance. The findings have implications for improving urban tree monitoring and management, financing and provision of forestry extension services, and enforcement of building and land use regulations.