URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN City of Morden, Manitoba October, 2017 A Division of The Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada, Limited

2 URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN City of Morden, Manitoba October, 2017 Prepared for: City of Morden, Manitoba Stephen Street, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1V3 Prepared by: 611 Tradewind Drive, Suite 500 Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4V5

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Executive Summary... iv 1.1 The City of Morden s Urban Forest... iv 1.2 Breakdown of Issues and Broad Recommendations Introduction Street Tree Inventory Inventory Methods Equipment Data Collection Inventory Analysis Benefits Provided by City of Morden s Street Trees (i-tree Analysis) i-tree Streets Analysis Canopy Analysis Current State of Morden s Urban Forestry Program Existing Operating Budget Staffing Urban Forestry Programs and Initiatives Future Urban Forestry initiatives Proactive Rotational Maintenance Program Emerald Ash Borer Tree Inventory and Risk Assessment Management Tree Planting Program Urban Forestry Bylaws Public Relations and Education References Resources Appendix A: Tree inventory Structural and Physical Condition Assessment Criteria i October, 2017

4 9.2 Arborist Notes Appendix B: Planting Diagram Appendix C: Canopy Methodology and Accuracy Assessment Appendix D: Morden Approved Planting List Appendix E: Map of Work and size distribution APPENDIX F: Tree Appraisal LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Major factors effecting tree health Table 2: Top 5 species requiring maintenance Table 3: Maintenance recommendations Table 4: Total annual benefits by category Table 5: Top 10 species total annual benefits Table 6: Top 10 species, $/tree Table 7 : Suggested canopy cover targets by land use Table 8: Cost categories for urban forestry related activities (2015) Table 9: Sample Budget Table 10:Recommended coniferous trees for planting Table 11: Recommended deciduous trees for planting LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Top 10 species distributions... 7 Figure 2: Top 5 Genera Distributions... 8 Figure 3: Top 5 Family Distributions... 8 Figure 4: Tree Condition Distribution... 9 Figure 5: Size class distribution compared to an ideal distribution Figure 6: Size Class Distribution compared to Condition Figure 7: Proportional comparison of factors effecting public trees Figure 8: Canopy Cover Percentage (2017) Figure 9: Guidelines for Tree Care Figure 10: Notice of Removal Door Hanger Figure 11: Proposed Tree Management Zones Figure 13: Native versus exotic population distribution Figure 14: Top 10 native species distributions ii October, 2017

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6 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The City of Morden s Urban Forest The City of Morden is a thriving municipality that combines beautiful neighborhoods, parks, and recreational opportunities to create an attractive community in which to live, work, and play. Trees are an integral component of this urban environment. Their shade and beauty contribute to the community s quality of life and soften the hard appearance of concrete structures, parking lots, and streets. Trees help stabilize soils by controlling wind and water erosion and also help reduce noise levels; cleanse pollutants from the air; produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide; reduce storm water and provide habitat for wildlife. The City of Morden completed a study of its public street tree inventory and commissioned this Urban Forest Plan to aggregate this data and the policies and programs already in place, to provide guidance and recommendations on how to further maintain, improve, and protect the urban forest. This plan is created to provide objectives useful to city managers and planners, and provide transparency for citizens. The goals and objectives of this plan are to: Outline the operation of the Urban Forestry program; Assess and characterize Morden s current urban forest; Conduct an i-tree Streets and Canopy analysis based on the latest municipal tree inventory in conjunction with aerial and satellite imagery; Review and assess the strengths and deficiencies in the urban forest management program and practices; Recommend strategies to improve practices and deal with urban forest management issues; has worked with the City to develop this. This is intended to be a living document that influences and guides all levels of urban forest management from administration to operations. The Urban Forest includes all trees within the urban area of Morden, including public and private trees. For the purpose of this report, it will be made clear which trees within the Urban Forest are being addressed. With the completion of the street tree inventory in 2016, the City collected data on over 4800 trees. These were of generally good health, though dominated by Green ash, and with mounting maintenance needs. Furthermore, the inventory helped determine that there is a net-benefit for the tree cost/benefit ratio, as determined by the i-trees analysis. While there is a net benefit, this plan has identified a list of issues, and created a series of recommendations with associated plans for how to address them. Morden has a beautiful urban forest, that is being well managed. To further improve the forest, and provide a buffer for inevitable pressures, some new goals should be set and managed for. iv October, 2017

7 1.2 Breakdown of Issues and Broad Recommendations Issue #1: Green Ash are overrepresented in the Morden public tree population, per the rule. Recommendation: Focus on planting a variety of species to reduce the population density of Green Ash Issue #2: Maintain or improve the overall condition of the forest. Recommendation: Develop a goal to improve the overall condition of the forest to a minimum of 85% Good condition, by addressing the factors influencing trees in the Fair or Poor categories. Issue #3: Size distribution does not meet recommended guidelines, and does not maximize the benefits of the urban forest. Recommendation: Implement management strategies to balance the size class distributions. Issue # 4: Unnatural class and condition spread. Recommendation: Take action to balance size classes, and assess the data quality. Issue #5: Trees effected by abiotic and biotic disorders are costlier, and provide fewer benefits. Recommendation: Address the factors leading to the greatest stress on the largest populations of trees. Issue #6: Certain species and size classes are in need of attention throughout the city, through natural decline or attack by pests. Work requirements are building, and will only become heavier in time. Recommendation: Continue to address hazardous trees, and implement a program to address ongoing maintenance issues, before they become overwhelming. Please refer to the section regarding Future Initiatives. Issue #7: Current canopy estimates indicate the City of Morden, while strong, could benefit from an increase in the percent of canopy covered by trees to meet the visions set out in City Planning. Recommendation: Utilize available tools to create a viable canopy goal. A minimum goal based on standards and existing cities of the Great Plains would be at least 20%. Issue #8: Morden currently has limited or non-specific tree related policies and bylaws regarding the damage or protection of trees. Recommendation: Consider implementing new policies regarding developments, and new bylaws or language that is specific in the protection of trees. Issue #9: Excellent information is available to the public, but is somewhat difficult to access. Recommendation: Consider adding information regarding tree benefits (i-trees) and diagrams to the information handouts. 1 October, 2017

8 2 INTRODUCTION The City of Morden is a municipality with approximately 8,668 residents spread over an area of square kilometers in South Central Manitoba (Statistics Canada, 2017). It is named after Alvey Morden, who settled the land in 1874 (Morden, 2017). The town truly began to take shape when the Pembina Branch Railway created a watering stop along Mort Cheval Creek in This choice of stop, over the nearby town of Nelson, saw people and even buildings moved from Nelson to the new stop, and in 1903 the Town of Morden was officially born. The region is in a relatively warm and humid part of Manitoba. It sees approximately 426 mm of precipitation each year, and has summer high temperatures of up to 26 C, and winter lows of -19 C, with a daily mean of 4.0 C. It falls in the Plant Hardiness Zone 4a (Natural Resource Canada, 2010), in the Prairie Ecozone. Historically, the area was dominated by prairie grasslands, so there is not a great diversity of natural tree species. Natural trees include willows, birch, bur oak, poplar, and green ash. There are other trees such as balsam fir and white spruce, that are native to Manitoba, though not to this region (Lands Directorate, 1986). The area is steeped in natural and human history, with many heritage buildings and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre available for tourists and residents alike to enjoy. The Town has benefited from this natural environment, with many public trees adding to the small town ambiance. The city has managed its trees effectively to date. However, with pressures on this Green Infrastructure increasing, it has decided to examine the many tools available, discussed in this plan, to better track and strategize the management of this important resource. 2 October, 2017

9 3 STREET TREE INVENTORY This section will describe why and how the street tree inventory was completed, and provide an analysis of the data collected. 3.1 Inventory Methods The City of Morden carried out an inventory of 4,825 public trees within the Urban Forest in The tree inventory had the goal of identifying such attributes as maintenance requirements, species diversity, over-all health, and the strengths and weaknesses of the urban forest canopy. It is important to understand the quantity and quality of the Green Infrastructure if good management practices and improvements are to be implemented and achieved. With a tree inventory focused on collecting the overall size and health of the Urban Forest, the City will better understand what species are thriving, which individuals or areas are prone to disease or stress, and the quality of the canopy coverage the forest provides. Collecting attributes such as tree heights enable the City better assess the maintenance requirements of the forest, as well as identify the diversity of biological habitat. Staffs were trained, and followed international standards and protocols in arboriculture, such as those set out by the International Society of Arboriculture. The following sections describe the methodology used for the inventory, as well as definitions of the terms used, and the standards applied. Before beginning, the arborist ensures they will follow these three core principles. Consistency There are areas where many trees are alike, and collectors may be tempted to overstate differences. Being consistent provides stronger data to the City. Accuracy - Every piece of data must be accurate to successfully manage the urban forest. Reproducible Results The arborist must make assessments based on industry standards, and record the data in a repeatable format. Staff are always prepared to ask questions, and document any assumptions. Staff must never guess. 3 October, 2017

10 3.2 Equipment Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Staff utilized the GPS capabilities of their phones to mark tree locations. These devices usually have an accuracy of about 10 metres. Combined with satellite imagery, the arborist can mark the location of a tree providing coordinates useful in linking data collected with the right tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measurements DBH is a measuring standard across the forestry and urban forestry industries. The Breast Height used in this inventory is 1.4 metres. Staff are trained to use either a Caliper or DBH tape to accurately measure the DBH of each tree. With the Calipers, two measurements were taken, and the average between the two recorded. 3.3 Data Collection The City used right of way data, as well as parcel information to help identify the location of trees. Coupled with the GIS receivers, staff could determine if the trees were public or private, and collect accordingly. This inventory focused solely on public trees Location Information Address Address was obtained from the parcel information layer. It should include a Street Number, followed by Street Name. For parcels with multiple addresses (such as apartment buildings, civic parks, and some neighbourhood parks that are comprised of multiple parcels) one main address should be identified Location Type Location type was then identified to help with management decisions (such as pruning schedules and risk). Categories are: Boulevard Hardscape: Beside a roadway; root space is completely covered in hardscape (impermeable surface such as asphalt, paving stones, or similar). Can include tree pits. Boulevard Sidewalk: Beside a roadway; sidewalk on at least one side of the tree. Boulevard No Sidewalk Beside a roadway; no sidewalk present, so root space is less restricted than with a sidewalk. Park: A city park or similar public space; trees here have different pressures and values to those on or near a roadway. Natural: An unmanaged area, can include groups of trees, may be on a roadway or greenspace. These Natural Areas provide significant habitat to species, provide anthropogenic benefits different to street trees, and require different management. Other: An otherwise undefined site. 4 October, 2017

11 3.3.2 Tree Attributes Tree information collected here includes specific information about the tree, including species, DBH, condition, height, canopy spread, and others Species Trees will be identified by common name. The arborist must be 100% sure of a species. Senior staff were available for further identification help Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) The diameter of each tree was measured at 1.3 meters above the ground. Low forming branches should not be counted as stems or considered when measuring DBH DBH 2, etc. The arborist recorded other stems here in the extra DBH columns. Multiple stems were determined to be present when there were one or more stems at Breast Height. Divisions above Breast Height could be noted as Co-Dominant. Splits below ground level were recorded as separate trees. NOTE: City data set does not place largest DBH first, but this was amended for the report Height Tree height was measured using a Clinometer, and through inference from previously measured trees Condition The arborist utilized their experience and training to identify overall condition of the tree, including physical and structural attributes. This was grouped into 4 categories; Good, Fair, Poor, or Dead/Dying. Condition was established using the ISA Standard for Assessing Shade Trees. Please refer to Appendix A for a complete break down of what kinds of attributes the arborist uses Disease Type The arborist could select Insect, Fungus, Bacteria, or a combination of the three to highlight a major health issue in the tree Year Planted etc Columns are available to note year planted, pruned, cabled, treated for fungus, treated for insects, basal injected, foliar sprayed, or fertilized. These are primarily place holders to be used as the city completes work on trees recorded in the initial inventory Cabled A column to indicate if cables are present in the inventory Action The arborist has indicated what, if any, maintenance activity is required on the tree. Action options are listed and defined below. 5 October, 2017

12 Needs Lifting: Trim the tree to elevate branches off a roadway, sidewalk, building or sign. Needs Pruning: The tree requires pruning for structural, reduction, deadwood, or thinning. Needs Removal: The tree should be removed. Needs Replanting: The tree was improperly planted, or failed to thrive. The site is otherwise still viable. Needs Treatment: The arborist shall have indicated there is a fungus, insect, or bacterial infection, and believes treatment should be done to save the tree. Needs Stump Grinding: The recorded tree is a stump, and should be ground Other Other attributes were also recorded Damage types Three columns were provided to record potential damage types, including Animal, Frost Crack, Included, Mechanical, Split, Vandalism, and Wind Hazard Types Three columns were provided to record potential Hazard types, including Overhead Lines, Buildings, and Public Safety. 6 October, 2017

13 3.4 Inventory Analysis Family, Genus and Species Distributions Every plant and animal on earth is categorized into progressively larger groups (taxon) based on related traits and characteristics. This can mean groups of trees have shared strengths or weaknesses, which are important to manage or limit (Judd et al, 2007). In urban forestry, we focus on the family, genus, and species levels of organization. The following charts diagram the percentages of each tree family, genera and species in relation to all inventoried trees. These distributions are important parameters for managing urban forest sustainability and the tree population s ability to respond to threats from invasive pests and diseases. The inventory of Morden s urban forest found 36 individual species representing 21 genera, in 14 families. The following figures illustrate the top distributions of species, genera, and families for Morden. Other, 21% Ivory Silk Lilac, 3% Colorado Spruce, 3% Green Ash, 33% Bur Oak, 3% Hackberry, 4% White Elm, 5% Tilia cordata, 5% Manchurian Ash, 8% Silver Maple, 5% American Basswood, 10% Figure 1: Top 10 species distributions 7 October, 2017

14 Other, 19% Picea, 6% Fraxinus, 41% Ulmus, 9% Acer, 10% Tilia, 15% Figure 2: Top 5 Genera Distributions Other, 15% Pinaceae, 7% Ulmaceae, 9% Oleaceae, 44% Aceraceae, 10% Tiliaceae, 15% Figure 3: Top 5 Family Distributions Figure 3 shows that the Oleaceae (Ash and Lilac) family comprises 44% of Mordens urban forest. Within this family, only 2 genera are represented, with a total of 3 unique species. Reflecting this, Fraxinus (Ash) is the most widely distributed genus in Morden, followed by Tilia (Basswood) and Acer (Maple), respectively. There are 2 unique species represented in the Fraxinus genus; dominated by the Green Ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica). Figure 1 shows that the four most widely occurring species are Green Ash at 33%, followed by Basswood at 10%, Manchurian Ash (Fraxinus manchuria) at 8%, and Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) at 5%. There is a generally accepted practical method of procedure for managing species diversity. This method holds that municipalities should maintain densities under 30% for a single family, 20% for a 8 October, 2017

15 single genus, and 10% for a single species (Lilly & Currid, 2010). This rule is attempting to limit the potential catastrophes experienced when diseases or pests sweep through genetically similar hosts. Consequently, the Oleaceae family, the Fraxinus genus, and the species Fraxinus pennsylvanica are over-represented in Morden. This is called the Rule for Tree Diversity. When a region becomes dominated by a monoculture of species devastating losses can result, significantly impacting entire communities and resulting in millions of dollars in tree removal and planting expenses. Of course, the recommended densities may not be realistically achieved where climate may be a limiting factor, as is the case in Morden. While species selection may not be extensive in Morden, it is important to know which species have crossed the line, and put emphasis on using another available species. The urban forest in Morden would benefit from incorporating larger proportions of less commonly planted species. More discussion relating to recommended tree species can be found in section 5.3 of this report. Issue #1: Green Ash are overrepresented in the Morden public tree population, per the rule. Recommendation: Focus on planting a variety of species to reduce the population density of Green Ash Tree Condition Tree condition is assessed by analyzing the percentages of good, fair, poor, and dead/dying trees. Condition is important to tree management because it provides information that helps determine the general health of the population, anticipate maintenance needs, and estimate associated tree care costs. The tree condition of Mordens urban forest is shown in Figure 4. Please refer section 2.3 for definitions and methods. Good, 81% Fair, 16% Poor, 3% Dead/Dying, 0% Figure 4: Tree Condition Distribution Tree condition was rated based on a modified version of A Guide to Tree Condition published in the Journal of Arboriculture.. It is important to note that inventories represent a snapshot in time, and an older inventory will no longer reflect current conditions. Updating the inventory at intervals of no more than 10 years would be beneficial to understanding trends in the urban forest and whether management practices are effectively maintaining the trees. Subsequent inventories should follow the same condition assessment protocols if trends and comparisons are to be made. 9 October, 2017

16 As shown in Figure 4 above, over 80% of the trees in Morden were in good condition, with approximately 16% in fair condition and the remaining 3% in poor condition. There were less than 1% that were found to be dead or dying. While there were a small percentage of trees in poor, dead, or dying condition, the City should continue to improve the condition of its tree population through appropriate tree maintenance activities and by removing and replacing all poor and dead trees. With over 96% of the City s trees in Good or Fair condition, it indicates there have been effective management practices. Good trees provide maximum benefits to the city, and have the least amount of concern for maintenance or risk. It is important that the city maintain the policies programs in place, and make an effort to turn the 16% in Fair condition around. Typically, fair condition indicates the tree is beginning to show signs of stress, it is important to address what is causing this stress be it natural or human, and act accordingly. Issue #2: Maintain or improve the overall condition of the forest. Recommendation: Develop a goal to improve the overall condition of the forest to a minimum of 85% Good condition, by addressing the factors influencing trees in the Fair or Poor categories Size Class Distribution Size class distribution is the proportion of trees by size, also described as the population s relative age. Size class distribution affects the benefits trees provide to the community and the sustainability of the urban forest. An ideal size class distribution has a higher percentage of young trees with percentages of established and maturing trees decreasing as the diameter increases. An ideal tree population distribution provides for an even flow of functional benefits that maximizes the ecological and aesthetic benefits that trees provide (Millward & Sabir, 2010). 63% 33% 40% 30% 25% 4% 0% 5% City of Morden Ideal Figure 5: Size class distribution compared to an ideal distribution As seen in Figure 5, the two major trends observed are that most of the population (63%) is in the category, and that mature trees (greater than 61 cm DBH) comprise less than 5% of the inventoried population. To optimize the potential benefits that the tree population can provide, the urban forest should have higher percentages of large-stature, mature trees. The large number of trees in the category bode well for the future of the forest, as these trees should move into the 10 October, 2017

17 next category in the coming years. However, this implies that previous management practices kept trees from attaining large stature, either through declining health or a policy to remove large trees. It will also be important to ensure there are more trees in the smallest category as well, both to maximise habitat diversity, and to ensure there are good numbers following into the category in the future. Issue #3: Size distribution does not meet recommended guidelines, and does not maximize the benefits of the urban forest. Recommendation: Implement management strategies to balance the size class distributions Health vs Size Class By combining data on both the Structural Condition and the DBH class of trees in Morden, we can get another impression of how the forest is aging. As shown in Figure 6, the clear majority of the forest is lumped into the category, in Good condition. This indicates the city is very proactive in maintaining the forest, as was discussed in the earlier section. However, it is important that the City act to diversify its forest, and ensure the quality of data collection. This can be done through maintenance planning, discussed further in section Good Fair Poor Dead/Dying Issue # 4: Unnatural class and condition spread. Figure 6: Size Class Distribution compared to Condition Recommendation: Take action to balance size classes, and assess the data quality. 11 October, 2017

18 3.4.5 Factors Affecting Condition Arborists collected information on major factors affecting the health of public trees. These included biotic and abiotic disorders. Biotic disorders are normally living factors such as fungal disease, bacteria, and insects. These can sometimes be treated, but in many cases the factor goes undiagnosed, or is too difficult to treat. Abiotic disorders are those caused by non living factors, such as poor soil, accidental damage caused mowing or grass trimming, and damage caused purposefully by vandals. Damage is most often permanent, however actions may be taken to restrict further damage and allow the trees to overcome the losses. Table 1 indicates the proportion of the population impacted by negative factors. The leading facts appear to be mechanical damage (6%) and the restricted soil space caused by hardscaping (3%). Hardscaped trees are surrounded by concrete or asphalt, severely impacting growing space, nutrient availability, and water uptake. Table 1: Major factors effecting tree health Factor Trees Affected (% of Total) Disease, Bacteria, Insect 68 (1%) Hardscaped 129 (3%) Mechanical Damage 265 (6%) Wind Damage 35 (<1%) Vandalism 6 (<1%) Deciding what factors to address can be determined by assessing how significantly the above factors are effecting the trees. Figure 7 indicates the condition spread of each population impacted by a factor. Where the overall population is over 80% good, only Hardscaped trees maintain a similar proportion, though there are more hardscaped trees in Fair condition. It is the trees that have Figure 7: Proportional comparison of factors effecting public trees suffered mechanical and disease damage that are most impacted, with significant proportions of these populations effected enough to become fair or poor trees. While it is important to address diseased trees, as is already the case with Dutch Elm Disease, the proportion of trees significantly 12 October, 2017

19 effected by mechanical damage should be researched and addressed further. Trees in worsened condition provide fewer benefits, and will require more care in the long run. Issue #5: Trees effected by abiotic and biotic disorders are costlier, and provide fewer benefits. Recommendation: Address the factors leading to the greatest stress on the largest populations of trees Maintenance Requirements By examining certain aspects of the inventory data, we develop another picture of what the maintenance needs are for the municipal tree population. Breaking the maintenance recommendations down by species (Table 2). Some species require more attention due susceptibility to disease or to structural problems, or simply due to their proportion of the population. It is important to track species with known conditions, such as Green Ash. Recommendations for maintenance would include treatment of diseased trees to prevent their decline, removal of hazard trees, pruning trees for safety or form, replanting improperly planted trees, and stump grinding. Table 2: Top 5 species requiring maintenance Species Number of Trees Requiring Action Green Ash 259 Basswood 130 Manchurian Ash 80 Silver Maple 66 Spring Snow Crabapple 37 City-Wide Total 898 Maintenance planners may also use the size class distribution chart (Figure 5) to estimate the kinds of work needed in the foreseeable future. Small or young trees need more frequent pruning, but the costs are less. It is more cost effective to prune out potentially hazardous limbs early, instead of waiting until they become larger, more hazardous, and costlier. Large, mature trees do not require pruning every year, but may require large limb removal, or complete removal, at higher expenses. Table 3: Maintenance recommendations Maintenance Action Number of Trees Requiring Action Pruning 700 Needs Replanting 40 Stump Grinding 39 Needs Treatments 38 Removal 34 Lifting 25 Cable Bolt 22 City-Wide Total October, 2017

20 Finally, we can examine the spread of all work recommended in the 2016 inventory (Table 3). As identified, pruning is the number one recommendation (700 trees), followed by replanting and stump grinding (40 and 39 trees respectively). This shows there is good program for removing hazardous trees, as indicated in other data, though there is the potential that the city may be falling behind in pruning. Issue #6: Certain species and size classes are in need of attention throughout the city, through natural decline or attack by pests. Work requirements are building, and will only become heavier in time. Recommendation: Continue to address hazardous trees, and implement a program to address ongoing maintenance issues, before they become overwhelming. Please refer to the section regarding Future Initiatives. 4 BENEFITS PROVIDED BY CITY OF MORDEN S STREET TREES (I-TREE ANALYSIS) The Benefit Analysis provides an important tool for City staff, elected officials, and citizens to make informed decisions about funding urban forestry. An i-tree Streets analysis is utilized to examine estimates in the monetary annual benefits provided by the trees through multiple categories. 4.1 i-tree Streets Analysis City trees provide many environmental benefits. Trees help to improve air quality, hold storm water, and reduce carbon dioxide levels. They also provide aesthetic, economic, social, psychological, and wildlife benefits. This chapter uses the City s tree inventory and the i-tree Streets model to assess and quantify the beneficial functions of the Urban Forest and to place a dollar value on the annual benefits they provide. These annual benefits are a snapshot of environmental benefits produced by trees during one year. i-tree Streets calculates the benefits based on the best available science that provides a platform from which management decisions can be made. The i-tree Streets model is considered a high level data analysis, the results of which the City of Morden can use to make informed decisions surrounding the urban forest. Beyond statistical calculations of public tree inventory data, i-tree Streets provides a foundation upon which the City Parks Department can promote its urban forest management program to elected officials, staff, allied organizations, and the community. The i-tree Streets analysis was performed to quantify stormwater mitigation, energy consumption savings, aesthetics and other public values, air quality improvement, and carbon sequestration. Table 3 below presents the total annual benefits provided by trees that are included in Morden s inventory and depicts them as a percentage of the total. Attempting to quantify the benefits from trees is a progressive step in justifying City s resource allocation to the urban forest. Despite the utility of i-tree Streets in accomplishing forest benefit modeling, it should be noted that the software was developed to model U.S. climate zones and air quality statistics, and is the only modelling tool available for this purpose. Hence, air quality benefits may also slightly differ from those values used in the model. Potential minor regional variations do not lessen the value of the i-tree analysis as an excellent source of information for good decision making. 14 October, 2017

21 Table 4: Total annual benefits by category Benefit Category Benefit Total Benefit per Tree Percent of Total Benefits Energy 60, % CO2 10, % Air Quality 5, % Storm water 64, % Aesthetics/Other 472, % Total $613,626 $ % Storm water Runoff Reductions Trees reduce the volume of storm water runoff in neighbourhoods and ultimately community-wide. This function and benefit is especially important in developed settings with increased quantities of impervious surfaces (such as roads, driveways, and buildings) and in areas near surface waters. A tree s surface area intercepts and stores rainfall. The tree s root system absorbs water that infiltrates into the soil, thereby decreasing runoff. The soils ability to absorb water is also improved by a tree s root systems and foliage as it intercepts rainfall and reduces the occurrence of a hard soil layer forming. Additionally, trees intercept suburban contaminants such as oils, solvents, pesticides, and fertilizers which are often part of storm water runoff, reducing pollution discharges into nearby waterways. Morden s street tree resource intercepts 22,471 cubic meters of storm water annually, for a savings of $64,112 or $13.29 per tree. The populations of Green Ash, American Basswood, and American Elm trees currently provide the greatest total benefit accounting for 7,711 m 3 (34.3%), 2,601 m 3 (12.6%), and 2,175 m 3 (9.7%), respectively. These species combined account for 55.6% of storm water management savings, despite representing only 49.2% of the population Energy Consumption Savings The energy savings that trees provide can be attributed to micro-climatic changes, shading, and wind reduction. ambient air is cooled when leaves use solar energy during transpiration. Air movement in an urban setting is influenced by tree spacing, crown spread, and vertical distribution of leaf area. These key factors also reduce the amount of radiant energy absorbed by buildings and other hardscapes cooling the air during hot summer months. Furthermore, in the winter, the trees provide wind protection to nearby buildings, helping to reduce heat loss. By moderating climate extremes on a local level, the savings provided by trees are realized by lowering cooling and heating costs. Urban trees provide annual electric and natural gas saving. Morden saves a total of $60,323 per year and has an average annual savings of $12.50 per tree. The population of Green Ash, American 15 October, 2017

22 Basswood, and American Elm currently provide the greatest total benefit accounting for a total of 65.9% ($39,768) of all energy savings. Green Ash provides the highest proportion of this, at $24,090 saved Aesthetic Value and Other Benefits It may seem difficult to place a dollar value on the benefits trees provide to the overall character of a community and the well-being of neighbourhood residents and visitors. However, trees provide added beauty to a landscape, privacy to homeowners, and refuge for urban wildlife, and these can be quantified. Studies support differences in property values reflected by the willingness of buyers to pay for the benefits associated with trees. Aesthetic benefits, property value, social benefits, economic benefits, among other non-tangible related benefits, provide the City of Morden an estimated $472,565 annually, for an average of $97.96 per tree. The population of Green Ash and American Basswood provide the greatest benefits, with a total value for all trees in each species at $207,696 (44%) and $53,101 (11.2%), respectively Air Quality Improvement Urban environments benefit greatly from the presence of public trees. Trees release oxygen through photosynthesis and absorb gaseous pollutants in the form of ozone (O 3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2). Ozone reduction is also attributed to the trees shading effect on hardscape surfaces, their cooling effect on ambient air from the transpiration process, and their contribution to reduced emissions from power generation. Trees intercept volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), and small particulate matter (PM 10), such as dust, ash, dirt, pollen, and smoke from the air. Trees also emit air pollutants called biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that contribute to the formation of ozone. The i-tree Streets model takes this whole process into account. The City experiences net air quality improvement benefits equal to $5,848 per year, averaging $1.21 per tree. The population of Green Ash currently provides the greatest total air quality benefits accounting for 32.7% ($2,887) of all air quality enhancements. American Elms provided the highest individual tree enhancements, averaging $4.02 per tree Carbon Dioxide Reduction Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is used during a tree s photosynthesis process to produce the natural building blocks necessary for tree growth. This process takes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and holds it as woody and foliar biomass. This is referred to as carbon sequestration. Morden s urban forest resource reduces a net 651,786 kg of CO 2 per year valued at $10,777 with the average savings of $2.23 per tree. The populations of Green Ash and American Basswood currently provide the highest sequestered CO 2 benefits, accounting for 286,210 kg (43.9%) and 84,312 kg (12.9%), respectively Summary of Total Annual Benefits Morden s inventoried trees provide $613,626 of annual benefits to the community and its environment. It is expected that the annual benefits may be much higher, however, as not all City trees are accounted for in the inventory, including natural woodlots. Table 4 shows that aesthetics 16 October, 2017

23 and other benefits contribute the greatest benefits accounting for 77% of the annual total. Environmental benefits including energy savings, storm-water mitigation, air quality improvements, and carbon dioxide reduction contribute the remaining 23% of the total annual benefits. The lower proportion of total environmental benefits is possibly related to the size distribution (which is largely smaller/younger trees) and species selection. As the city considers new plantings, it may consider using trees from Table 5, which highlights the trees which provided the top benefits per tree, due to size, vigour, or physiology. Table 5: Top 10 species total annual benefits Species Energy CO2 Air Quality Storm-water Aesthetic/Other Total ($) Green Ash 24,090 4,732 2,887 22, , ,406 American Basswood 9,487 1, ,420 53,101 72,138 American Elm 6,191 1,190 1,193 6,205 33,707 48,486 Silver Maple 2, ,314 37,728 43,532 Bur Oak 3, ,905 16,815 23,361 Little-leaf Linden 2, ,331 16,486 21,737 Northern Hackberry 1, ,862 16,381 21,625 Manchurian Ash 1, ,692 16,158 21,581 Siberian Elm 2, ,697 15,799 21,098 Blue Spruce 1, ,730 10,638 16,128 City-wide Total 60,323 10,777 5,848 64, , ,626 Table 6: Top 10 species, $/tree Species Energy CO2 Air Quality Storm Aesthetic/Other Total ($) water Siberian Elm Black Walnut Silver Maple Green Ash American Elm Bur Oak Basswood Boxelder Northern Hackberry White Spruce October, 2017

24 4.2 Canopy Analysis Knowing the Canopy Cover statistics will provide managers with another layer of data, to use in conjunction with what is provided by the i-streets analysis. It examines all forms of cover throughout the City, such as grass, water, and buildings, and gives a statistical analysis of how much of the City is covered by each category. Please refer to the appendices for a description of the methodology for this analysis. By examining this data, it becomes easier to see if operations should target tree planting programs, or where policy makers need to adjust guidelines to improve the retention or creation of space for trees and other greenspaces. For Morden, there were 5 different types of cover examined. These types of cover were trees, grass, impervious surfaces (buildings and pavement), bare soil, and open water. Used in conjunction with the inventory, canopy analysis allows the data to be summarized at a broad range of scales (e.g., parcel to watershed), enabling tree canopy to be related to a host of demographic, planning, and biophysical data. Morden s canopy cover was determined to be approximately 14% treed, 48% grass, 27% impervious surfaces, 7% bare soil, and 4% open water (Figure 8). Currently, no canopy cover targets exist for the City; however, resources exist to aid in making these decisions. American Forests (a non-profit conservation organization in the United States that promotes healthy forests and urban tree planting) developed guidelines that can be used as starting points for communities to set their own goals. Targets are typically based on the community s unique mix of climate, geography, land-use Figure 8: Canopy Cover Percentage (2017) patterns, resource structures, and attitudes. Historically industry standards suggest that an overall canopy cover target of approximately 35-40% would be achievable for municipalities in the Great Plains. This overall canopy cover target comprises a mix of canopy targets for various land uses as follows: 18 October, 2017

25 Table 7 : Suggested canopy cover targets by land use Land Use Type Canopy Cover Target Suburban Residential 50% Urban Residential 25% Street Right of Ways 25% Central Business Districts 15% Overall Total: 40% These targets are still important to be aware of, though there are some more modern approaches to keep in mind. American Forests have a planning website available, that city managers can use to help develop specific goals for their own unique environments. It is possible to also consider the cover of cities in similar climates to Morden. Nowak et al (1996) examined the canopy cover of cities throughout North America. Cities similar to (but not exact references to) Morden and their coverage were as follows: City Canopy Cover Minneapolis, MN 20% Sioux Falls, SD 19% Baldwin, KS 16% Eudora, KS 11% The City will need to create a comprehensive plan, if it wishes to approach the guidelines identified here, as well as those set in its Corporate Plan (See Section 5.3). An approachable goal may be to reach a minimum cover of 20% in 10 years (by 2028). Further sections discuss how maintenance programs can help increase the cover provided by mature trees, and new planting targets will also help attain the target. For example, with over 48% available in grassed spaces (Figure 8), focus could begin on developing planting programs that target the public and private spaces that this would encompass. Furthermore, the 27% covered by asphalt could be reduced using structured planting cells, and changes to policies regarding the construction of roadways and parking lots. Issue #7: Current canopy estimates indicate the City of Morden, while strong, could benefit from an increase in the percent of canopy covered by trees to meet the visions set out in City Planning. Recommendation: Utilize available tools to create a viable canopy goal. A minimum goal based on standards and existing cities of the Great Plains would be at least 20%. 5 CURRENT STATE OF MORDEN S URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM 5.1 Existing Operating Budget The costs associated with managing Morden s trees are an investment back into the community. The current budget for the management of public trees in Morden is approximately $153,000. This amount includes salaries, equipment, new tree plantings, contractors for removals or the application of pesticides and fertilizers, and the Dutch Elm Disease (DED) treatment program. Some support 19 October, 2017

26 Contract Work money is provided by the provincial government through programs such as the DED treatment and maintenance program. The total amount of money spent managing the Urban Forest can be represented as approximately: $17.60 per Resident or $31.00 per Tree With an i-trees estimated benefit of $ per tree, Morden is already achieving a netbenefit in its cost/benefit ratio for it s trees. The following is a general breakdown of the staff, equipment and roles of forestry related operations in Morden. Table 6 indicates that Morden spends more money on contractor services, particularly demand (reactive) work such as pruning, removals, and pest and disease control, than any other category. The second greatest cost is the control of Dutch Elm Disease with wages and tree planting coming in third and fourth, respectively. Table 8: Cost categories for urban forestry related activities (2015) Activity % of Total Parks Budget Cost Dutch Elm Disease Program 100 $35,000 % of Total Park-Tree and Turf Program 100 $10,000 Basal Spraying 100 $10,000 Fertilization 100 $5,000 Storm Damage 100 $15,000 Removals and Pruning 100 $20,000 Pest & Disease Control 100 $5,000 65% Administration Permits, licences, training, 31 $1,705 1% office supplies Equipment 31 $1,085 1% Vehicle Costs 31 $1,550 1% Gasoline/Disesel 31 $3,565 2% Lubricants 31 $62 0% Other 100 $1,500 1% Small Tools 100 $2,500 2% Safety Equipment 100 $700 0% Staff Wages 31 $25,946 17% Tree Planting 100 $15,000 10% Total $153, % 20 October, 2017

27 In 2017, 160 trees were expected to be planted throughout the city. Therefore, it cost approximately $93.00 to purchase each tree, not including the costs of equipment, material, and labour. It further does not not include the cost of aftercare activities such as watering and young tree training. 5.2 Staffing There are 5 Parks positions who occasionally are called in to urban forestry operations within the Parks Department. Positions, specific job details are as follows: The Manager of Parks works year-round, and is responsible for managing all aspects of operating, constructing and maintaining the City s physical parks, boulevards, and recreation assets, and developing outdoor leisure and environmental services in parks. This position plays a leadership role in managing Departmental policy, human and financial resources, strategic planning, and ongoing implementation of the City s corporate values. The Manager of Parks oversees all urban forestry activities in the City. The current manager is a certified ISA Arborist and Registered Forester, and is responsible for ensuring the quality of work completed by staff and contractors. The Park Leads (2 Staff members in 2017) work with parks department year-round, and perform a variety of operational activities associated with the maintenance of various public areas. This includes maintaining flower and tree beds, parks facilities, fertilizing, weeding and edging lawn areas, mulching and preparing soil for planting, applying pesticides to control pests, and pruning trees and shrubs. Staff are trained in the safe operation of equipment, and in arboricultural standards. Other support staff (Summer Students x2 in 2017) are called upon to assist the Park Leads in the pruning or removal of trees as requested. For example, staff are there to ensure health and safety standards are met. They are not currently trained in any arboricultural standards of care, but do receive basic training in operational safety. A large proportion of urban forestry related work is handled by contractor services. Use of contractors varies depending on the amount of removals or pruning to be completed. The less often contractors are called, the more is made available for other activities such as tree planting or small tree pruning 5.3 Urban Forestry Programs and Initiatives Bylaws and Guidelines Morden has developed a few standards and specifications that guide the processes involved with carrying out tasks with relation to municipal trees. They provide useful guidelines for performing urban forestry related activities and create consistency in operations as staff turnover occurs. References to the protection or planting of trees can be found in: City of Morden Land Policy and Procedures Manual, C/S 004. Dated July, 2015: Sets requirements for the responsibilities of the City with regards to planting and maintaining boulevard trees. Outlines the right of the city to inspect potentially hazardous private trees. 21 October, 2017

28 Provides guidelines for the species and location of boulevard trees, and in conjunction with WO-006, defines guidelines for planting at least one tree for every frontage in new and existing developments. Identifies that there are costs involved in removing or damaging trees without permission; with the potential ratio of 2:1 for replacement costs. Morden By-Law - 07BL.19 Boulevard Maintenance (Section 4.0) States that no person shall damage, deface, dig up, or injure trees on the boulevard. (Section 8.0) Prohibits placing material on a boulevard that may damage a tree, without a permit. (Section 12.0) Prohibits parking in a way that may damage a tree. (Section 15.0) Prohibits planting a tree on a boulevard without permission. (Section 17.0) The City takes ownership of trees planted in boulevards by residents, though the costs to maintain will be assumed by the property abutting the location. (Section 18 & 19) Similar to the Land and Policy Manual, prohibits the damaging, cutting, or removal of boulevard trees for any reason. City of Morden Corporate Plan: (December 2016) (Environmental Management; City Beautification Planning; Urban Forestry) Sets a vision for improving and maintaining the urban forest through budgets for elm treatment ($20,000) removals ($40,000) planting ($10,000)-and ($5,000) for new developments. Goal for improving Air and Water Quality through use of trees. Issue #8: Limited or non-specific tree related policies and bylaws regarding damage or protection. Recommendation: Consider implementing new policies regarding developments, and new bylaws or language that is specific in the protection of trees Tree Planting While engaged in tree planting in new developments, the city has primarily focused on planting trees at the request of homeowners. It maintains a list of requests, with address and selected species, and attempts to meet as many of these requests as possible. As outlined in it s policies, these trees then become the responsibility of the requesting homeowner to water and protect until the tree has matured Educational Materials At present, there are two types tree specific information materials. The Guidelines for Tree Care, found online on the Morden Urban Forest website, and three door hangers. 22 October, 2017

29 The Guidelines for Tree Care pamphlet provides information on how to maintain newly planted trees, as well as provides some information on what can and cannot be done to municipal (boulevard) trees (as per CS-004, and provincial regulations). Figure 9: Guidelines for Tree Care This is a useful document to help homeowners find information about locally specific regulations and recommendations. The Door Hangers are used to target specific addresses that have one of three actions requiring attention: Tree Removal, Tree Staking, and Tree Planting, Mulching & Protection. Tree Removal is used to inform the resident that the boulevard tree associated with their property is slated for removal for one of the reasons noted. Tree Staking is used to warn the resident that the tree associated with their property has one of the listed issues related to the stakes used to support their newly planted tree. Tree Planting Mulching and Protection is used to inform and warn the resident that the tree associated with their property requires changes, additions, or removal to one of the items listed. This can include improper mulching, incorrect planting, or better protection requirements. Other methods of communication can include use of the City website, and local newspapers to inform residents of upcoming actions, forestry related special events, and initiatives in the community. Please refer to the section on Education in Future Initiatives for recommendations on how to take these materials further. Issue #9: Excellent information is available, but somewhat difficult to access. Recommendation: Consider implementing adding information regarding tree benefits (i-trees) and diagrams to the information handouts. Figure 10: Notice of Removal Door Hanger 23 October, 2017

30 24 October, 2017

31 6 FUTURE URBAN FORESTRY INITIATIVES 6.1 Proactive Rotational Maintenance Program Address Issues # 2, 3, 6 and 7 To date, the maintenance of Morden s urban forest assets has been largely reactive. The City manages its trees by responding to emergencies, or to calls by the public or staff for specific pruning or removals. This type of reactive management has been found to be inefficient and leads to a bottleneck of maintenance requests. Furthermore, reaction-based maintenance programs have been found to leave little room for maintenance activities that are not emergency related. For example, young tree training or other preventative measures are frequently set aside to focus on requested tasks such as dead tree removal or broken limb cleanup. Therefore, issues may arise as a generation of trees mature with unaddressed health or structural defects that in turn lead to earlier failure than is necessary. The overall urban forest does not tend to develop solid mature trees, as is reflected in the current tree population in Morden (See Figure 5). The current Canopy Cover (14%) cannot be increased, to meet goals such as reducing the heat island effect (Morden Corporate Plan, 2016) without developing residual trees. Tree Planting is expensive, and newly planted trees take decades to provide the benefits of well established trees. By managing the urban forest proactively and maintaining trees from the day they are planted, the future urban forest of Morden will see a wider range of benefits; from larger, healthier trees, to reduced risk, and reduced need to respond to emergencies. Moreover, a healthier urban forest will add greater environmental and socio-economic benefits to the City. Street trees will require pruning City of Morden, Corporate Plan The proactive approach for Morden would divide the urban forest resources by neighbourhood zones and implement a rotational maintenance program on a 5-10 year cycle that addresses all aspects of tree maintenance. By focusing maintenance activities per geographic area, there will be less dispatch time needed, and public inquiries relating to routine tree maintenance activities can be addressed when the relevant neighbourhood is scheduled for work. Of course, as public safety is the top priority, there will always be some degree of reactive management necessary. For example, even wellmaintained trees have the potential to fail or succumb to biotic and/or abiotic stress factors. 25 October, 2017

32 6.1.1 Budget A 10-year rotational program is proposed for Morden, based on the following map, that recommends a delineation of the treed areas of Morden into 5 Management Zones (Figure 11). This would divide the trees as equally as possible, and attempt to distribute the different size classes evenly. To keep the area boundaries reasonable, there is variation. A 10-year cycle would mean each zone would be addressed once every 5 years. Attached below is a sample budget (Table 9) for the first 5 years, with estimated values for pruning and removals divided among the zones. An increase of 2% was added to account for inflation. Items such as Elm or other insect treatment is consistent through every year, as this work transcends the 5 year rotation. Figure 11: Proposed Tree Management Zones It is important to identify that these costs are estimates, and several assumptions were used to create this estimate: Pruning numbers were estimated by the ratio of trees in the zone, with the estimate that pruning needs were evenly distributed (Appendix E) Removals were similarly spread across all 5 years-staff should asses the hazard potential of all removals and determine if they should be addressed earlier in the cycle (particularly large trees). Stumps identified for grinding were included, as well as stumps for removals. 26 October, 2017

33 DED support was calculated based only on the $0.50/resident amount (population estimated to increase %5/year), there is still money available for elm identified by the inspectors for removals. This amount was not assumed to be available. Administration costs are based on those already budgeted. Costs for pruning/removals were based on pricing estimates-these costs may vary by region or contractors available. Replanting was not budgeted. 27 October, 2017

34 Activity Diameter Cost/Tree # of Trees Total Cost Activity Diameter Cost/Tree # of Trees Total Cost Activity Diameter Cost/Tree # of Trees Total Cost Table 9: Sample Budget Zone 1: 811 Trees Zone 2: 824 Trees Zone 3: 1129 Trees Tree Pruning 0-15 $ $4, $ $5, $ $6, $ $18,568 Tree $ $19,663 Tree $ $26, $471 0 $0 Pruning $480 0 $0 Pruning $490 7 $3, $824 0 $0 91+ $840 0 $0 91+ $857 0 $0 Activity Total 109 $23,310 Activity Total 113 $24,685 Activity Total 158 $37,191 Tree Removal 0-15 $149 3 $ $152 3 $ $155 4 $ $447 2 $1,104 Tree $456 3 $1,169 Tree $465 3 $1, $819 0 $0 Removal $835 0 $0 Removal $852 1 $ $1,910 0 $0 91+ $1,948 0 $0 91+ $1,987 0 $0 Activity Total 5 $1,546 Activity Total 6 $1,637 Activity Total 9 $3,091 Stump Removal 0-15 $149 4 $ $152 4 $ $155 5 $ $348 3 $974 Stump $355 3 $1,032 Stump $362 4 $1, $638 0 $0 Removal $651 0 $0 Removal $664 2 $1, $891 0 $0 91+ $909 0 $0 91+ $927 0 $0 Activity Total 7 $1,539 Activity Total 7 $1,630 Activity Total 11 $3,556 Other Costs Vehicles $5,115 Vehicles $5,217 Vehicles $5,322 Equipment $4,347 Other Equipment $4,434 Other Equipment $4,523 Admin/Misc $3,205 Costs Admin/Misc $3,269 Costs Admin/Misc $3,334 Wages $25,946 Wages $26,465 Wages $26,994 Fertilizer/Pest $20,000 Fertilizer/Pest $20,400 Fertilizer/Pest $20,808 Emergency $15,000 Emergency $15,300 Emergency $15,606 DED $35,000 DED $35,700 DED $36,414 DED Support $0.50 8,668 -$4,334 DED Support $0.50 9,101 -$4,551 DED Support $0.50 9,556 -$4,778 EAB Provision $10,000 EAB Provision $10,200 EAB Provision $10,404 Tree Planting 160 $15,000 Tree Planting 160 $15,300 Tree Planting 160 $15,606 Activity Total $129,279 Activity Total $131,735 Activity Total $134,233 Grand Total $155,674 Grand Total $159,687 Grand Total $178, October, 2017

35 Activity Diameter Cost/Tree # of Trees Total Cost Activity Diameter Cost/Tree # of Trees Total Cost Zone 4: 1119 Trees Zone 5: 1023 Trees Tree Pruning 0-15 $ $6, $ $6, $ $27, $ $25,353 Tree Pruning $500 7 $3, $510 1 $ $874 0 $0 91+ $892 0 $0 Activity Total 157 $37,630 Activity Total 138 $32, $158 4 $ $161 4 $ $474 3 $1, $484 3 $1,508 Tree Removal Tree Removal $869 1 $ $887 0 $0 91+ $2,027 0 $0 91+ $2,067 0 $0 Activity Total 8 $3,133 Activity Total 7 $2, $158 5 $ $161 5 $771 Stump $369 4 $1, $377 4 $1,330 Stump Removal Removal $677 2 $1, $691 0 $0 91+ $946 0 $0 91+ $964 0 $0 Activity Total 11 $3,607 Activity Total 8 $2,101 Vehicles $5,428 Vehicles $5,537 Equipment $4,613 Equipment $4,705 Other Costs Admin/Misc $3,401 Other Costs Admin/Misc $3,469 Wages $27,534 Wages $28,085 Fertilizer/Pest $21,224 Fertilizer/Pest $21,649 Emergency $15,918 Emergency $16,236 DED $37,142 DED $37,885 DED Support $ ,034 -$5,017 DED Support $ ,536 -$5,268 EAB Provision $10,612 EAB Provision $10,824 Tree Planting 160 $15,918 Tree Planting 160 $16,236 Activity Total $136,774 Activity Total $139,359 Grand Total $181,145 Grand Total $175, October, 2017

36 6.2 Emerald Ash Borer Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a highly significant threat to all ash trees in the City. With over 40% of the public trees represented in the vulnerable Fraxinus geuns, EAB has the potential of wiping out the cities natural aesthetic, cause a decline in the human populations mental and physical wellbeing, significantly reduce the ecological services provided by the forest, and drain municipal budgets as they deal with extensive removals. Many infested municipalities cannot keep up with the removals needed, and are triaging risks-leaving ugly and still risk heavy trees standing in public spaces. When EAB is detected in Morden, all untreated ash trees in the City will likely die within 3-5 years. This insect has already killed more than 20 million ash trees in the Midwest and has been confirmed in as close as Thunder Bay, Ontario and Duluth, Minnesota. Because the cost impacts of EAB infestation can be catastrophic, it is recommended that the City immediately begin reducing the population density of ash trees within the community and work to diversify the City tree population. Davey makes the following EAB recommendations: At minimum begin setting aside money for large scale removal programs (included in the budget above); Consider what budget may be available, and what level of potential loss the city is comfortable with-the cost of treatment is very high; Plans can vary from treating all trees, to treating select heritage trees, to treating no trees at all; Train parks and other staff in the signs of EAB Train municipal staff to recognize ash wood, to help prevent the spread; Partner and support municipalities closer to the current known boundaries, help them slow the spread to Morden; Remove all ash trees during street reconstruction projects and under utility lines. Begin an annual inspection program of all City-owned ash trees. Implement a comprehensive public relations program, and education and outreach campaign to communicate the City s EAB response, and reduce the transportation of ash material. Replant all ash tree removals as soon as possible. 6.3 Tree Inventory and Risk Assessment Management Many types of tree inventory systems have been used by cities to gather and organize information about their trees. A tree inventory system must meet the specific requirements of that municipality, and provide detailed and useful information that staff will utilize daily to manage workloads more efficiently. Morden has been proactive as it has completed a comprehensive tree inventory in The strengths of this inventory include: A complete inventory of all public trees 30 October, 2017

37 Tree size attributes Geospatial information that is managed in a GIS optimized for urban forest management Unique identifiers for each tree Block side location information Multiple attributes including species, DBH, and overall condition With a robust tree inventory put in place, the City has set itself up for a successful urban forest management program. This information is vital for Morden to move forward proactively; however, tree inventory data is a snap shot of the current conditions of the trees the moment they are assessed. While Morden has been set up with the capability of managing and continually updating inventory data through tracking software such as TreeKeeper, it is inevitable that many trees will not be assessed on an ongoing basis. Typically, an inventory will be relevant for a period of up to 10 years. After this period, the City should consider either completing a full inventory, or partially updating the inventory each year by neighbourhood, as the routine maintenance is scheduled. Now that this inventory provides a baseline of the status of Morden s green infrastructure, follow up inventories should focus on additions and improvements Additions for Future Inventories Risk Attributes: Arborist can collect information about the type of risk posed, the size, and the likelihood of failure. This information will help managers determine the priority rating for work. If the City chooses to move towards rotational management, it will help determine whether a tree outside the rotation requires maintenance, or can wait until its turn. Maintenance Types: The addition of notes such as Raise, Reduce, or Thin will help the inventory arborist communicate their thoughts to the operations staff. Location Value: Based on values in the Tree Appraisal Guide, by the ISA, location value is the assessment of the site, the tree, and the surrounding neighborhood to determine how valuable the tree is to that specific site. While the city may or may not use this to help calculate an appraisal, the number will help managers determine if the tree is worth more aesthetic pruning, or worth replanting in the case of failure Improve Consistency of Data Collection Standards of Data Collection: Utilizing the methods set in this plan to ensure collection is carried out consistently between arborists. This will ensure the data is cleaner for future analysis. Quality Control: It is important to follow-up any collection with some quality control to ensure consistency across arborists. A good program would: 1. Assess a minimum of 10% of all trees collected. 2. Select random sites to assess. 3. Track minor or major errors 31 October, 2017

38 4. Have a system for follow up A quality control technician would follow staff once or twice a week, and collect sites to compare the data, and examine discrepancies. Major issues would be excessive size differences, or incorrect condition. Minor issues are poor placement on the GPS unit, or smaller size differences Timing Rather than collecting all 4800 trees again, the city could consider partial updates as part of their regular maintenance. By completing partial updates, the City will be able to distribute the associated costs and build the inventory into the rotational maintenance program. For example, on year 5 (2023), Area 1 would be scheduled for it s second round of routine maintenance (if it was initially scheduled in 2018). During this rotation, an inventory arborist would inventory the trees, and this data would inform primary and secondary maintenance recommendations on routine work to be completed that year. The inventory arborist would inventory and assess trees a step ahead of the maintenance crews completing the tree work. Another great benefit of building the inventory into the rotational maintenance program is that the inventory arborist would also be conducting risk assessments as part of a rotational risk assessment program. This would ensure that all trees maintained by the City are assessed at least once every 10 years. In the interim, the inventory should be updated continually as maintenance work is completed and site inspections are made. Investing in hand held PDA s or tablet personal computers would enable City staff to quickly and effectively update the inventory while in the field. 6.4 Tree Planting Program Addresses Issues #1, 3, and Overview of Tree Planting As identified by Figure 8, the City is currently well below the recommended 35-40% canopy cover. The estimated 48% grassed area available represents an excellent opportunity to increase the tree cover through new plantings. It can be assumed that this space is a mixture of public and private property, allowing for a mix of planting responses. A combined program of landowner planting initiatives, and municipal planting goals will be needed to assist increasing cover by If the City can support the planting of a minimum of 80 caliper trees per year, it would have increased the tree population by over 10% over 10 years, if mortality can be kept to 25%. Costs can be reduced, and available space increased, by maintaining the donation to landowners program to either have planted, or plant themselves. It is important to maintain the follow-up program the city has in place as homeowners do not always plant or main them per standard practice. There are a few cost-sharing programs available to help enhance this endeavour. For example, Tree Canada has a partnership with CN rail that provides support to municipalities for tree planting 32 October, 2017

39 programs. Tree Canada further more has its own programs that Morden could residents and businesses apply for (Tree Canada, 2017). Tree Canada also has a program called Green Streets, that supported municipal tree planting programs. This is currently closed until Where possible, tree planting should be completed by experienced and qualified personnel in accordance with ANSI A300 Standards. Trees survive best if watered for a period of 1-3 years postplanting. The following recommendations are provided to improve the success of Morden s tree planting program: Newly planted trees should be added to the City s inventory where feasible Include planting requirements in all contracts to outside tree planting contractors Amend policies (such as in the policies and procedure manual) requiring tree planting to include reference to planting specifications. Trees should be inspected by City staff or a Certified Arborist immediately after planting and again at the end of the guarantee period. Newly planted trees should be placed on a young tree maintenance program starting in the third year after planting, or the next reasonable year in the rotation. Maintain a database with mortality surveys for newly planted trees that fail to establish. These surveys would identify key factors causing mortality to improve the success of future planting efforts Species Selection As discussed in the Principal Inventory Cultivar Native to Analysis, recommended maximum densities 11% Manitoba of species populations are not to exceed 30% 3% from a single family, 20% from a single genus, and 10% for a single species (Lilly & Currid, 2010). Morden has 44% of its urban forest in the Oleaceae family, 41% in the Fraxinus Exotic Native genus, and 33% in Green Ash species. It is 29% 57% important to begin selecting species from outside these groups. When considering the next species to select for planting, one criteria to consider is the composition of and exotic Figure 12: Native versus exotic population distribution species. There is a relatively small pool of native species, trees that are hardy enough for the zone (discussed later) and once grew here, but not many that are tolerant of the urban setting. Some exotics are better adapted to the urban environment, and can provide genetic diversity as pests and diseases inevitably spread. Therefore, exotics are not expressly excluded. 33 October, 2017

40 The use of native species is an important aspect of species selection. Native trees are essential for an urban forest to support local ecosystems. They are often the best species to select when it comes to adaptation to the local climate and tend to have the greatest resistance to local pests and diseases. On a cultural level, native species are part of Morden s natural heritage which helps give the City a unique character and sense of place. Due to the heavy reliance on green ash, there is a higher percentage of native trees (Figure 13) species in Morden. As shown in Figure 13, a total of 57% of Morden s urban forest is composed of native species, with Manitoba the remaining 29% being Bur Oak Maple exotic (the rest are cultivars, or 6% 4% Native to Manitoba though not American Elm 9% the region, such as White Spruce). Furthermore, Figure 14 shows that of the native species population, 81% is comprised of only two species. Basswood Thus, Morden s urban forest 19% Green Ash 62% has a low diversity of native tree species. These variables are important to bear in mind when selecting species for future tree planting efforts in the City. Figure 13: Top 10 native species distributions Proper landscaping and tree species selection are critical components to the character, livability, and ecological quality of a community s urban forest. Urban trees require careful site selection as part of responsible planting practices. Adopting a philosophy such as right tree, right location, will ensure that trees are selected that will best suit the chosen site Recommended Planting Lists The recommended planting list provided is offered to supplement the planting list already available from the City of Morden. The current list is attached as Appendix D. If some or all of these are available for selection, considering them may help increase the species diversity within the population. These trees have been selected because of their functional characteristics and their ability to exist in most soil and climate conditions found throughout the Morden area. This suggested species list was compiled using excellent references including Dirr s Hardy Trees and Shrubs (Dirr, 2003), the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (5 th Edition) (Dirr, 1998), Trees in Canada (Farrar, 2007), and Trees of Western North America (Spellenberg, 2014). Tree sizes have been categorized as small (1-9 m), medium (10-15 m), and large (16+ m), based on the references used to compile the list. Per Agriculture Manitoba, Morden is primarily a fine loamy-clay soil, with an approximate horizon depth of 15 cm. This is understandable given the years of development and activity. Surrounding 34 October, 2017

41 Mature Size Boulevard Parks Woodlands Tree Pits Native areas are noted as fine to coarse-textured loams, with poor drainage (Manitoba, 2017). This could support Table 10:Recommended coniferous trees for planting Coniferous Trees Scientific Name Common Name Cultivar Abies concolor White Fir L Abies lasiocarpa Subalpine Fir L Picea abies Norway Spruce L Picea englelmannii Engelman Spruce L Picea omorika Serbian Spruce L Picea pungens Colorado Spruce L Pinus parviflora Japanese White Pine M Pinus contorta Lodgepole Pine L Pinus resinosa Red Pine (Native to Manitoba) M Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine (Native to Manitoba) L Pinus thunbergii Japanese Black Pine L Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir L Tsuga canadensis Canadian Hemlock L 35 October, 2017

42 Mature Size Boulevard Parks Woodlands Tree Pits Native Table 11: Recommended deciduous trees for planting Deciduous Trees Scientific Name Common Name Cultivar Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain Maple M Acer platanoides Norway Maple Multiple cultivars M Acer psuedoplatanus Sycamore Maple L Acer rubrum Red Maple Autumn Blaze Maple' 'Bowhall Maple' 'Columnar Red Maple' Davey Red -'Karpick Maple' 'Morgan Maple' New World 'October Glory Maple' 'Red Sunset Maple' 'Scanlon Red Maple' 'Scarlet Maple' L Acer saccharum Sugar Maple Appollo Greencolumn Mountain Park, or local stock L Acer spicatum Mountain Maple S Acer x freemanii Freeman maple Autumn Blaze Maple M Aesculus hippocastanum Common Horsechestnut L Betula pendula Weeping Birch M Betula occidentalis Water Birch M 36 October, 2017

43 Mature Size Boulevard Parks Woodlands Tree Pits Native Scientific Name Common Name Cultivar Betula papyrifera Paper Birch M Betula platyphylla Asian White Birch M Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsura Tree M Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud Northland Strain Cornus Canadensis Bunchberry S S Corylys cornata Beaked Hazelnut S Fagus grandiflora American Beech L Fagus sylvatica European Beech L Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree Princeton Sentry' Gleditsia triacanthos inermis Thornless Honeylocust Shademaster' 'Skyline' 'Maxwell' M- L L Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree L Maackia amurensis Amur Maackia S Magnolia 'Galaxy' Galaxy Magnolia S Malus x 'Prairiefire' Prairiefire Crabapple S Northofagus antarctica Antarctic Beech M Phellodendron amurense Amur Cork Tree M 37 October, 2017

44 Mature Size Boulevard Parks Woodlands Tree Pits Native Scientific Name Common Name Cultivar Prunus cerasifera pissardi Purpleleaf Plum M Prunus americana American Plum M Prunus serotina Black Cherry M Prunus serrulat Japanese Flowering Cherry S Prunus virginiana Chokecherry S Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer Pear S Quercus palustris Pin Oak L Quercus rubra Red Oak L Sorbus alnifolia Korean Mountain Ash M Tilia americana Basswood Redmond' L Viburnum lentago Sweet Viburnum Nannyberry S Planting Pits Across the country there is interest in improving trees planted in the Urban Streetscape. While it is ideal to plant trees in areas that are large enough, above and below the ground, to support them, that would mean large areas of the downtown going without the benefits of trees. When planting in the hardscaped areas of Mordens downtown, it is important to reconsider how Planting Pits (or Planting Coffins ) are built. Tree mortality is extremely high, especially when these sites are not well thought out, and the costs of replanting are high. However, aside from completely abandoning planting sites in dense urban areas, there are some steps that can be taken to increase the life span and benefits from these street trees. Resources such as GreenBlue.com and the University of Florida provide advise and options around how to improve a bad situation. Below is a summary of the issues and potential solutions. 38 October, 2017

45 Maximise Soil Space A rule of 4 can be applied in this case. A 4 diameter tree will fill a 4 x4 x4 hole in 4 years. Once it has achieved this, failure and mortality are inevitable. With this in mind, planting spaces can be maximised by using expensive technologies such as soil cells. Morden may want to instead consider instead designing street spaces with multiple planting spaces connected, rather than isolated. This will improve rooting space for all trees on the site, at a cheaper cost Soil Condition When either replanting or building the planting pit, it is important to bring in either engineered soil that is made specifically to support urban traffic, while providing tree nutrient needs, or at least consider improving the soils in place. It is highly likely the soils currently on site are contaminated, poorly stratified, and nutrient poor. It is important to not keep reusing soils that are clearly inferior Reduce Compaction Trees need to be protected, at least in a minimum Tree Protection Zone around the tree trunk. Fencing, grating, or the like are important to reduce soil compaction by either walking, driving, or placing material directly over the most important parts of the tree. These also have the added benefit of reducing physical damage to the trunk-something very common in urban trees Improve Irrigation Urban tree pits often suffer from both anaerobic conditions, as well as drought. Poorly drained soils build allow water to pool, suffocating the roots, while the reduced soil area means when rain is in short supply, the roots do not have the space to search or even store water supplies. Aside from the above discussions about maximizing space, reducing compaction and improving soils, irrigation systems may be built that improve the cities ability to water or drain the planting pits. 6.5 Urban Forestry Bylaws Addresses Issues #5, 7, and 8 Morden does not currently have an Urban Forest (or Tree) Bylaw, and instead relies on the wording within the Policy and Procedures Manual to protect its trees. There are other options City could consider to augment this: 1. Urban Forest Bylaw to specifically protect its urban canopy including private trees; 2. Enact a clear by-law to replace the policy and procedures manual; 3. Defined policies for the protection of trees during development. An example of a Private Tree Bylaw for a smaller size town is that of the Summer Village of Birchcliff, Alberta. In 2014, the City enacted a by-law which, among other provisions, requires that No person shall substantially prune or remove a tree without a valid permit from the Summer Village. This includes private trees. Such bylaws are strong, but come with higher opposition. 39 October, 2017

46 A more moderate approach would be like the City of High River Alberta, which in 2009 created a bylaw restricting actions only against public trees. Their bylaw carried specific guidelines about what constitutes damage, who could work on trees, and what penalties would be. This option could involve amending the current bylaw to include some of the language from the other municipalities. For example, the bylaw states simply No person shall break, dig up, or remove or in any way injure or deface the trees, shrubs, plants or turf located on a boulevard. This does not provide the necessary guidelines to determine how the trees need to be protected, nor what constitutes damage, or the procedures for calculating cost of replacement/repair. Further, while there is statement to the effect there will be a replacement of mature trees at a rate of 1:1, the loss of ecological services in the time it takes for the planted tree to regain maturity is great, as well as the risk in mortality. If a 1:1 ratio is to be kept, the bylaw should set limits on caliper size and species selection to ensure as close a replacement as feasible. Finally, the use of an Bylaw, or strengthened policy, can be used to guide the loss of trees due to development. There are examples of cities that have defined the difference between private trees on lots smaller than 1 acre, typically residential, and those over 1 acre. The City of Ottawa, for example, has stricter guidelines in applications to remove trees in the larger context. Applicants would be required to provide mapped inventories, with a certified arborist backing why these trees, especially significant trees were to be removed (Ottawa, 2017). The following recommendations are further provided as other suggestions to be considered during future bylaw reviews, or for creating an Urban Forest Bylaw: Establish a standard Minimum Tree Protection Zone (with a minimum of 4 times the DBH) distance for all Protected Trees (such as those chosen for protection in a development plan). Add language to the Bylaw that addresses concerns about the protection of woodland buffers, ravines, and other natural areas. Create a list of species not permitted for planting on public property. Examples of species to prohibit may include those with prominent thorns, large fruits, and those known to be invasive. Provide guidelines on Pruning based on industry standards. Provide guidelines on Planting based on industry standards (see below) Tree Planting Programs Addresses Issues #5 and 9 As discussed in the tree planting initiative section, Morden already gives trees to homeowners, and has a program for new tree planting. There is the tree planting door hanger, but this should be augmented with the addition of diagrams, to simplify and make clearer what a well planted or cared for tree should look like. Please refer to Appendix B for an example of an image. Specifically, it should be clear that the entirety of the hole that is dug is at least 2x wider than the ball, and that mulch is kept at least 100mm away from the truck. 40 October, 2017

47 There are additional criteria that can be added to tree planting guidelines, which are outlined below. Develop tree planting specifications for various planting sites such as raised planters, tree pits, and open areas. Comprise a list of suitable species for planting near overhead utilities. Determine appropriate distances for tree spacing to adjacent trees, property lines, and infrastructure such as sidewalks, roads, traffic signs, and utilities. Develop planting details for bare root and potted trees. Define acceptable mortality rates. Identify acceptable stock standards. Review planting standards every 10 years to account for changes in industry standards. It is important that this standard is referenced in other material, because it sets the guidelines that developers, homeowners, and contracted tree planters should follow. These guidelines not only help to ensure that trees are planted correctly, but they also ensure accountability with those completing the work. Furthermore, setting standards in tree planting ensures that trees have a higher success rate in the short and long-term, which is favourable to the overall health and benefit of the urban forest in Morden. For example, by specifying what trees can be planted under utilities and how far trees should be spaced from each other and surrounding infrastructure (such as roads, sidewalks, buildings, etc.), the amount of future tree related conflicts with these landscape features can be reduced. Upon reviewing the tree planting specifications provided by the City, the following recommendations are made: Tree Protection Barriers Addresses Issues #2 and 5 There are currently no requirements for Tree Protection Barriers when work is being completed near public trees. Such requirements would include a diagram specifying the construction material, location, and restrictions of barriers. The following recommendations are suggested to guide the accessibility of information and effectiveness regarding Tree Protection Barriers: Include standard signage to be posted on tree protection fences to inform the public and the contractors of the importance of the Tree Protection Zone. It is recommended that this signage be mandatory and installed on all sides of the barriers. Specify whether the barriers should be free-floating or anchored to the ground using T-bars or similar methods. Include standard dimensions on the diagram. Consider requiring plywood in place of plastic mesh screening when fill or excavate may be stored near a barrier. Plywood is not recommended near roadsides where visibility is essential. Consider adding sediment control fencing specifications for areas where fill or excavate are stored. 41 October, 2017

48 State that protection fencing should be installed as per the approved Tree Protection Plan. Specify that approval of the Tree Protection Barrier is required prior to commencement of construction. Specify that protection barriers may not be altered without prior approval from Morden staff Trees and construction To help prevent damage to municipal trees during construction, an education campaign would be beneficial. An Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction brochure could be aimed at providing supplementary information pertaining to construction and tree preservation. It could provide information on how trees are damaged during construction, where to get advice for tree preservation options, planning, and installing tree protection barriers. This brochure could include: A section on Site and Landscape Plans that stipulates that the precise location of each tree, existing and proposed infrastructure, construction access points and staging areas, root exploration and pruning areas, Tree Protection Zones, and Tree Protection Barriers should be included in the plan. These plans would preferably be completed by a Certified Arborist or equivalent. A section on Tree Replacement Plans with information on Tree Guarantee Deposits for replacement trees. A section on Arboricultural Work that stipulates what sort of tree preservation activities must be completed by a qualified Arborist and at what time. This may include root exploration, root and canopy pruning, construction monitoring, and post-construction reporting and remedial activities. Comprise a list of common tree species in Morden that are intolerant of construction impacts. Information pertaining to migratory birds and species at risk. Information pertaining to shared trees, or neighbour owned trees that may be impacted by construction. Include specifications for horizontal root protection that may be necessary in places where required construction access limits the extent of Tree Protection Barriers. While the brochure, overall, is a useful tool to aid development in taking the necessary precautions pertaining to tree preservation these recommendations cannot be enforced if they are not developed into a set policy or standard Woodlands Woodland buffers are natural, forested areas that exist on both public and private properties. These areas provide valuable canopy coverage and air quality benefits for the entire City as well as sitespecific benefits such as privacy, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, storm water retention, and energy reduction. Woodlands are an especially valuable municipal asset because they provide these benefits with very little investment in management, maintenance, and planting costs. Separate 42 October, 2017

49 policies need to be developed to successfully maintain these landscape features and ensure their continued presence in the City. These policies currently do not exist for Morden. It is recommended that the City review natural area protection standards developed by other municipalities which can be used as a basis for its own policy development in this area. The policy would ideally incorporate a target level of intact woodland canopy cover, which is important because it is possible to have a high total urban forest canopy cover while having little or no intact woodlands. These policies should help to guide land use decisions for publicly owned woodland buffers and incorporating them as appropriate bylaw provisions that would regulate the loss of woodlands on private property Other Standards and Policies The benefit of adopting standards and policies is to guide the processes involved with carrying out municipal tasks and to provide useful guidelines for performing urban forestry related activities and creating consistency in operations as staff turnover occurs. The overall goal of these standards and policies is to improve the state of the urban forest and ensure its long-term success. Other recommendations include: Developing a policy that more trees will be planted each year than will be removed. Without this simple goal, a net loss of tree cover will occur in Morden, reducing the overall benefits provided by its urban forest. Ensure that adequate funds are budgeted to maintain trees that are planted. Making tree preservation a more significant part of the plan/site review process for all Urban Forestry staff in all phases of site development. Reviewing the City s policies and standards every 5 to 10 years and include public consultation concerning major revisions. 6.6 Public Relations and Education Addresses Issue #9 Morden may go through great lengths to manage and enhance its public urban forest; however, a large proportion of trees exist on private property. Residential and commercial property owners influence much of the City s canopy cover through the actions they take to care for trees on their properties. The public further influences the urban forest through its ability to participate in public processes regarding land development and policy making. This influence can be seen on both public and private lands. Thus, it is vitally important for Morden to educate and inform the public on the importance and benefits of the Urban Forest and to provide them with the necessary information and resources on all aspects relating to tree care and establishment Communicating the Program and Urban Forest Benefits The citizens effectively own both the public and private urban forests. Without greater political support and increased citizen understanding and commitment, urban forest management in Morden 43 October, 2017

50 may not reach its full potential. Therefore, it is important for staff to communicate with and educate the public about the benefits of trees, the Urban Forestry Section s programs, and what can be done to improve both their own trees and public trees. Creating a comprehensive communication plan will help deliver key messages. This plan would highlight the existing efforts and resources; identify opportunities, and integrate City and stakeholder efforts and resources to maximize the effectiveness of all communication efforts. Several actions can be taken to better promote the urban forestry program and public participation: Create a marketing campaign for urban forest programs to capture the attention and support of the community. Work with Non-Profits to utilize volunteers or partner on funding applications. Update the City s website to include information about cyclical pruning, maps of zones, and schedules. Update the City s website to include photos and recommended trees for planting. Develop a central, unifying theme or message for the urban forestry program that the City and all stakeholders can use. Distribute the i-tree benefits results to demonstrate the environmental impact and value of trees to internal and external customers of the urban forest management program. Develop a new program or adapt the existing program to work with local schools to address maintenance of existing trees and to identify opportunities to plant additional trees on school grounds. Assist schools to develop landscape plans for school properties that may include naturalized landscaping, outdoor classrooms, and natural playgrounds. Create an educational program orienting newly elected public officials to the City s urban forestry program, efforts, and goals Training and Education of Staff Training of City staff involved in urban forestry is vitally important to the success of the program. The following recommendations are made to improve staff training and education: All staff who perform tree related activities should become Certified Arborists or Certified Tree Workers through the International Society of Arboriculture. All staff performing tree risk assessments should hold a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Staff should attend urban forestry workshops for professional development. Knowledge they gain can then be presented and shared with other staff in the department. Create a specific budget item that provides dedicated funds for training and professional staff development. Incorporate webinar lectures during downtime to keep staff up to date with urban forestry and the latest solutions in tree management. Promote internal educational opportunities by increasing professional interaction, coordination, and communication between departments and staff regarding tree planting, maintenance, and tree preservation principles and practices. 44 October, 2017

51 7 REFERENCES City of Morden Policy and Procedures Manual. Tree Control C/S-004, pdf. July 15, Accessed June, City of Morden, The Town of Mordon Bylaw NO Being a By-law of the Town of Morden to provide for the care and maintenance of boulevards. Access June, City of Ottawa, Bylaw NO A by-law of the City of Ottawa to protect trees on private property in the urban area. f. Accessed July 4, 2017 Dirr, Michael Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. 1 st ed. Portland: Tiaber Press. Dirr, Michael Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 5 th ed. Champaign: Stipes Pulishing. Farrar, John L Trees in Canada. Ottawa: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited and the Canadian Forest Service. Government of Manitoba, Agriculture Soil Survey. Web. July 8, Government of Canada, 2016 Climate Normals and Averages; Morden CDA. Web. ov&lstprovince=mb&txtcentrallatmin=0&txtcentrallatsec=0&txtcentrallongmin=0&txtcen trallongsec=0&stnid=3626&dispback=0. June 6, 2017 Judd, W.S.; Campbell, C.S.; Kellogg, E.A.; Stevens, P.F.; Donoghue, M.J Taxonomy. In Plant Systematics A Phylogenetic Approach, Third Edition. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates. Lands Directorate, Terrestrial Ecozones Of Canada. Ecological Land Classification No. 19, 1986, p. 26 Lilly, Sharon and Peggy Currid Arborists' Certification Study Guide. Champaign: International Society of Arboriculture. Millward, Andrew and Sabir, Senna Structure of a forested urban park: Implications for strategic management. Journal of Environmental Management. Vol. 91, Issue Natural Resources Canada, Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada. Web. June 6, October, 2017

52 Pokorny, Jill; O'Brien, Joseph; Hauer, Richard; Johnson, Gary; Albers, Jana; Bedker, Peter; Mielke, Manfred Urban Tree Risk Management: A Community Guide to Program Design and Implementation. USDA Forest Service NE Area State and Private Forestry. Smiley, Thomas; Matheny, Nelda; Lilly, Sharon Tree Risk Assessment: Levels of Assessment. International Society of Arboriculture. Statistics Canada. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses 100% data (Manitoba)". February 8, Retrieved February 8, TLC for Trees, Summary Planting Diagram. Accessed March 22, October, 2017

53 8 RESOURCES American Forests, The Sustainable Urban Forest, A Step by Step Approach. ov2016.pdf. November, Accessed July 4, Best Management Practices Integrated Pest Management International Society of Arboriculture. Canada s Plant Hardiness Site. Natural Resources Canada. Accessed: January Dirr, Michael Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. 1 st ed. Portland: Tiaber Press. Dirr, Michael Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 5 th ed. Champaign: Stipes Pulishing. Farrar, John L Trees in Canada. Ottawa: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited and the Canadian Forest Service. BC Plant Health Care, 2015, How to Choose a Tree Care Company, International Society of Arboriculture Best Management Practices: Tree inventories, Second Edition. PlantMaps. Accessed: August, Recognizing Tree Hazards, Urban Tree Risk Management Guide: A Community Guide to Program and Implementation Urban Trees and Shrubs: A Guide to the Selection of Trees and Shrubs in Urban Areas, Section 1. Chicago Botanic Garden. Accessed: August, The Tree Atlas. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Accessed: Septeaber, D_ html?region=nativeSpecies-algoma(Northern) 47 October, 2017

54 Tree By-laws and Policies. City of Toronto. Accessed January VCM d60f89RCRD 48 October, 2017

55 9 APPENDIX A: TREE INVENTORY 9.1 Structural and Physical Condition Assessment Criteria Condition Excellent Good Fair Structural Condition Consider root condition/formation, trunk condition and branch assembly and arrangement Root plate undisturbed and clear of any obstructions. Root flare has normal development. No visible trunk defects or cavities. Branch spacing/structure and attachments are free of any defects. Root plate appears normal; only minor damage may be found. Possible signs of root dysfunction around trunk flare. Minor trunk defects from previous injury, with good closure; less than 25% of bark section missing. Good branch habit, minor dieback with some signs of previous pruning. Codominant stem formation may be present. Minor corrections required Root plate reveals previous damage or disturbance and dysfunctional roots may be visible around main stem. Evidence of trunk damage or cavities with decay or defects present. Less than 30% of bark sections missing on trunk. Codominant stems are present. Branching habit and attachments indicate poor pruning or damage, which requires moderate corrections. Physical Condition Consider crown indicators including vigor, density, leaf size, quality and stem shoot extensions Perfect specimen with excellent form and vigor, well-balanced crown. Trunk is sound and solid. No apparent pest problems. Normal to exceeding shoot length on new growth. Leaf size and color normal. Exceptional life expectancy for the species. Imperfect canopy density in few parts of the tree, 10% or less, lacking natural symmetry. Less than half normal growth rate and minor deficiency in leaf development. Few pest issues or damage, controllable. Normal branch and stem development with healthy growth. Typical life expectancy for the species. Crown decline and dieback up to 30% of the canopy. Overall poor symmetry. Leaf color somewhat chlorotic with smaller leaves. Shoot extensions indicate some stunting and stressed growing conditions. Obvious signs of pest problems contributing to lesser condition. Some decay areas found in main stem and branches. Below average life expectancy. 49 October, 2017

56 Poor Root plate disturbance and defects indicate major damage with girdling roots around the trunk flare. Trunk reveals more than 50% of bark section missing. Branch structure has poor attachments, with several structurally important dead or broken. Canopy reveals signs of severe damage or topping, with major corrective actions required. Lacking full crown, more than 50% decline and dieback, especially affecting larger branches. Stunting obvious with little evidence of growth on smaller stems. Leaf size and color reveals overall stress in the plant. Insect or disease infestation may be severe. Extensive decay or hollow. Life expectancy is low. 50 October, 2017

57 9.2 Arborist Notes other stems: growing into grate or guard ROW is incorrect in this area addressing is strange but correct growing into sidewalk sample site adelgids growing through fence scale insects anthracnose gypsy moth scars aphids hangers Seiridium canker apple scab hollow serious decline bagworms hollow stems/liabs severe basal decay horizontal stress cracks signs of stress behind fence improperly installed slime flux bent bole improperly mulched soil compaction beware of improperly pruned soil erosion blockside is strange but correct in failure southern pine beetle borers included bark specimen tree Broken/cracked liabs inferior species split stem/branches cable and brace install lightning protection storm damage cable and brace or remove Ips beetle structural defects cabling system installed landmark tree stump sprouts cankers large leader or liab decay suckers carpenter ants leaning tag nuaber cavity or decay lightning struck tall stump cedar apple rust lost main leader tent caterpillars chlorosis lost major leader or liab termites clearance maple decline tip blight codominant leaders mechanical damage topped construction damage memorial tree tree is too damaged to save correct lean or remove multi-stemmed trunk decay crotch split natural area trunk wounds crown dieback noticeable degree of lean and direction of lean unbalanced crown Cytospora canker nutrient deficiency unmaintained area dead leaders oak wilt vandal damage decay fungi pest problem verify species diseased, discoloured foliage/liabs pine wilt vertical stress cracks drought stress pitch canker Verticilium wilt Dutch elm disease poor location wooded area elm leaf beetle poor root system woodpecker/squirrel damage emerald ash borer poor structure Zimmerman pine moth evidence of attack by insects powdery mildew evidence of decay within the (ABove ground) root flare remove exotic invasive species remove all nearby 51 October, 2017

58 exotic species external indicators of decay such as fungal fruiting bodies fall webworm fire ants fire blight frost cracks further inspection required Fusiform rust Ganoderma butt rot girdled by wires girdling roots GIS is incorrect in this area grate or guard growing into remove extra leaders remove extra stems remove grafted remove hardware remove mistletoe remove or leave as habitat tree remove poison ivy remove rope remove swing remove vines remove weed trees restricted grow space root damage root decay 52 October, 2017

59 10 APPENDIX B: PLANTING DIAGRAM Example planting diagram (TLC for Trees, 2017) 53 October, 2017

60 11 APPENDIX C: CANOPY METHODOLOGY AND ACCURACY ASSESSMENT Classification Methodology utilized an object-based image analysis (OBIA) semi-automated feature extraction method to process and analyze current high-resolution color infrared (CIR) aerial imagery and remotely-sensed data to identify tree canopy cover and land cover classifications. The use of imagery analysis is cost-effective and provides a highly accurate approach to assessing your community's existing tree canopy coverage. This supports responsible tree management, facilitates community forestry goal-setting, and improves urban resource planning for healthier and more sustainable urban environments. Advanced image analysis methods were used to classify, or separate, the land cover layers from the overall imagery. The semi-automated extraction process was completed using Feature Analyst, an extension of ArcGIS. Feature Analyst uses an object-oriented approach to cluster together objects with similar spectral (i.e., color) and spatial/contextual (e.g., texture, size, shape, pattern, and spatial association) characteristics. The land cover results of the extraction process was post-processed and clipped to each project boundary prior to the manual editing process in order to create smaller, manageable, and more efficient file sizes. Secondary source data, high-resolution aerial imagery provided by each UTC city, and custom ArcGIS tools were used to aid in the final manual editing, quality checking, and quality assurance processes (QA/QC). The manual QA/QC process was implemented to identify, define, and correct any misclassifications or omission errors in the final land cover layer. Classification Workflow 1) Prepare imagery for feature extraction (resampling, rectification, etc.), if needed. 2) Gather training set data for all desired land cover classes (canopy, impervious, grass, bare soil, shadows). Water samples are not always needed since hydrologic data are available for most areas. Training data for impervious features were not collected because the City maintained a completed impervious layer. 3) Extract canopy layer only; this decreases the amount of shadow removal from large tree canopy shadows. Fill small holes and smooth to remove rigid edges. 4) Edit and finalize canopy layer at 1:1500 scale. A point file is created to digitize-in small individual trees that will be missed during the extraction. These points are buffered to represent the tree canopy. This process is done to speed up editing time and improve accuracy by including smaller individual trees. 5) Extract remaining land cover classes using the canopy layer as a mask; this keeps canopy shadows that occur within groups of canopy while decreasing the amount of shadow along edges. 6) Edit the impervious layer to reflect actual impervious features, such as roads, buildings, parking lots, etc. to update features. 7) Using canopy and actual impervious surfaces as a mask; input the bare soils training data and extract them from the imagery. Quickly edit the layer to remove or add any features. tries to delete dry vegetation areas that are associated with lawns, grass/meadows, and agricultural fields. 54 October, 2017

61 8) Assemble any hydrological datasets, if provided. Add or remove any water features to create the hydrology class. Perform a feature extraction if no water feature datasets exist. 9) Use geoprocessing tools to clean, repair, and clip all edited land cover layers to remove any self-intersections or topology errors that sometimes occur during editing. 10) Input canopy, impervious, bare soil, and hydrology layers into s Five-Class Land Cover Model to complete the classification. This model generates the pervious (grass/low-lying vegetation) class by taking all other areas not previously classified and combining them. 11) Thoroughly inspect final land cover dataset for any classification errors and correct as needed. 12) Perform accuracy assessment. Repeat Step 11, if needed. Automated Feature Extraction Files The automated feature extraction (AFE) files allow other users to run the extraction process by replicating the methodology. Since Feature Analyst does not contain all geoprocessing operations that utilizes, the AFE only accounts for part of the extraction process. Using Feature Analyst, created the training set data, ran the extraction, and then smoothed the features to alleviate the blocky appearance. To complete the actual extraction process, uses additional geoprocessing tools within ArcGIS. From the AFE file results, the following steps are taken to prepare the extracted data for manual editing. 1) fills all holes in the canopy that are less than 30 square meters. This eliminates small gaps that were created during the extraction process while still allowing for natural canopy gaps. 2) deletes all features that are less than 9 square meters for canopy (50 square meters for impervious surfaces). This process reduces the amount of small features that could result in incorrect classifications and also helps computer performance. 3) The Repair Geometry, Dissolve, and Multipart to Singlepart (in that order) geoprocessing tools are run to complete the extraction process. 4) The Multipart to Singlepart shapefile is given to GIS personnel for manual editing to add, remove, or reshape features. 55 October, 2017

62 Accuracy Assessment Protocol Determining the accuracy of spatial data is of high importance to and our clients. To achieve to best possible result, manually Table 1. Land Cover Classification Code Values edits and conducts thorough QA/QC checks on all urban tree canopy and land cover layers. A QA/QC process will be completed using ArcGIS to identify, clean, and correct any misclassification or topology errors in the final land cover dataset. The initial land cover layer extractions will be edited at a 1:1500 quality control scale in the urban areas and at a 1:2500 scale for rural areas utilizing the most current high-resolution aerial imagery to aid in the quality control process. Land Cover Classification Tree Canopy Impervious Pervious (Grass/Vegetation) Bare Soil Code Value To test for accuracy, random plot locations Open Water 5 are generated throughout the city area of interest and verified to ensure that the data meet the client standards. Each point will be compared with the most current NAIP high-resolution imagery (reference image) to determine the accuracy of the final land cover layer. Points will be classified as either correct or incorrect and recorded in a classification matrix. Accuracy will be assessed using four metrics: overall accuracy, kappa, quantity disagreement, and allocation disagreement. These metrics are calculated using a custom Excel spreadsheet. Land Cover Accuracy The following describes s accuracy assessment techniques and outlines procedural steps used to conduct the assessment. 1. Random Point Generation Using ArcGIS, 750 random assessment points are generated. 2. Point Determination Each point is carefully assessed by the GIS analyst for likeness with the aerial photography. To record findings, two new fields, CODE and TRUTH, are added to the accuracy assessment point shapefile. CODE is a numeric value (1 5) assigned to each land cover class (Table 1) and TRUTH is the actual land cover class as identified according to the reference image. If CODE and TRUTH are the same, then the point is counted as a correct classification. Likewise, if the CODE and TRUTH are not the same, then the point is classified as incorrect. In most cases, distinguishing if a point is correct or incorrect is straightforward. Points will rarely be misclassified by an egregious classification or editing error. Often incorrect points occur where one feature stops and the other begins. 56 October, 2017

63 Reference Data 3. Classification Matrix During the accuracy assessment, if a point is considered incorrect, it is given the correct classification in the TRUTH column. Points are first assessed on the NAIP imagery for their correctness using a blind assessment meaning that the analyst does not know the actual classification (the GIS analyst is strictly going off the NAIP imagery to determine cover class). Any incorrect classifications found during the blind assessment are scrutinized further using sub-meter imagery provided by the client to determine if the point was incorrectly classified due to the fuzziness of the NAIP imagery or an actual misclassification. After all random points are assessed and recorded; a classification (or confusion) matrix is created. The classification matrix for this project is presented in Table 2. The table allows for assessment of user s/producer s accuracy, overall accuracy, omission/commission errors, kappa statistics, allocation/quantity disagreement, and confidence intervals (Figure 1 and Table 3). Table 2. Classification Matrix Classes Tree Canopy Impervious Surfaces Grass & Low-Lying Vegetation Bare Soils Open Water Row Total Producer's Accuracy Errors of Omission Tree Canopy % 9.78% Impervious % 2.90% Grass/Vegetation % 1.52% Bare Soils % 11.76% Water % 0.00% Column Total User's Accuracy 92.22% 94.37% 97.92% 96.77% % Overall Accuracy 96.94% Errors of Commission 7.78% 5.63% 2.08% 3.23% 0.00% Kappa Coefficent Following are descriptions of each statistic as well as the results from some of the accuracy assessment tests. 57 October, 2017

64 Overall Accuracy Percentage of correctly classified pixels; for example, the sum of the diagonals divided by the total points (( )/750 = 96.94%) User s Accuracy Probability that a pixel classified on the map represents that category on the ground (correct land cover classifications divided by the column total [83/90 = 92.22%]). Producer s Accuracy Probability of a reference pixel being correctly classified (correct land cover classifications divided by the row total [83/92 = 90.22%]). Kappa Coefficient A statistical metric used to assess the accuracy of classification data. It has been generally accepted as a better determinant of accuracy partly because it accounts for random chance agreement. A value of 0.80 or greater is regarded as very good agreement between the land cover classification and reference image. Errors of Commission A pixel reports the presence of a feature (such as trees) that, in reality, is absent (no trees are actually present). This is termed as a false positive. In the matrix below, we can determine that 7.78% of the area classified as canopy is most likely not canopy. Errors of Omission A pixel reports the absence of a feature (such as trees) when, in reality, they are actually there. In the matrix below, we can conclude that 9.78% of all canopy classified is actually present in the land cover data. Allocation Disagreement The amount of difference between the reference image and the classified land cover map that is due to less than optimal match in the spatial allocation (or position) of the classes. Quantity Disagreement The amount of difference between the reference image and the classified land cover map that is due to less than perfect match in the proportions (or area) of the classes. Confidence Intervals A confidence interval is a type of interval estimate of a population parameter and is used to indicate the reliability of an estimate. Confidence intervals consist of a range of values (interval) that act as good estimates of the unknown population parameter based on the observed probability of successes and failures. Since all assessments have innate error, defining a lower and upper bound estimate is essential. 58 October, 2017

65 Confidence Intervals Class Acreage Percentage Lower Bound Upper Bound Tree Canopy % 11.8% 12.6% Statistical Metrics Summary Impervious Surfaces % 12.4% 13.3% Overall Accuracy = 96.94% Grass & Low-Lying Vegetation 3, % 67.8% 69.0% Kappa Coefficient = Bare Soils % 2.9% 3.3% Allocation Disagreement = 1% Open Water % 3.2% 3.7% Quantity Disagreement = 2% Total 5, % Accuracy Assessment Class User's Accuracy Lower Bound Upper Bound Producer's Accuracy Lower Bound Upper Bound Tree Canopy 92.2% 89.4% 95.0% 90.2% 87.1% 93.3% Impervious Surfaces 94.4% 91.6% 97.1% 97.1% 95.1% 99.1% Grass & Low-Lying Vegetation 97.9% 97.3% 98.5% 98.5% 97.9% 99.0% Bare Soils 96.8% 93.6% 99.9% 88.2% 82.7% 93.8% Open Water 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 59 October, 2017

66 12 APPENDIX D: MORDEN APPROVED PLANTING LIST Large Sized Trees Species Common Name BLVD PARK NAT AREA Picea glauca White Spruce N Y Y Abies balsamea Balsam Fir N Y Y Pinus ponderosa Ponerosa Pine N Y Y Larix laricina Eastern Larch/Tamarack N Y Y Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Y Y Y Tilia americana Basswood Y Y Y Acer negundo Baron Maple Y Y Y Acer negundo Manitoba Maple N Y Y Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak N Y Y Ulmus americana Brandon Elm Y Y Y Populus deltoides Eastern Cottonwood N Y Y Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen N Y Y Populus XACW151 Sundance Poplar N Y Y Medium Sized Trees Species Common Name BLVD PARK NAT AREA Aesculus A. glabra Ohio Buckeye N Y N Celtis occidentalis Delta Hackberry Y N N Betula platyphylla Dakota Pinnacle Birch Y Y N Ostrya virginiana Ironwood Trial Juglans cinerea Butternut N Y Y Juglans nigra Black Walnut N Y Y Ulmus davidiana var.japonica Discovery Elm Y Y N Salix pentrandra Laurel Leaf Willow Trial Small Sized Tree Species Common Name BLVD PARK NAT AREA Cornus alternifolia Pagoda Dogwood N Y Y Syringa reticulata Japanese Tree Lilac Y N N Acer ginnala Amur Maple Y Y N Acer tatarica Hot Wings Tatarian Maple Y Y N Malus adstringens Gladiator Crab Apple Y Y N Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive N Y N Malus spring snow Spring Snow Crab Apple Y Y N Sorbus aucuparia Russian Mountain Ash N Y N 60 October, 2017

67 13 APPENDIX E: MAP OF WORK AND SIZE DISTRIBUTION 61 October, 2017