Tree Montgomery: A Free Shade Tree Planting Program Evan Keto Program Manager I Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Government Montgomery County Master Gardeners Meeting June 2, 2016 Addressed in This Presentation 1. Why are trees important? 2. What is the Tree Canopy Law? 3. Why was the Tree Montgomery program created? 4. How can property owners sign up? 5. Where on a property can the trees be planted? 6. What kinds of trees are offered? 7. What happens after the location and species are chosen? 8. How are the trees planted and cared for? 9. What other tree planting programs are available? Benefits of Trees and the Urban Forest Trees and forests are essential for livable communities and our wellbeing. Photo courtesy of Bob Haight, USFS NRS 4 Benefits of Trees Increased property values Reduced energy use Improved water quality Improved air quality Improved health Reduced crime Itree 1
Bigger is better! What is Tree Canopy? Tree Canopy is the area covered by the crown of one or more trees. 10 What is Tree Canopy? We measure tree canopy, or canopy coverage, from the top down. Canopy goals often include the percentage of area covered by tree canopy. Changes in Development Redeveloped in 2011; Lots are 6,100 7,200 sq. ft. 11 12 2
Changes in Development Tree Canopy Law The Tree Canopy Law is intended to encourage the protection of trees during development activity AND to provide funds to replace some of the tree canopy lost as a result of development. Redevelopment from 2002 to 2011 in red, 2012 to 2016 in blue. 13 Tree Canopy Law and the Limit of Disturbance The Limit of Disturbance (LOD) is the outside edge of the area where activity can occur. Disturbance or activity cannot occur outside of the LOD. When does the Tree Canopy Law apply? Applies to any activity requiring a sediment control permit from Montgomery County: New primary dwelling or non-residential building; 5,000 square feet or more of ground disturbance; or 100 cubic yards or more of earth movement. The cutting of 5,000 square feet or more of canopy is considered ground disturbance Most municipalities are not subject to this new law. 15 Activities not covered by the Tree Canopy Law Exemptions include: Activity subject to Article II of the Forest Conservation Law Any activity conducted by the County Parks Department Most public utility activities related to construction of new transmission or distribution lines The Law does NOT apply when a sediment control permit is not required: Most agricultural activity Most activity by Pepco, WSSC, or other utilities Tree Canopy Law and the Limit of Disturbance Limit of Disturbance The area within the LOD determines the number of shade trees to be planted on the property. Fees can be paid instead of planting for any reason. As such, development activity contributes all of the funds in an account dedicated to planting shade trees. 18 3
How does it work? Sediment control permit application includes area of LOD The area of the LOD is used to determine the number of trees that must be planted or fee in-lieu that must be paid Review and enforcement is through the existing processes for sediment control permits For trees planted, applicant identifies minimum 400 sq. ft. planting area for each tree on the sediment control permit For trees not planted, fee in-lieu funds are collected and deposited in Tree Canopy Conservation Account 19 Mitigation and the Tree Canopy Law LOD Square Footage Shade Trees Fee In-Lieu 0 to 6,000 3 $750 6,001 to 8,000 6 $1,500 8,001 to 12,000 9 $2,250 12,001 to 14,000 12 $3,000 14,001 to 40,000 15 $3,750 If the area in the LOD exceeds 40,000 square feet, the number of shade trees required is prorated using the ratio of 15 trees per 40,000 sq. ft. Each tree requires at least 400 sq. ft. of open surface area Trees may be planted anywhere on the subject property Open surface area on an adjacent County ROW may be included if the tree is on the affected property so that its stem will not grow into the ROW 20 Tree Canopy Conservation Account Funds must only be used to plant and maintain shade trees Funds must not revert to the General Fund Funds must not be used to hire additional County staff Funds must not supplant funds otherwise appropriated to plant and maintain shade trees and enhance tree canopy Shade trees native to the Piedmont area of the County should be used, if feasible Planting of trees must occur in the subwatershed where the project is located, if feasible; otherwise trees may be planted anywhere in the County For plantings, the highest priority must be given to areas of the County with relatively low tree canopy coverage 21 Implementation The Department of Permitting Services is responsible for implementation and enforcement of the Tree Canopy Law. The Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for planting programs and outreach campaigns to increase the number of trees planted and generally raise the awareness of the benefits of trees and long-term care. Tree Montgomery Tree Montgomery is a new planting program funded through the Tree Canopy Law. It provides shade trees, installed with after care FOR FREE. 23 4
Tree Montgomery Focus We focus on these three types of plantings in areas with little canopy and/or a great deal of disturbance. Single-family residences Multi-family communities Parking lots 25 Gaithersburg and Rockville Edited from map by Arkyan https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2927296 www.treemontgomery.org 5
Site Visits Depending on when you signed up and if you are in a focus area, we ll email you to set up a site visit (Trees@montgomerycountymd.gov) Time blocks are usually 2 hours 30-40 minutes per visit, longer for larger properties Together, species and locations for new shade trees are selected 6
Priority Planting Locations Near: Parking lots and driveways Buildings Playgrounds Air conditioners Wet spots Growing Zones 400 Square feet No impervious surface No septic easement or septic reserve At least 5 feet from overhead utilities, underground utilities, or stormwater management May include other trees and vegetation Growing Zone Shapes At least 400 Square feet At least 16 feet wide Examples: rectangle 16 x25, square 20 x20, or circle 22.5 across Tree must be at least 5 feet from any boundary of the growing zone A straight line can be drawn from the stem to any point on the growing zone boundary without going outside the growing zone Planting Within Growing Zones Feature Edge of Growing Zone Fences and Property Lines Impervious surfaces Underground Utilities and Stormwater Management Systems Building Foundations Other Tree Montgomery Trees Overhead Utilities Minimum Distance to Tree 5 feet 5 feet 5 feet 10 feet 10 feet 10 feet 15 feet 7
Shade Trees All trees will grow to at least 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide Most are broadleaf deciduous trees We plant trees that are native to Montgomery County as much as possible Characteristics To Consider Soil texture and drainage Sunlight Mature size Growth rate Shape Messiness Stress tolerance Aesthetics Other Requested Characteristics Nectar for pollinators Fruit and insects for songbirds and wildlife Allergenicity of pollen Tolerance of black walnut competition Acorn attractiveness 8
Species Information 37 different species planted so far 86% of trees planted have been native species Oaks are the leading genus planted to date, followed by maples Northern Red Oak Willow Oak Red Maple White Oak Swamp White Oak Sugar Maple Honeylocust American Sycamore American Sweetgum American Beech 9
Common Hackberry Blackgum Tulip Poplar American Linden 10
Planting Specifications Procedures for establishing each shade tree include: Contractor required to meet specifications above ANSI 300 standards for: Species, root systems, containers, caliper, height, disease and pests, and shape, branching, etc. Transporting and storing shade trees prior to installation Installation including size of hole, watering, mulching, soil amendments, corrective pruning, etc. All newly installed trees must have adequate deer protection All inspections are completed by a tree expert and include: At contractor yard prior to planting Following installation At end of warranty period Tree Size Trees are 2- to 3- inches in caliper and more than 10 feet tall when installed. Each will grow to more than 50 feet tall when mature. 64 Warranties and Aftercare Warranties are purchased for most trees for one or two years. During the warranty period, any tree not thriving must be replaced. The planting contract includes detailed information to evaluate newly planted trees for thriving conditions. Additional watering and aftercare visits can be purchased separately and as needed. Aftercare Aftercare is provided for up to two years. This includes watering during the summer months, mulching, weeding, pruning, and adjustment of deer protection. 11
Other Planting Programs By the Planning Department: Shades of Green Leaves for Neighborhoods By the State Marylanders Plant Trees By Montgomery County DEP Rainscapes Rewards Rebates 68 Questions? Email Trees@montgomerycountymd.gov 12