USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Urban and Community Forestry
Putting Down Roots in Your Community
John Parry, US Forest Service, NA State and Private Forestry, Durham, NH
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Overview
• What and Where are Urban Forests
• Benefits Provided by Urban Forests
• Management Activities to Consider
– Tree Evaluation and Inventory
– Planning for Storms
– Role of Volunteers, and Other Partners
• Tree Evaluation Field Exercises
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Presentation Outline
• USFS Intro
• UCF Program
• Emerging Issues
– Projects
– Funding Sources?
– New Tools
• Resources
Think Big for the Future of Urban Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
URBAN FORESTRY?
Managing trees and
forest resources in
and around urban
communities for the
environmental, social,
economic, and aesthetic
benefits that trees
provide society"
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Percent Urban (2000)
• Over 70% of Our
Population Lives
in Urban Areas
• The Average
Community has
27% of It’s Land
Area Covered
With Tree Canopy
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Benefits
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Air quality improvement
Water quality improvement
Cooler air temperature
Building energy
conservation
Greenhouse gas reduction
Aesthetics
Noise reduction
Wildlife habitat
Social / physiological
benefits
Human health
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Trees in Neighborhoods are
Vital to Community Health
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Tree-filled neighborhoods:
Lower levels of domestic violence
Are safer and more sociable
Tree-filled landscapes reduce stress
Trees decrease need for meds & speed recovery times
USDA Forest Service
AIR QUALITY
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Temperature reduction
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Removal of air pollutants &
Emission of volatile organic
compunds
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Energy effects on buildings
(shade)
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100 trees remove 53 tons of
CO2/year
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100 trees remove 430 lbs of
pollutants per year, including:
72 lbs of ozone, 81 lbs
particulates
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Trees Help Manage Storm Water
Improve Water Quality
• 100 mature trees catch about 539,000 gallons of
rainwater per year...
- Less $ for stormwater control
- Cleaner water
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Trees Save Energy for Home Owners
Impact Climate Change
– Save 56% of annual air conditioning costs
– Save up to 25% of winter heating costs
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Trees Increase Property Values
Houses Sell At Higher Prices
• Each large front yard tree adds about 1% to sales price
• Large trees can add 10%, or more, to property values
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Trees Mean Better Business
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tree-lined commercial districts...
More frequent shopping
Longer shopping trips
Shoppers spend more for parking
Shoppers spend 12% more for goods
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Costs of the Urban Forest
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Planting
Maintenance And Removal
Pruning
Irrigation
Insect and Disease Control
Removal Of Tree Residue
Fire Protection
Infrastructure Repair
Litigation and Liability
Storm Damage
Program Administration
Health Concerns (Allergies)
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Trees Pay Us Back
100 Trees Over 40 Years...
Benefits = $379,000
Costs = $148,000
Energy
Planting - Pruning
Air Quality
Removal/Disposal
Runoff
Irrigation
Real Estate
Sidewalk Repair
Litter
Legal - Admin
Pay Off: $231,000
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Threats to the Urban Forest
• Land Use Change
• Construction Damage
• Invasives Species
• Natural Disasters
• Poor Planning
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Limited Places for Trees
• Lack of Tree Care
• Improper Planting/pruning
• Human Activities
• Pollution
• Wounding/Vandalism
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Percent Urban (2000)
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Percent Urban (2050)
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
UCF Program
Local, State & Federal Partners
Increase The Quantity and Quality of
Urban Tree Canopy In Urban Areas
Protect Existing Tree Cover
Increased Tree Planting
Improved Tree Care
U.S. Forest Service - $26 Million Nationally
States provide technical, financial,
educational, and research assistance
Local partners develop sustainable UCF
Programs in each city and town
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Sustainable Community Forest
Management Programs
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Public Awareness & Education
Support Volunteer Groups/Advocacy
Tree Committee Or Board
Tree Inventory - Management Plan
Tree Ordinance Or Policy
Well Trained Professional Staffing
Fund Programs For Tree Planting,
Protection and Care
• Establish Canopy Cover Goals
• Good Planning Process – Include
Trees
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Storm Planning and Response
for the Urban Forest
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Storm Damage
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Tree Emergency Plan Worksheet
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1. Early Warning System/Weather Forecasting
2. Local Emergency
3. Public Relations
4. Disaster Planning And Response Team Members
5. Available Disaster Response Staff And Crews
6. Emergency Call Out
7. Primary Transportation, Evacuation Corridors
8. Critical Areas – Power Corridor Restoration & Medical Centers
9. Identify Who Is Responsible For Decision Making And Prioritizing
10. Tree Damage Clean-up
11. Procedure For Debris Staging And Removal
12. Debris And Brush Removal From Private Property
13. Identify Wood Utilization Options
14. Equipment Listing (Available In-house)
15. Additional Equipment And Assistance Sources
16. Staff, Crew Organization And Equipment Needs
17. Individual's) Responsible For Record Keeping
18. Individuals Responsible For Damage Assessment And Reports
19. Disaster Budget
20. Funding Information From Past Storms
21. Individual's) Or Organizations Responsible For Regreening
22. Community Urban Forestry Comprehensive Management Plan
23. Community Tree Risk Management Plan
24. Storm Damage Assessment
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
The 4 Phases of Emergency
Management
Response
Planning
Recovery
Mitigation
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
1. Mitigation
Activities Taken To
Minimize The Impact Of Future
Storm Events
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Good Urban Forestry
Management Program
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Public Awareness & Education
Tree Inventory – Tree Management Plan
Tree Ordinance Or Policy
Well Trained Professional Staffing
Establish Canopy Cover Goals
Good Planning Process – Include Trees
Proper Tree Planting,
Protection and Care
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Risk Tree Assessments
Many trees have pre-existing defects
which help to predict failure
USDA Forest Service
Good Planting
• Match Species to Site
• Use Quality Stock
• Plant Correctly
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Good Tree Care
Poor Limb Attachment
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
2.Planning
• Preparing To Handle An
Emergency
• Takes Place BEFORE An
Emergency Occurs
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Storm Response Plan for Trees
• People
– Who will do what?
• Priorities
– Areas most at risk
• Debris Handling
– Establish sites and routes
• Equipment
– In house & contractual
• Record Keeping
• Policy/Legal Issues
• Restoration
USDA Forest Service
3. Response
• Actions Taken
Immediately During A
Storm
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Response
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Activate Emergency Tree Service
Contracts
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Work With Utility Contacts
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Clear And Move Tree Debris From
Priority Traffic Lanes Walkways
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Set Up Staging Areas For Debris
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Do Immediate Tree Hazard Assessments
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Communication (Internal/External)
– Set Up Communications with Staff
– Work With Media To Deliver
Important Messages To Public
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Document And Photograph Tree
Damage And Response Work
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
4. Recovery
• Actions Taken To Return
To Normal Or An Even
Safer/Better Condition
AFTER An Emergency
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Recovery
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
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Do Tree Damage Evaluations
– Assess Trees For Hazards
– Remedial Tree Pruning And
Other Maintenance
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Clean-up Debris Sites
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Update Tree Inventory
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Tree Planting
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Fund Raising For Tree Program
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Review Existing Policies And Plans
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Communications/ Education On
Proper Pruning Or Tree Planting
Event
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Continue To Keep Records For
Financial Assistance
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Storm Damage Assessment Strike Teams
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New Initiative Similar To Fire
Recruit And Train Professionals
Deploy Crews To Disasters
Crews Do Public Tree Assessments;
– Hazard Tree Removals & Pruning
– Estimate Debris Volume
– Other Remedial Tree Work
Needed
– Provide Report That Documents
Tree Work Needed & Cost
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
The Bottom Line...
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Quality of life is improved by tree benefits
Benefits depend on healthy urban forests
Healthy urban forests require quality care
Quality care depends on people and
communities taking action
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
For More Information
www.na.fs.fed.us/urban
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
For More Information
A.J. Dupere
NH Division of Forests & Lands
Urban Forestry Center
Portsmouth, NH
603-431-6774
ajdupere@dred.state.nh.us
Mary Tebo Davis
University of New Hampshire
Cooperative Extension Service
Manchester, NH
603-629-9494 x 140
mary.tebo@unh.edu
John Parry
U.S. Forest Service
State and Private Forestry
603-868-77688
jparry@fs.fed.us
WWW.NA.FS.FED.US/URBAN
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Sustainable Community Tree Programs
• Public Awareness
• Support Advocacy Organizations,
Tree Committees Or Boards
• Tree Inventory/Assessment
• Management Plan
• Establish Canopy Cover Goals
• Tree Ordinance Or Policy
• Well Trained Professional Staff
• Fund Programs For Tree Planting
• Protection And Maintenance
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Restoration after ALB and Storms
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Urban Forest Assessment Tools
www.itreetools.org
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Poor Tree Care
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Poor Planning – Limited Space for Trees
Wrong Tree Wrong Space
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Storm Damage
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Invasives
• Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Worcester, MA, Ohi
• Over 30,000 Trees Removed - MA
USDA Forest Service
Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry
Increase The Quantity and Quality of
Urban Tree Canopy In Urban Areas
Protect Existing Tree
Cover
Increase Tree Planting
Improve Tree Care