History of Trees in Des Moines Modern Programs. presented by City of Des Moines Department of Public Works Forestry Division

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1 History of Trees in Des Moines Modern Programs presented by City of Des Moines Department of Public Works Forestry Division

2 RESEARCH CREDITS The research for this series of historical themes relating to Des Moines and trees in the city is limited to surveying the hard work of other people. The following sources, found at the State Library of Iowa and the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center, were used to find this sampling of history. Images of America: Des Moines by Craig S. McCue, 2006 Images of America: East Village by Sarah C. Oltrogge, 2010 Dynamic Des Moines: A History in Pictures by Allen Gardiner Postcard History Series: Des Moines by Craig S. McCue, 2007 Then & Now: Des Moines by Craig S. McCue, 2012 The general theme throughout this History of Trees in Des Moines, is to learn about the history of the city and city trees. To that end, many photos have trees in them, or at least in the background.

3 What good things are happening to the tree canopy in Des Moines? Following is a list of strong points about our programs.

4 1. Tree Inventory What is a tree inventory? A tree inventory is the gathering of accurate information on the health and diversity of the community forest. How many street and park trees are there? What kind? In what condition are they? You cannot manage the community forest effectively unless you know its condition. Tree inventories are an essential tool of good management. An inventory points the way to optimal staffing and proactive management

5 Residents can log on to desmoinesia.mytreekeeper.com to see what impact trees are having on their street, in their neighborhood, and across the entire city. Many of the benefits of trees are explained on the opening page (sample at left).

6 2. City Tree Replacement Fund (CTRF) FUND When trees are lost to development, a mitigation formula is applied and replacement costs are deposited into a city tree replacement fund (CTRF) CTRF $$ is expended every year to increase our urban tree canopy

7 3. SPECIES DIVERSITY We don t just plant 1 or 2 favorite species, we plant 20+ distinct shade tree species, and 10+ ornamental species (planted under overhead utility lines)

8 4. Urban Forest Master Plan Next up is a dedicated effort to craft a master plan that engages all stakeholders and provides a blueprint for how to achieve urban tree canopy goals. (A Prelude to an Urban Forest Master Plan may be found on the forestry website at

9 This graphic shows what some of the main content areas will be on our Urban Forest Master Plan TREE PRESERVATION and TREE PLANTING (preserve existing wooded parks and natural areas; saving the best; building urban canopy; promote private property planting) MANAGEMENT PLAN (pruning, removal, impediments to pedestrians, autos, structures and sidewalks) TREE INVENTORY (catalogue and assess current inventory of trees) URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN SUSTAINABILITY and GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (funding programs; land use policy; green sewers) COUNTERING THREATS TO THE URBAN FOREST (eg. emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt bur oak blight, 1000 cankers disease on walnut) ORDINANCES (preservation; contractor licensing; planting requirements for development)

10 5. TINY TREES tinytrees.dmgov.org Our first ever Tiny Trees program was launched in Spring Over 1300 applicants applied online or called in to request over 5000 Tiny Trees to plant on their private property. One more way to grow an urban forest!

11 Tiny trees

12 6. We have excellent Non-profit partnerships TREE DES MOINES led the charge to secure our firstever computerized tree inventory. They raised funds from the corporate and non-profit sectors to match $100,000 in funds set aside by the city. The inventory was conducted between October 16 and January 17. Tree Des Moines also has engaged in community education about trees and tree health.

13 TREEKEEPER VOLUNTEERS The City of Des Moines and Trees Forever co-teach and train more than 200 volunteers in the planting and care of young trees

14 During their long relationship with the City of Des Moines Trees Forever has provided: 8,068 new tree plantings 32,268 volunteer hours $1.9M in services

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16 .and this is just the beginning. Lots more new tree programs are being planned. We hope our citizens jump on board and help us become a greener, safer, healthier city.

17 What do we learn from this short history (Modern Programs)? The first ever computerized tree inventory will help city Forestry staff to more effectively manage this important environmental resource. Prior to 2011, new tree plantings consisted of about trees per year. With the creation of a City Tree Replacement Fund, we now plant trees annually. This will help us become one of the greenest cities in the nation. Diversify, diversify, diversify! More tree species = a healthier urban tree canopy. Tiny Trees to the rescue. From small beginnings come great things, and our residents have latched on to this BIG idea! Sharing the load with our non-profit allies, we reap huge benefits in environmental awareness by our citizens. We also see more trees planted and cared for. These partnerships are win-win!