Forest Pest Planning: The Importance of Tree Inventories. Tree Inventories

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1 Forest Pest Planning: The Importance of Tree Inventories Mollie Freilicher Department of Conservation and Recreation What are they? Tree Inventories What information is collected? What can I do with that information? How does that help my community deal with EAB and other forest pests? How do I get an inventory? 1

2 Community Goals Preserve tree canopy Increase funding for management Goals Maintain existing levels of ecosystem services Maintain safe urban forest Preserve benefits Spend the least amount of money 2

3 What is a tree inventory? A record of publicly-managed trees in a community Location Species Size Condition Other characteristics In the context of EAB How many trees do we have? How many are ash? Where are they? What is their condition? Who is responsible? 3

4 Tree Inventories - Generally Tree Inventories - Generally 4

5 Tree Inventories - Generally LINDEN, LITTLELEAF (TILIA CORDATA) DBH: 3" Location: >4' Deadwood: <25% Stems: 1 Leaves: Fair Maintenance Recommendation: Clean Trunk: Poor Loc Val: Fair Weak Fork: F Tree Inventories - Generally Types of inventories Complete inventory All trees Planting spaces Partial inventory Random sample Specific geographic focus Ash-only 5

6 Tree Inventories - Generally Types of inventories Complete inventory All trees Planting spaces Partial inventory Random sample Specific geographic focus--downtown, major roads, etc. Species-specific Problem-specific Tree Inventories - Generally What s the Big Deal? Aid in systematic tree care Reduce liability and improve long-term management Prioritize maintenance needs and focus limited resources Know the current condition of public trees Justify and leverage tree management funds Be prepared for emergencies Engage the public in urban forestry Inform a response plan to EAB 6

7 What s the Big Deal? Respond quickly and efficiently to EAB Save $$$ Tree Inventories Green ash 8% Species Information Northern red oak 5% Littleleaf linden 4% Pin oak 27% Honeylocust 21% Norway maple 8% 7

8 Percentage of Trees Percent of Total 5/10/2018 Tree Inventories Size/Age Information > 42 DBH (in.) Tree Inventories Condition Information Condition of Foliage Condition of Wood Good Fair Poor Dead 8

9 Tree Inventories Generally Inform Management Prioritize and track work Assess tree risk Determine population size & characteristics Timely pruning and removals Identify planting needs Coordinate with utility Generate public support Tree Inventories - EAB Trees Species, location, condition Results Management Which trees to remove immediately Which trees to treat with pesticide Which trees to remove as resources allow 9

10 Tree Inventories Inventory Data Collection Municipal staff Training! Consulting arborist or company Any of the above in combination with volunteers Training! Paper Electronic inventory Smartphone or tablet GPS unit Tree Inventories Computer Systems Software/hardware to maintain the inventory Device for data collection Compatible with existing software in use at DPW or highway department? 10

11 Tree Inventories Inventory Data Collection On foot Collect detailed information Windshield Collect general information Estimate size Tree Inventories - EAB 11

12 Tree Inventories Free Apps from Texas Forest Service Tree Risk Trees Count What information to collect? Species Diameter Condition Location Collect only data you will use! Planting space Management recommendation Conflicts utilities or sidewalks 4.5 ft 12

13 Tree Inventories what to collect Species Comprehensive Most useful Ash-only Quick If EAB is your main concern, this may be for you Tree Inventories what to collect Good Fair Poor Dead or dying Condition Should be evaluated by professionals or by well-trained individuals 13

14 Tree Inventories what to collect Location GPS Street address Planting Space 14

15 Tree Inventories what to collect Management Recommendation Should be evaluated by professionals or Should by well-trained be evaluated individuals by professionals Prune Remove Risk assessment Candidate for treatment Tree Inventories what to collect Wires Utility Conflicts Local utility may prune or remove trees that threaten wires Cost savings 15

16 Tree Inventories EAB Inform Management Remove and replace all ash Remove some, treat some (to buy time for removal) Remove some, treat some to preserve; treat some to buy time until removal Treat all trees in good/fair condition Do nothing? (not recommended) Other scenarios Inform Response Plan/ Preparedness Plan Written document outlining objectives and approaches to address and mitigate the impact of EAB on the urban forest 16

17 EAB Cost Calculator 5/10/

18 Analyze Inventory Data What are your Trees Doing for you and your Community? i-tree Stormwater Runoff Energy Savings Air Pollution Reduction Carbon Sequestered Property Value Increase (Aesthetic Value of Trees) Preparing for EAB in Somerville (pop. 78,104) Somerville s management plan: Treat healthy Remove vulnerable Monitor Slide from somervillema.gov 18

19 Preparing for EAB in Newburyport (pop. 17,800) Action by private citizen/non-profit 134 ash trees Cost for treatment over 10 years: $80,000 Cost for removal over 5 years: $400,000 Presentation to City Council Still in process Preparing for EAB in Newburyport Info cards for homeowners Also outreach on radio, farmers market 19

20 Windshield Survey by Tree Committee 5/10/2018 Preparing for EAB in New Salem (Pop. 990) Total Town Trees Total Private Trees Total Utility Trees West Main St. (Macedonia) West Main St S. Main St N. Main St Wendell Rd Fay Rd Neilson Rd Orange Rd Elm St Blueberry Hill Rd How to Pay for an Inventory DCR Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant $1,000 - $30,000 Matching grant Deadline November 1, 2018 Conduct in stages or target Volunteers 20

21 More information Julie Coop, Urban and Community Forester, Mollie Freilicher, Community Action Forester,