Current Issue: Urban & Community Forestry. Urban or Community Forest? Small, rural say community Large towns, cities say urban Just a matter of not offending.

Current Issue: Urban & Community Forestry

Urban or Community Forest?

• Small, rural say community• Large towns, cities say urban• Just a matter of not offending someone• Often used together

Definitions

• Planting and care of amenity, landscape, trees in human settlements

• Parks, street trees, landscaped boulevards, public gardens, river and coastal promenades, greenways, river corridors, wetlands, nature preserves, natural areas, shelter belts of trees, working trees at industrial brownfield sites

Benefits

• Clean air and water • Control storm water • Conserve energy • Aesthetics • Reduce noise • Separate use areas • Recreation • Social and community bonds

Economic Benefits

• Energy costs- shade in summer, deciduous increase sun exposure in winter

• Increase property value – Mature and fruit trees $$

• Good investment- return more than cost

Environmental Benefits

• Moderate climate effects – Regulate temp., precipitation

• Decrease runoff and erosion • Filter water, decrease flooding • Enhance groundwater recharge • Improve air quality • Provide habitat

Community Benefits

• Protect humans from traffic • Screening and privacy • Reduce glare and reflection • Reduce noise pollution

Aesthetic Benefits

• Beauty and Peace• Quality of life• Community pride

Health Benefits

• Reduce blood pressure• Increased emotional and psychological health • Recreational areas for outdoor fitness

activities

Tree Inventories

• Benefits– Liability mitigation: shows the community isn’t

negligent – Budget justification: Used for planning, shows

impacts of not budgeting, maintenance and removal costs

– Planning: species diversity, replacement needs, areas in need of trees

http://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/urban_tree_inventories.htm

How to inventory

• Paper and volunteers– Pros: simple, cheap, general picture, creates

community involvement – Cons: Increased errors during data transfer,

inexperienced volunteers cause errors, training is time consuming

How to inventory

• Tablets, data loggers – Pros: data directly uploaded, simple, inexpensive,

quick, efficient– Cons: incompatible software, manual updating if

community lacks equipment

How to inventory

• Proprietary software and consultants– Pros: experienced staff, additional contract

options (GPS/GIS), summary reports, tech support,

– Cons: costly, municipal staff may not understand equipment/software, municipal staff not familiar with reports and inventories, staff must be trained

How to inventory

• Data Interface and Management – Pros: Uses apps to integrate data, GPS, access, etc. – Cons: Could be costly depending on where data is

hosted, GPS data not as reliable as with dedicated device

Data to Inventory

• Species• Diameter• Condition• Maintenance needs• Location (address or GPS information)• Growing space limitations or conflicts

Tree Topping Problems

• Tree topping to make tree smaller- tree grows back quickly to replace food supply. Choose trees that stay the size you want.

• Trees starve due to lack of photosynthesis. • Topped trees are ugly. • Topped trees are dangerous. – They rot and fall. – New limbs are weaker and easily break – Increased wind resistance from top heavy new growth,

increases blow down risk. • Expensive to keep redoing.• Solution Proper Pruning, Good tree choices.

Pennsylvania Tree Resource Guide

• Egypt (1400BC)- first record of intentional tree planting

• Italy (1500s)- Allee gardens, where trees line walkways

• France(16th century)- Wall promenades, double rows of trees to replace military walls as a military tactic

• 1700s trees planted on streets through Europe to purify air


• United States- valued trees for building, implements, fuel

• Valued freedom, private property, free enterprise

• Boston (1646)- first public trees planted for relief of travelers, included famous “Liberty Tree”

• Pennsylvania- Penn’s Woods, he believed in the European value


• Philadelphia- Began planting in 1700, by 1750 public very involved– 1896- hired first urban forester, called the “Chief

Forester” • New York City- Central Park designed in 1857

by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux– Coined the term “landscape architect” – Parks promoted social progress and tolerance


• New Jersey (1893)- First state to empower municipal tree commissions – Transfer responsibility to citizen volunteers– American ideology

• Early in 20th century, many tree workers and care, but by middle of century tree care declined


• Only 28% of PA boroughs and cities have a community tree program

• Goals should be proper care and replacement • PA Law states legal authority and responsibilities

of a municipality in regard to trees • Tree programs: advise about tree decisions,

reduce liability, inventory trees, develop ordinances to protect trees, enhance community education about trees


• Tree programs: – reduce costs – Benefit future generations – Increase tree health – Attract residents and businesses – Improve aesthetics


• Increasing Canopy Cover in PA– TreeVitalize: public-private partnership to restore

tree cover, educate, and build capacity for government to protect and restore trees

– Began in SEPA in 2004, planted 20,000 trees in 5 counties

– Launched statewide in 2009– Goal of 1 million trees by 2014


• Tree City USA- National Arbor Day Foundation program recognizes communities with community forestry programs that: – Have a tree department – Have community tree ordinances – Have a forestry program that spends at least $2 per

capita – Observe and proclaim Arbor Day

• Provides a plaque, flag, and road signs for Arbor Day Celebrations

• Over 3000 cities, 120 million people in them

http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/


• Northeastern Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Program (NEPA UCFP)– Sponsored over 200 projects – Seeks to improve and restore ecological health of

NEPA– Focus on planting, education, stewardship,

restoration, risk assessment – Focus on mine land, parks, highways, trails, river

corridors, downtowns, schools– Sponsored by USDA Forest Service, NE State and

Private Foresters


• Northeast Pennsylvania Community Tree Association – Organized group of tree commissions,

beautification committees, foresters etc., that share info, discuss and educate

– Building a cooperative network

Community Tree Plans

• Costs from not Planning for Community Forests– Direct mistakes that take public revenue to correct

• Damage from limb and tree failure , utility conflicts

– Indirect mistakes that causes added municipal expense • Poor selection and planting

– Loss of value mistakes that depreciate property value• Poor public landscaping

– Failure to secure private investment that would’ve happened if appropriate management had taken place• Well-planned communities attract business and investments


• Planning Hierarchy, general to specific– Vision statement – Goals – Objectives – Strategies – Annual work plan – Annual Budget – Evaluation


• Vision Statement- where do you want to go? Dream stage, never fully met– A healthier and greener community

• Goals- Statements of intent, Realistic and achievable – A variety of trees will be planted yearly

• Objectives – focus on administration, annual analysis and inventory, site prep, tree selection, maintenance, design, funding


• Annual Work Plan- Short term, What to do this year, adjustable each year

• Annual Budget- identifies needed resources, money, people, time

• Evaluation- Evaluate and revise based on progress


• Developing A Written Plan– Assemble committee – Conduct Needs Assessment – Evaluate Forces that Affect Implementation – Complete Tree Inventory– Apply Elements of Strategic Planning – Hold Planning Workshops for Community


• Goal Oriented Management – Assemble planning group– Identify problems and opportunities – Gather information, analyze problems – Develop vision, goals, and objectives to eliminate

problems and maximize opportunity – Develop and evaluate alternative methods



• Administrative Strategies– Hiring arborists– Establishing permit process – Hold Public Meetings – Provide budget and work plans – Enforce ordinances – Work with other agencies


• Strategies for Analysis and Removal of Trees– Annual tree inventories – Develop annual work plan – Prioritize removal and pruning – Remove old, unhealthy trees – Only trained professionals will work on public

trees– Maintain roadways and make sure signage is not

blocked


• Proper Site Analysis Strategies – Understand climate, weather, soil, space,

functional desires, and human attitudes before planting

– Test all soils– Ensure safety (utilities, sidewalks, etc.)


• Site Preparation Strategies– Remove rubble and poor soil – Use pits of 5ft x 5ft for medium trees, 12ft x 6ft for

large trees


• Tree Selection Strategies– Choose from approved tree list in plan– Adhere to American Standard for Nursery Stock

standards – Street trees should be at least 8 ft. tall, no

branches below 4.5 ft., with a single straight trunk to 7 ft.


• Proper Planting Strategies– Don’t plant in an area smaller than 2ft x 5ft x 5ft – No closer than 50ft to an intersection, 20 ft to a

hydrant, driveway, light poles– Remove burlap from ball, leave wire baskets but

clip top 1/3 – Minimum of 3ft mulch circle, 3in deep, but not

against trunk – Irrigate weekly during drought for 3 years – Replace problem trees with trees that don’t have

the same problem

Planting Strategies

Community Tree Plans • Maintenance Strategies– Use ANSI Standards for Tree Care Operations- Pruning,

Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining and Cutting Brush – Use only thinning and reduction cuts; never head or

top the tree– Use safe climbing methods, no spikes– Maintenance of newly planted trees will be given

priority over older trees, except for hazards



• Quality Design Strategies– Consider important areas, like businesses and

entrances – Use a coherent scheme– Make decisions while in the field – Consult landscape architects – Maintain diverse species and ages, no more than

15% of community has same tree


• Funding Strategies– Meet annually to discuss – Remembrance Tree Programs to raise funds; have

list of trees to choose from – Apply for DCNR grants – Contact civic organizations – Consider family and corporate funding


• Education and Public Participation Strategies– Offer opportunities to plant trees – Teach proper maintenance and care, and

inventory methods – Provide educational materials to schools – Celebrate Arbor Day – Release news articles about events and tree

information – Sponsor workshops and programming

The Role of Trees & Forests in Healthy Watersheds

• Watershed- land area through which water moves or drains to reach a stream

• Impervious surfaces- roads, parking lots, homes, patios, pools, etc. which water cannot drain through– Increases runoff on surface – Increased pollutants and speed – Volume entering stream increases causing erosion,

flooding, stream widening, sediment deposition, loss of fish habitat, decreased water quality


• Canopy Interception and Infiltration– Leaves slow precipitation flow to ground – Ground acts as sponge, absorbing 18 in. before

releasing it into streams and groundwater – Massive decrease in infiltration when forest is

removed (12.4in/hr to 4.4in/hr) – Can intercept 10-40% of precipitation per storm – 1 deciduous tree intercepts 500-760 gallons per

year – 1 evergreen can intercept more than 4000 gal per

year


• Deciduous trees over impervious surfaces reduce storm water because it reduces peak flows

• Single oak uses 40,000 gallons per year • PA forests 24/40 inches each year go through

evapotranspiration• Cools and modifies air temps in summer•


• Pollutant Removal and Phytoremediation – Woody plants remove

• nutrients like nitrates and phosphates • Contaminates like metals, pesticides, solvents, oils

– Use them for growth or store them in wood • Lawns and agriculture fields produce an excess of

these (nonpoint pollution)• Parking lots add petroleum, metals, nitrates and

contribute to “first flush” with less than 1/2in of rain – First flush- initial washing of lot has most of pollutants– 1 acre of lot makes same runoff as 36 acres of forest– 1 in of rain produces 27,000 gals of stormwater


• Streamside or Riparian Forest Buffers – Filter sediment, remove nitrogen and

phosphorous, stabilize bank, shade and modify water temps., provide habitat, reduce velocity, reduce downstream flooding

• State is spending $1 million per mile on restoration as increased impervious surfaces continues to erode banks


• Best Management Practices (BMP)– Used to focus on detaining large volumes of water,

but pollutants remained – Now try to put water back in where it fell – Nonstructural BMPs:• Protect existing forest and riparian zone • Minimize soil compaction, use low impact design • Re-vegetate and reforest areas, reduce impervious

areas


• Best Management Practices (BMP)– Structural BMPs:• Incorporating trees and vegetation into plans • Green roofs• Rain barrels or cisterns • Vegetated swales • Constructed wetlands• Riparian restoration

– Mature trees better than young

Storm Water to Street Trees

• Grey storm water systems- curbs, gutters, drains, pipes, ponds, outfalls move water to containment or treatment areas

• Green storm water systems- manage water on site, mimicking nature by using vegetation, swales, wetlands, buffer zones, pervious surfaces, and filter and slow water through evapotranspiration, infiltration, and soil recharge


• Urban storm water runoff– Nonpoint Source Pollution- storm water and snow

melt carrying and depositing contaminants • Cannot ID the specific source of the pollution • Often contaminates drinking water, affects plant and

animal health • Causes stream scouring- holes left where sediment

washed out


• The Role of Trees– Act as mini-reservoirs – Transpiration is water released from trees as vapor– Interception- trees slow water to hit ground

reducing peak flows– Reduced throughfall- reduce soil erosion, by

lessening impact of rain on soil– Increased Infiltration- root growth and

decomposition increase soil infiltration capacity– Phytoremediation- remove chemicals from water

and use them or store them



• Designing Sites for Success – Consider soil properties, space, drainage, and

irrigation • Soil porosity- amount of available pore space• Permeability- how interconnected pore spaces are• Infiltration rate- how quickly water moves through the

soil

– Accommodate big trees as they manage more water

Storm Water to Street Trees• Grow Bigger Trees to Reduce More Runoff


• Trees and Soil Volume– Too little volume, won’t reach mature height– Shortened life span – Cost more to maintain plant health and continual

replacement • Providing Soil and Space is more successful


• Street Design Failures – Compacted soil-decreased porosity and

permeability – small pit size- lacks sustainability – impervious surfaces above tree- limited water,

roots grow toward surface, lifts sidewalks • Site is more often a problem than the tree• Wasted money


• Well-Designed Tree Systems– Support pavement by pillars, piles, structural cells

to allow uncompacted soil – Permeable surfaces with inlets to increase

infiltration – Above and below ground storage areas to increase

capacity and hold time– Overflow pipes direct excess to high-flow

management systems


• Full grown canopy benefits– Improve Air Quality – Save Energy– Increase Property Value– Reduce CO2– Socioeconomic Benefits – Protect Water Quality

Storm Water to Street Trees• Suspended

Pavement and Structural Cells – Suspension

system supports weight of surface above, allows soil below to be loose and accommodate water and roots

– Word Trade Center Memorial

Storm Water to Street Trees• Benefits– Provides large soil volume– Adaptable for various

weights– Allows removal of

contaminants – Healthier trees – Increased transpiration – Works with existing trees

• Design Considerations – Include drainage inlet and

outlet– Underdrains helpful if

underlying soil is impervious – Integrates with underground

utilities – Larger areas are necessary

for storm water management, small strips support single trees

Storm Water to Street Trees• Structural Soil– Soil on gravel mixes

designed to support tree growth and serve as pavement sub-base

– Highly porous, used under asphalt and concrete

– 20-25% void space to allow roots

– 70-80% gravel, 20-30% clay loam soil

Storm Water to Street Trees• Benefits– Can be adjusted to bear

various loads– Reduces runoff and

manages storm water– Promotes tree growth,

although high rock volume might limit large trees

– Stores storm water – Promotes infiltration – Must consider pH affects of

gravel used (limestone, etc) and choose correct trees

• Design Considerations – May need large volumes – Proper grading is needed for

road bases – May need to compact road

grade limiting permeability and requiring sub-drain system

– Lateral flow is rapid, ponding may occur

– Must meet DOT standards– Large areas for water

management, small for trees

Storm Water to Street Trees• Storm Water Tree Pits– Connected are better than

individual – Similar to traditional street

pits but with increased growing space

– Benefits increase with the number of pits

Storm Water to Street Trees• Benefits– Reduces run off and

manages storm water– Helps trees grow by

providing space, irrigation, and good drainage

– Bioremediation: filters storm water and removes chemicals

• Design Considerations – Connect with soil trenches,

drains, and any other green or grey structures

– Good for street retrofits where soil is compact and poor, and underground space is limited

– Tree choice is very important, need to choose well adapted species

– The more you have, the better the storm water management

Storm Water to Street Trees• Permeable Pavements– Includes concretes,

asphalts, grid and paver systems that allow rapid infiltration

– Network of voids and spaces to allow water to pass

– Used in combination with other methods to increase amount of water controlled

Storm Water to Street Trees• Benefits– Infiltration is increased– Precipitation enters ground

where it falls – Reduces runoff and

manages storm water – Allows build up of biomass

which allows filtration of water

– Made of recycled materials – Increases water and O2 to

roots – Reduces puddles

• Design Considerations – Proper design is a must to

prevent clogging and failure – Can’t seal with impermeable

materials – Vacuuming is preferable to

sweeping to avoid pushing debris unto spaces

– Avoid sand which encourages mold and moss growth which can make it impervious

– Avoid sediment runoff – No surface contact from

snow plows


• Forested Bioswales – Graded depression that detains water and

promotes infiltration and filters water– Needs a mix of soil, vegetation, and drainage– Reduces runoff speed


• Green Roofs– Reduce runoff from buildings – Absorb, store, and promote evapotranspiration – Reduces peak flow– Requires impervious base to protect building

below


• Green Streets – Integrates natural system of storm water

management within public right of way – Use bioswales and tree canopy to control

interception and temperature – Reduces water that directly enters stream

Urban Forest Management Plan

• Urban Forestry Benefits– Increased Public Safety

• Manages damaged and sick trees, minimizes storm damage risks

– Increased Efficiency • Work can happen more quickly and effectively from a plan

– Facilitates Short and Long-term planning • Planning is easier once you have an inventory

– Justify Budgets • Provides data to determine funding

– Documentation • Provides easy method to provide various data

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Tree Inventory- survey of publically owned and managed

trees, locations, quantity, and quality– Inventory Types• Windshield Survey- Arborist drives around recording data ,

good for basic data • Statistical Sample-random sample of 3-6 miles of streets to

give data accurate to 10%• Partial Inventories- Collect data on 100% of miles in specific

areas, allows process to be spread out depending on resources • Complete Inventories- Collects data on 100% of community,

highly accurate

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Using and Managing Inventory Data• Select a system compatible with capabilities of agency

and people • Excel to GIS

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Inventory Data Analysis- Perform statistical analysis,

make graphs and tables, then use data to make plans • Population Characteristics- provides insight to

composition and conditions• Maintenance and Planting Programs- determines work

recommendations • Planting Programs- Used to guide tree choices, best

locations, develops overall planting strategy • Insect and Disease Threats- Mitigates disruption from

disease threats, minimize monetary effects • Budgets- Assigns priority, assesses risk management,

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Inventory and Mapping Data Management Software • Simple as Excel, fancy as specific software such as iTree

and US Forest Service’s Mobile Community Tree Inventory (MCTI)

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Tree Risk Reduction/Emergency Response Plan • Plan for removing debris after storms• Proper planning and preventative maintenance should be

a priority to limit this• Address non-storm threats to safety

– Right of way blockages – Light blockages – Utility conflicts

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Tree Board or Advisory Council Development • Trees have positive and negative emotional responses • People need to facilitate care and maintenance • Educate people • Secure funding • Recommend unbiased, citizen based direction and

alternatives about tree management to public works managers

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Public Relations and Education • Computers improve this because questions can easily be

answered and easy to read info and graphics can be generated • Other methods: seminars, articles, letters,

communication, door hangers and brochures

Urban Forest Management Plan• Management Plan Components – Urban Forest Cost/Benefit Analysis• Historically, the benefits were unquantifiable• Now software allows assessment of costs and benefits • iTree software places dollar value on environmental

benefits, balances with costs • Allows for better program justification, increased public

support, calculates pollution removed and quantifies improvements, calculates carbon use, and energy consumption deductions

Urban Forest Management Plan

• Urban Forest Management Plan Summary – Must be adaptable – Establishes priorities– Keep working toward goals, baby steps – Plan alone indicates community commitment

Real Life Examples

• http://www.hazletoncity.org/City-Ordinances/downtown-overlay-district.html

• http://archives.timesleader.com/2010_9/2010_05_06_Hazleton_rsquo_s_proud_to_be_shady_-news.html

• http://m.standardspeaker.com/news/broad-to-bloom-with-new-trees-1.1235179

http://www.hazletoncity.org/City-Ordinances/downtown-overlay-district.html



http://archives.timesleader.com/2010_9/2010_05_06_Hazleton_rsquo_s_proud_to_be_shady_-news.html




http://m.standardspeaker.com/news/broad-to-bloom-with-new-trees-1.1235179



Current Issue: Urban & Community Forestry. Urban or Community Forest? Small, rural say community Large towns, cities say urban Just a matter of not offending.

Documents

habitat slide

cost slide

trained slide

community benefits

urban community forestry

noise pollution slide

topped trees

dedicated device slide