Emerald ash borer discovered in Franklin - JSOnline:
The emerald ash borer has spread to Milwaukee County, officials announced Friday after tests confirmed that the invasive beetle was found in Franklin.
The discovery raises the possibility that more homeowners will be affected by the tree killer, given how much more populous Milwaukee County is than the six other Wisconsin counties where the beetle has been found, said Donna Gilson, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
It also means a quarantine for Milwaukee County, with restrictions on the movement of ash nursery stock, ash timber, tree trimmings and all hardwood firewood, she said.
Monday, August 31, 2009
City sets, reaches, exceeds 40% UTC goal - looks to next steps; Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville Tomorrow News Center: Charlottesville Planning Commission considers ways to improve tree canopy initiative:
August 28, 2009
By Connie Chang & Sean Tubbs
Charlottesville Tomorrow
Friday, August 28, 2009
Although the City has already surpassed its goal of having a tree canopy of 40%, the Charlottesville Planning Commission continues to debate ways to build upon that goal and further protect the City’s trees. Commissioners discussed the issue at a work session on August 25, 2009.
The City’s Department of Parks and Recreation created an Urban Forest Management Plan to help achieve the 40% goal, a key objective called for in the City’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan. The tree canopy initiative was one of seven priorities outlined during City Council’s retreat in September 2008. In April 2009, Mayor Dave Norris presented a “Proposal for a Greener Charlottesville” in order to increase the City’s tree canopy from 32% to 40% coverage.
However, Park and Trail Planner Chris Gensic revealed to Council on June 15, 2009, that analysis of aerial photographs of the City indicated that the tree canopy was already at 46%, but that not all neighborhoods and areas of the City were consistent.
August 28, 2009
By Connie Chang & Sean Tubbs
Charlottesville Tomorrow
Friday, August 28, 2009
Although the City has already surpassed its goal of having a tree canopy of 40%, the Charlottesville Planning Commission continues to debate ways to build upon that goal and further protect the City’s trees. Commissioners discussed the issue at a work session on August 25, 2009.
The City’s Department of Parks and Recreation created an Urban Forest Management Plan to help achieve the 40% goal, a key objective called for in the City’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan. The tree canopy initiative was one of seven priorities outlined during City Council’s retreat in September 2008. In April 2009, Mayor Dave Norris presented a “Proposal for a Greener Charlottesville” in order to increase the City’s tree canopy from 32% to 40% coverage.
However, Park and Trail Planner Chris Gensic revealed to Council on June 15, 2009, that analysis of aerial photographs of the City indicated that the tree canopy was already at 46%, but that not all neighborhoods and areas of the City were consistent.
Fungal disease attacks black walnut trees in eight Western states; Sacramento, CA
Fungal disease attacks black walnut trees in eight Western states - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:
Fungal disease attacks black walnut trees in eight Western states
By Li Lou
llou@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 - 12:00 am Page 1B
Diners in the courtyard of Sophia's Thai Bar and Kitchen in Davis will want to enjoy the shade while they can, because the black walnut tree providing the canopy is at risk.
'Thousand cankers disease,' the coined name for a newly discovered pathogen, is infecting and slowly killing hundreds of black walnut trees in California and seven other Western states.
The disease is caused by a previously undescribed fungus hitchhiking on a tiny bark beetle native to California and widely distributed from San Diego to Shasta counties.
Fungal disease attacks black walnut trees in eight Western states
By Li Lou
llou@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 - 12:00 am Page 1B
Diners in the courtyard of Sophia's Thai Bar and Kitchen in Davis will want to enjoy the shade while they can, because the black walnut tree providing the canopy is at risk.
'Thousand cankers disease,' the coined name for a newly discovered pathogen, is infecting and slowly killing hundreds of black walnut trees in California and seven other Western states.
The disease is caused by a previously undescribed fungus hitchhiking on a tiny bark beetle native to California and widely distributed from San Diego to Shasta counties.
State street tree population needs more diversity but provides major benefits, has significant opportunity for enhancement; IN
State could use more and different urban trees www.carrollcountycomet.com Carroll County Comet:
Comet staff report
Indiana could benefit by having more and different trees lining its city streets, according to a study on the trees in 23 cities done for the state's Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
'Bringing about such change is important' DNR's Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) coordinator Pam Louks said, 'because the study also showed that Indiana's urban forests reward Hoosiers with nearly $79 million in annual benefits. The rewards include energy savings and reducing carbon in the atmosphere.'
The study, which was done for the CUF program, found that street trees throughout the state also return benefits by reducing ozone levels, volatile organic compounds such as sulfur dioxide and small particulate matter and improve storm water interception and reduction.
Economically, trees also make city streets look better, increase community economic vitality, increase real estate values and give residents a sense of place according to the study which was done by the Davey Resource Group.
Comet staff report
Indiana could benefit by having more and different trees lining its city streets, according to a study on the trees in 23 cities done for the state's Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
'Bringing about such change is important' DNR's Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) coordinator Pam Louks said, 'because the study also showed that Indiana's urban forests reward Hoosiers with nearly $79 million in annual benefits. The rewards include energy savings and reducing carbon in the atmosphere.'
The study, which was done for the CUF program, found that street trees throughout the state also return benefits by reducing ozone levels, volatile organic compounds such as sulfur dioxide and small particulate matter and improve storm water interception and reduction.
Economically, trees also make city streets look better, increase community economic vitality, increase real estate values and give residents a sense of place according to the study which was done by the Davey Resource Group.
Program provides technical assistance to backyard fruit tree growers, connects harvests with food banks; Seattle, WA
Home & Garden Volunteers help homeowners with fruit trees Seattle Times Newspaper:
Even in a typical year, the plum tree in Monica and Heidi Risse's front yard spawns more plums than they can use.
Plums have gone to their Beacon Hill neighbors and to family. Monica used to take bags of them to work. The sisters have made plum sauce, attempted oven-dried plums and have plans to make plum jam. But this year, by their estimate, there are 20 times as many plums as usual.
Not bad for a tree they barely tend to. So when they heard about City Fruit, they jumped at the chance not only to have their fruit harvested but to learn how they could be better tree stewards.
Even in a typical year, the plum tree in Monica and Heidi Risse's front yard spawns more plums than they can use.
Plums have gone to their Beacon Hill neighbors and to family. Monica used to take bags of them to work. The sisters have made plum sauce, attempted oven-dried plums and have plans to make plum jam. But this year, by their estimate, there are 20 times as many plums as usual.
Not bad for a tree they barely tend to. So when they heard about City Fruit, they jumped at the chance not only to have their fruit harvested but to learn how they could be better tree stewards.
Grant, stimulus funds help tree commission pay for UTC enhancements; Clarks Summit, PA
Clarks Summit Receiving More Than 150 New Trees
(Source: The Times-Tribune) By Erin L. Nissley, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Aug. 28--More than 150 new trees will be planted in Clarks Summit starting this fall, but officials say they will need help getting them in the ground.
The Clarks Summit Shade Tree Commission will use a $14,000 grant to buy 69 trees to plant along Routes 6 and 11 from Abington Plaza to Grove Street, according to commission president Donna Zagrapan.
'That's the gateway to the community, people's first impression,' she said. 'That area is looking a little tired.'
In addition, the commission plans to plant 90 trees -- some weighing more than 300 pounds -- for the area around Hemlock Park, using federal stimulus money. Ms. Zagrapan also hopes the commission will obtain a third grant through the state forestry commission to buy another 20 trees.
(Source: The Times-Tribune) By Erin L. Nissley, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Aug. 28--More than 150 new trees will be planted in Clarks Summit starting this fall, but officials say they will need help getting them in the ground.
The Clarks Summit Shade Tree Commission will use a $14,000 grant to buy 69 trees to plant along Routes 6 and 11 from Abington Plaza to Grove Street, according to commission president Donna Zagrapan.
'That's the gateway to the community, people's first impression,' she said. 'That area is looking a little tired.'
In addition, the commission plans to plant 90 trees -- some weighing more than 300 pounds -- for the area around Hemlock Park, using federal stimulus money. Ms. Zagrapan also hopes the commission will obtain a third grant through the state forestry commission to buy another 20 trees.
Activist relates UTC, sustainability, economic development, quality of life; Richland County, SC
Let’s talk: Activist emphasizes quality of life - Local / Metro - The State:
Ryan Nevius, 58, has led the Richland County Appearance Commission in an era of community activism, as the group weighed in on contentious issues like digital billboards and buffer requirements. After three years, though, she is giving up the volunteer post because she is joining forces with Sustainable Midlands, a new coalition of environmental groups that hopes to inspire grass-roots action on multiple fronts.
Ryan Nevius, 58, has led the Richland County Appearance Commission in an era of community activism, as the group weighed in on contentious issues like digital billboards and buffer requirements. After three years, though, she is giving up the volunteer post because she is joining forces with Sustainable Midlands, a new coalition of environmental groups that hopes to inspire grass-roots action on multiple fronts.
Friday, August 28, 2009
GA Sustainable Community Forestry Program identifies Tree Canopy Loss and Impervious Surface Gain mapping as signature project; GA
Tree Canopy Loss and Impervious Surface Gain « Sustainable Community Forestry:
Recently, the Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) staff was asked to select one project or one component of the program that would convey the importance of SCFP to Georgians and to Georgia’s natural resources. The choice was obvious. The following Tree Canopy and Impervious Surface Study, completed by Dr. Elizabeth Kramer at the University of Georgia Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Laboratory(NARSAL), has been widely used by communities across the state working to conserve their tree canopy and Georgia’s precious natural resources. Startling images and data confirm previous estimates of 50 acres of trees a day lost to development in metro Atlanta, all of which were replaced with impervious surfaces. And, similar trends continued across the state in Savannah, Columbus and other fast growing metropolitan areas.
Recently, the Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) staff was asked to select one project or one component of the program that would convey the importance of SCFP to Georgians and to Georgia’s natural resources. The choice was obvious. The following Tree Canopy and Impervious Surface Study, completed by Dr. Elizabeth Kramer at the University of Georgia Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Laboratory(NARSAL), has been widely used by communities across the state working to conserve their tree canopy and Georgia’s precious natural resources. Startling images and data confirm previous estimates of 50 acres of trees a day lost to development in metro Atlanta, all of which were replaced with impervious surfaces. And, similar trends continued across the state in Savannah, Columbus and other fast growing metropolitan areas.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
City gets Tree City USA recognition, hosts regional shade tree commission meeting in new park; Wilkes-Barre, PA
River Common attracts tree lovers Wilkes-Barre News The Times Leader:
Park, W-B’s designation as Tree City USA catch interest of NEPA tree association.
By Rory Sweeney rsweeney@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – The River Common park has caught the eye of tree lovers who are coming to the city Friday for the summer meeting of the Northeast Pennsylvania Community Tree Association.
The association, a collection of regional shade-tree commissions and others interested in urban greenery, chose Wilkes-Barre for its annual summer meeting because of the new riverside park and the city’s recent designation as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The city has planted more than 400 trees in the past five years, according to the association.
Park, W-B’s designation as Tree City USA catch interest of NEPA tree association.
By Rory Sweeney rsweeney@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – The River Common park has caught the eye of tree lovers who are coming to the city Friday for the summer meeting of the Northeast Pennsylvania Community Tree Association.
The association, a collection of regional shade-tree commissions and others interested in urban greenery, chose Wilkes-Barre for its annual summer meeting because of the new riverside park and the city’s recent designation as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The city has planted more than 400 trees in the past five years, according to the association.
UTC shrinks as crape myrtles begin to dominate city's public tree population; Jefferson, GA
Crape myrtles rule Jefferson landscape News OnlineAthens.com:
JEFFERSON - The crape myrtles are multiplying.
It's been happening slowly, but people who count trees know that the crape myrtle is on its way to tree dominance.
A recent survey of the trees in Jefferson's city parks and on its roadside rights of way revealed that about 33 percent of the town's trees are crape myrtles - a product of recent residential growth and the popularity of the trees among developers and landscapers.
'It's something that homeowners are familiar with, and it's easy to find them,' said Andrew Saunders, an arborist with Forest Resource Solutions. 'There's nothing wrong with crape myrtles, but we would prefer to see crape myrtles make up no more than 10 percent of the total number of trees.'
JEFFERSON - The crape myrtles are multiplying.
It's been happening slowly, but people who count trees know that the crape myrtle is on its way to tree dominance.
A recent survey of the trees in Jefferson's city parks and on its roadside rights of way revealed that about 33 percent of the town's trees are crape myrtles - a product of recent residential growth and the popularity of the trees among developers and landscapers.
'It's something that homeowners are familiar with, and it's easy to find them,' said Andrew Saunders, an arborist with Forest Resource Solutions. 'There's nothing wrong with crape myrtles, but we would prefer to see crape myrtles make up no more than 10 percent of the total number of trees.'
In face of recession town reframes street tree program as remove/replace 50:50 cost share with resident; Elburn, IL
The Chronicle Elburn enacts 50/50 tree program
ELBURN – Homeowners in the village wanting to replace a tree along the street in front of their house can ask the village to cut it down and plant a new one.
The catch, however, is that the homeowner will now have to foot half the cost.
For years, the village of Elburn has paid the full expense of removing and replacing diseased and dying trees that line village streets.
But as the economic recession has placed a strain on village finances, village officials have decided to stretch tax dollars further by asking homeowners to pay 50 percent of the cost for the removal and replacement of the parkway trees.
The Elburn Village Board created the program earlier this summer when it enacted the village's budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, setting aside $12,000 for the program.
ELBURN – Homeowners in the village wanting to replace a tree along the street in front of their house can ask the village to cut it down and plant a new one.
The catch, however, is that the homeowner will now have to foot half the cost.
For years, the village of Elburn has paid the full expense of removing and replacing diseased and dying trees that line village streets.
But as the economic recession has placed a strain on village finances, village officials have decided to stretch tax dollars further by asking homeowners to pay 50 percent of the cost for the removal and replacement of the parkway trees.
The Elburn Village Board created the program earlier this summer when it enacted the village's budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, setting aside $12,000 for the program.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
City identifies UTC protection as core community value, gives Tree Commission greater role in city affairs; St. Augustine, FL
Tree committee gains greater role : St. Augustine Local News - Historic City News
Tree committee gains greater role
August 25, 2009
Four citizen members of the city’s Street Tree Advisory Committee (STAC) successfully made their case Monday for greater recognition, more frequent meetings, and less city staff on the board.Gina Burrell, Sally Ann Freeman, Robin Nadeau, and Chuck Lippi pleaded with commissioners to make STAC a commission - rather than a staff - advisory committee, create a landscape beautification subcommittee, and develop a five-year beautification plan for the city’s entrance corridors.
“We just don’t meet,” Lippi, a certified arborist, told commissioners, noting the committee’s last meeting was nine months ago.
City Chief Operations Officer John Regan responded, “Protecting our tree canopy is a core value of our community. But they’re not going to be able to work effectively as a Sunshine committee (if appointed by the commission)."
Tree committee gains greater role
August 25, 2009
Four citizen members of the city’s Street Tree Advisory Committee (STAC) successfully made their case Monday for greater recognition, more frequent meetings, and less city staff on the board.Gina Burrell, Sally Ann Freeman, Robin Nadeau, and Chuck Lippi pleaded with commissioners to make STAC a commission - rather than a staff - advisory committee, create a landscape beautification subcommittee, and develop a five-year beautification plan for the city’s entrance corridors.
“We just don’t meet,” Lippi, a certified arborist, told commissioners, noting the committee’s last meeting was nine months ago.
City Chief Operations Officer John Regan responded, “Protecting our tree canopy is a core value of our community. But they’re not going to be able to work effectively as a Sunshine committee (if appointed by the commission)."
Planning and Zoning officials call for update of subdivision rules to address UTC plan and stormwater regulations; Cumberland, MD
Cumberland Times-News - City officials to discuss wind energy system ordinance:
The second report will cover the commission’s recommendation of approval for the comprehensive update of the city’s Subdivision Regulation Amendment to provide for a comprehensive update of current subdivision regulations in response to the 2004 Comprehensive Plan amendments, proposed Urban Tree Canopy Plan and new stormwater management regulations.
Repp said no real changes occurred after the public hearings held at the commission’s meetings.
The second report will cover the commission’s recommendation of approval for the comprehensive update of the city’s Subdivision Regulation Amendment to provide for a comprehensive update of current subdivision regulations in response to the 2004 Comprehensive Plan amendments, proposed Urban Tree Canopy Plan and new stormwater management regulations.
Repp said no real changes occurred after the public hearings held at the commission’s meetings.
In Galveston, dead trees see new life as art; Galveston, TX
In Galveston, dead trees see new life as art Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:
GALVESTON — The Dalmatian sitting outside the Galveston Central Fire Station isn't your ordinary mascot. This one is made of wood, carved over the weekend from a tree killed by salt water when Hurricane Ike inundated the city a year ago.
The sculpture is the first of dozens that the city's citizen Tree Committee hopes will grace parks and street corners throughout Galveston in an attempt to salvage beauty from the destruction of an estimated 40,000 trees.
“This helps heal that wound,” said Tree Committee member Donna Leibbert, referring to the outpouring of grief from the public over the destruction of at least half the island's tree canopy.
GALVESTON — The Dalmatian sitting outside the Galveston Central Fire Station isn't your ordinary mascot. This one is made of wood, carved over the weekend from a tree killed by salt water when Hurricane Ike inundated the city a year ago.
The sculpture is the first of dozens that the city's citizen Tree Committee hopes will grace parks and street corners throughout Galveston in an attempt to salvage beauty from the destruction of an estimated 40,000 trees.
“This helps heal that wound,” said Tree Committee member Donna Leibbert, referring to the outpouring of grief from the public over the destruction of at least half the island's tree canopy.
Chestnut planted by Olmstead lost in storm that damaged Central Park; New York, NY
Central Park's Post-Storm Damage: "Heartbreaking" - Gothamist#gallery#gallery
Last Tuesday, a sudden storm which downed hundreds of trees in city parks, creating what the Parks Department called the worst damage in 30 years. Our own Joe Schumacher visited Central Park and said the devastation was 'heartbreaking' and took note of a raccoon who was confused: 'The raccoon was disoriented. It went up and down the tree, looking around. It seemed like it didn't know what to do.'
Last Tuesday, a sudden storm which downed hundreds of trees in city parks, creating what the Parks Department called the worst damage in 30 years. Our own Joe Schumacher visited Central Park and said the devastation was 'heartbreaking' and took note of a raccoon who was confused: 'The raccoon was disoriented. It went up and down the tree, looking around. It seemed like it didn't know what to do.'
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tree cover and agricultural land not natural enemies as supposed
Tree cover far bigger than expected on farms: study | Green Business | Reuters
By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent OSLO (Reuters)
- Almost half of the world's farmland has at least 10 percent tree cover, according to a study on Monday indicating that farmers are far less destructive to carbon-storing forests than previously believed.
'The area revealed in this study is twice the size of the Amazon, and shows that farmers are protecting and planting trees spontaneously,' Dennis Garrity, Director General of the World Agroforestry Center in Nairobi, said in a statement.
The Centre's report, based on satellite images and the first to estimate tree cover on the world's farms, showed tree canopies exceeded 10 percent on farmland of 10 million square kms (3.9 million sq miles) -- 46 percent of all agricultural land and an area the size of Canada or China.
ALSO COVERED IN: Can farms and forests mix?
By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent OSLO (Reuters)
- Almost half of the world's farmland has at least 10 percent tree cover, according to a study on Monday indicating that farmers are far less destructive to carbon-storing forests than previously believed.
'The area revealed in this study is twice the size of the Amazon, and shows that farmers are protecting and planting trees spontaneously,' Dennis Garrity, Director General of the World Agroforestry Center in Nairobi, said in a statement.
The Centre's report, based on satellite images and the first to estimate tree cover on the world's farms, showed tree canopies exceeded 10 percent on farmland of 10 million square kms (3.9 million sq miles) -- 46 percent of all agricultural land and an area the size of Canada or China.
ALSO COVERED IN: Can farms and forests mix?
Tree pruning and removal on DePauw campus described as both "rather spontaneous" and as part of long-term management plan; Greencastle, IN
Trees moved on East College lawn to improve sight lines - News
'The purpose of this trimming is, first, to increase the health of a number of these trees,' Casey wrote. They have not had a major pruning for several years, much to the detriment of their health and appearance. Second, the removal of the branches will increase the attractiveness of this part of the campus, improving sight lines on the lawn particularly around East College, DePauw's signature building.'
President Casey also wrote that the removal of the trees was part of a larger plan created by the campus planning firm Ayers/Saint/Gross to make DePauw's grounds more fitting for its environment. According to the letter, the firm's goal is to create a 'beautiful, native tree canopy.' Ayers/Saint/Gross also shared that replacing the small trees with larger, native trees will further DePauw's sustainability efforts.
'The purpose of this trimming is, first, to increase the health of a number of these trees,' Casey wrote. They have not had a major pruning for several years, much to the detriment of their health and appearance. Second, the removal of the branches will increase the attractiveness of this part of the campus, improving sight lines on the lawn particularly around East College, DePauw's signature building.'
President Casey also wrote that the removal of the trees was part of a larger plan created by the campus planning firm Ayers/Saint/Gross to make DePauw's grounds more fitting for its environment. According to the letter, the firm's goal is to create a 'beautiful, native tree canopy.' Ayers/Saint/Gross also shared that replacing the small trees with larger, native trees will further DePauw's sustainability efforts.
More tree canopy means more birds means more mosquitoes means more West Nile virus; Lafayette, LA
West Nile found in 'hot spot' for virus | theadvertiser.com | The Advertiser
Amanda McElfresh • amcelfresh@theadvertiser.com • August 22, 2009
As the West Nile season hits its peak, a mosquito pool in the Brentwood subdivision has tested positive for the virus.
Glenn Stokes, president of Mosquito Control Contractors Inc., said the area, along with the Broadmoor subdivision, historically has been a hot spot for the disease, mainly because of the high number of trees in that areas.'There's an old, mature tree canopy there, and that means more birds and more mosquitoes feeding on birds,' Stokes said. 'It just shows that people shouldn't let their guard down.'Also this week, Stokes said two positive mosquito pools were found in St. Mary Parish, one in Glencoe and one in Bayou Vista."
Amanda McElfresh • amcelfresh@theadvertiser.com • August 22, 2009
As the West Nile season hits its peak, a mosquito pool in the Brentwood subdivision has tested positive for the virus.
Glenn Stokes, president of Mosquito Control Contractors Inc., said the area, along with the Broadmoor subdivision, historically has been a hot spot for the disease, mainly because of the high number of trees in that areas.'There's an old, mature tree canopy there, and that means more birds and more mosquitoes feeding on birds,' Stokes said. 'It just shows that people shouldn't let their guard down.'Also this week, Stokes said two positive mosquito pools were found in St. Mary Parish, one in Glencoe and one in Bayou Vista."
Seeing the tree from the forest: Predicting the future of plant communities
Seeing the tree from the forest: Predicting the future of plant communities
New algorithm explores future changes in plant populations
The ability to envisage the future may be closer than you would think. A recent paper by Sean Hammond and Karl Niklas in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Botany (available here) presents an algorithm that may be used to predict the future dynamics of plant communities, an increasingly interesting area of study as significant environmental changes, such as global climate change and invasive species, are affecting current plant communities.
Similar ecological factors, such as nutrient availability and habitat stability, play a role in the growth and development of both an individual plant and a community of plants, like a forest; however, the length of time that these factors effect change differs between individual plants that may live for decades and plant communities that may exist for thousands of years. A goal of plant ecology has been to find ways to predict plant behavior in communities based on observed properties of a few representative members.
Hammond and Niklas have developed an algorithm—spatially explicit, reiterative algorithm, or SERA—that explores whether changes occurring in plant communities, such as self-thinning and the competitive displacement of one species by another, can be attributed to the characteristics of the individual plants that comprise the community.
New algorithm explores future changes in plant populations
The ability to envisage the future may be closer than you would think. A recent paper by Sean Hammond and Karl Niklas in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Botany (available here) presents an algorithm that may be used to predict the future dynamics of plant communities, an increasingly interesting area of study as significant environmental changes, such as global climate change and invasive species, are affecting current plant communities.
Similar ecological factors, such as nutrient availability and habitat stability, play a role in the growth and development of both an individual plant and a community of plants, like a forest; however, the length of time that these factors effect change differs between individual plants that may live for decades and plant communities that may exist for thousands of years. A goal of plant ecology has been to find ways to predict plant behavior in communities based on observed properties of a few representative members.
Hammond and Niklas have developed an algorithm—spatially explicit, reiterative algorithm, or SERA—that explores whether changes occurring in plant communities, such as self-thinning and the competitive displacement of one species by another, can be attributed to the characteristics of the individual plants that comprise the community.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Avon maintains momentum gained by Tree City USA designation with tree sale for public and private property; Avon, IN
Avon's annual fall tree sale occurring until Aug. 31 | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
Avon’s campaign to become a Tree City USA blossomed last year with an official designation, so this year town officials are trying to keep it growing.Town residents, property owners and neighborhood associations can help promote Avon’s Urban Forestry Program by buying trees to be planted in yards, subdivision common areas and along curb lawns near streets.
Study warns that UN Climate panel's defintion of forest sets canopy cover threshold too low, puts forests at risk
Forest definition comes under fire : Nature News
Ecologists accuse framework convention of barking up the wrong tree.
Natasha Gilbert
Ecologists have questioned the UNFCCC's definition of a forest.
The health of the world's forests — and their capacity to lock away carbon — could be jeopardized by logging if the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) definition of a forest is not changed, a study warns.
A future climate deal could see developing countries financially compensated for preserving their forests. The UNFCCC defines a forest as an area of land 0.05–1 hectare in size, of which more than 10–30% is covered by tree canopy. Trees must also have the potential to reach a minimum height of 2-5 metres.
Countries participating in the UNFCCC can choose how they want to define a forest from within those ranges. For example, in Brazil a forest is defined as an area of land greater than 1 hectare, with more than 30% canopy cover and a minimum tree height of 5 metres. By contrast, Ghana defines a forest as an area of land greater than 0.1 hectare, with more than 15% canopy cover and a minimum tree height of 2 metres.
But a report in the journal Conservation Letters, says that the UNFCCC has set the proportion of land that must be covered by tree canopy too low. Nophea Sasaki, a forest ecologist at Harvard University, and an author of the study, says that woodland could be 'severely degraded' but still be classified as a forest under the current UNFCCC definition.
MORE ON THIS STORY in: UN forest rules undermine principals of REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) initiative: Study
Ecologists accuse framework convention of barking up the wrong tree.
Natasha Gilbert
Ecologists have questioned the UNFCCC's definition of a forest.
The health of the world's forests — and their capacity to lock away carbon — could be jeopardized by logging if the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) definition of a forest is not changed, a study warns.
A future climate deal could see developing countries financially compensated for preserving their forests. The UNFCCC defines a forest as an area of land 0.05–1 hectare in size, of which more than 10–30% is covered by tree canopy. Trees must also have the potential to reach a minimum height of 2-5 metres.
Countries participating in the UNFCCC can choose how they want to define a forest from within those ranges. For example, in Brazil a forest is defined as an area of land greater than 1 hectare, with more than 30% canopy cover and a minimum tree height of 5 metres. By contrast, Ghana defines a forest as an area of land greater than 0.1 hectare, with more than 15% canopy cover and a minimum tree height of 2 metres.
But a report in the journal Conservation Letters, says that the UNFCCC has set the proportion of land that must be covered by tree canopy too low. Nophea Sasaki, a forest ecologist at Harvard University, and an author of the study, says that woodland could be 'severely degraded' but still be classified as a forest under the current UNFCCC definition.
MORE ON THIS STORY in: UN forest rules undermine principals of REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) initiative: Study
Commission weighs options on mitigation planting to remedy tree felling violation in 2001; Queenstown Lake, New Zealand
Architects told to reflect on balance | Otago Daily Times Online
By James Beech on Thu, 20 Aug 2009
A "phenomenal" number [69] of trees are proposed to be planted within the Threepwood cottages section to replace the "six or seven" trees and shrubs felled in 2005, independent commissioners heard in Queenstown yesterday.
Landscape architect Alan Cutler made the comment during a hearing held by commissioners John Matthews and Cath Gilmour.
The hearing aimed to understand the reasons behind Meadow 3 Ltd's four applications to adapt the historic homestead and woolshed on the rural shore of Lake Hayes into luxury visitor accommodation while remedying past tree felling that the Environment Court ruled had breached land-use consent in 2007.
By James Beech on Thu, 20 Aug 2009
A "phenomenal" number [69] of trees are proposed to be planted within the Threepwood cottages section to replace the "six or seven" trees and shrubs felled in 2005, independent commissioners heard in Queenstown yesterday.
Landscape architect Alan Cutler made the comment during a hearing held by commissioners John Matthews and Cath Gilmour.
The hearing aimed to understand the reasons behind Meadow 3 Ltd's four applications to adapt the historic homestead and woolshed on the rural shore of Lake Hayes into luxury visitor accommodation while remedying past tree felling that the Environment Court ruled had breached land-use consent in 2007.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Everyone loves trees, right? Well, actually...; Hamilton, NJ
Hamilton raises concerns over tree-planting - NJ.com
Hamilton raises concerns over tree-planting
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Erin Duffy
STAFF WRITER
HAMILTON -- With temperatures pushing the 90-degree mark yesterday, a little shade might seem like the perfect antidote to beat the summer heat.
But a recent state and township project to plant shade trees as part of the Cool Cities Initiative (CCI) was met with mixed reactions from township residents, some of whom said the trees were planted against their wishes.
Now, in a resolution scheduled to be heard at the township council meeting tonight, council members are calling on the two state agencies in charge of the CCI to revise portions of their policy to provide for better communication between the organizations and affected homeowners and allow residents a way to opt out of the program.
Hamilton raises concerns over tree-planting
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Erin Duffy
STAFF WRITER
HAMILTON -- With temperatures pushing the 90-degree mark yesterday, a little shade might seem like the perfect antidote to beat the summer heat.
But a recent state and township project to plant shade trees as part of the Cool Cities Initiative (CCI) was met with mixed reactions from township residents, some of whom said the trees were planted against their wishes.
Now, in a resolution scheduled to be heard at the township council meeting tonight, council members are calling on the two state agencies in charge of the CCI to revise portions of their policy to provide for better communication between the organizations and affected homeowners and allow residents a way to opt out of the program.
Chattanooga sets 40% UTC goal, pursues grants for analysis to develop plan; Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Times Free Press | City working on modeling of citywide tree cover
Chattanooga wants to take a closer look at trees across the city and figure out how to boost tree cover across town as it presses further on becoming a 'greener' city.
City Forester Gene Hyde said plans are to apply for a Lyndhurst Foundation grant to hire a consultant and also buy software that specifically would track how much canopy the city has overhead.
'We have canopy goals,' Mr. Hyde said.
Those goals include 40 percent canopy citywide and at least 17 percent of the downtown area covered in trees, he said. To get to those goals, software tracking would be used to show how much is needed and also how much is lost as any major developments come into the city, he said.
Chattanooga wants to take a closer look at trees across the city and figure out how to boost tree cover across town as it presses further on becoming a 'greener' city.
City Forester Gene Hyde said plans are to apply for a Lyndhurst Foundation grant to hire a consultant and also buy software that specifically would track how much canopy the city has overhead.
'We have canopy goals,' Mr. Hyde said.
Those goals include 40 percent canopy citywide and at least 17 percent of the downtown area covered in trees, he said. To get to those goals, software tracking would be used to show how much is needed and also how much is lost as any major developments come into the city, he said.
Monday, August 17, 2009
More north Texas cities focus on saving trees; Fort Worth, TX
More Tarrant cities focus on saving trees | Fort Worth | Star-Telegram.com
Burleson among latest to look at value of protecting greenery in time of high growth
By ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com
Imagine tree-lined streets and heavily wooded areas seemingly left untouched by development in a city experiencing an explosion of growth.
That is a vision Burleson leaders cling to as rooftops continue to pop up on the horizon and the extension of Southwest Parkway from Fort Worth promises even more.
It’s also why Burleson is considering adopting an ordinance designed to save trees and create green space. But unlike other municipalities, the city is taking an approach that its leaders hope will save its leafy canopies in huge swaths, not one piece of property at a time.
'There was a lot of clear-cutting' when the city began growing years ago, said Shai Roos, community and economic development director . 'What we’d like is a city with nice, preserved areas where we can walk like we are in the countryside.'
Burleson among latest to look at value of protecting greenery in time of high growth
By ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com
Imagine tree-lined streets and heavily wooded areas seemingly left untouched by development in a city experiencing an explosion of growth.
That is a vision Burleson leaders cling to as rooftops continue to pop up on the horizon and the extension of Southwest Parkway from Fort Worth promises even more.
It’s also why Burleson is considering adopting an ordinance designed to save trees and create green space. But unlike other municipalities, the city is taking an approach that its leaders hope will save its leafy canopies in huge swaths, not one piece of property at a time.
'There was a lot of clear-cutting' when the city began growing years ago, said Shai Roos, community and economic development director . 'What we’d like is a city with nice, preserved areas where we can walk like we are in the countryside.'
Tree Commission and Master Gardeners partner on ash census to estimate impacts of pending ash borer attack; Leesburg, VA
Loudoun County News in Brief - washingtonpost.com
Count of Leesburg Ash Trees Is Underway
Leesburg's Tree Commission and the Loudoun County Master Gardener Tree Stewards are partnering to tally ash trees in Leesburg.
The estimate of the number of trees will help the commission assess the potential impact of the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that kills the trees.
With the borer's spread, most of the ash trees in Leesburg could potentially be lost. By tallying the trees, the commission can estimate their contribution to the tree canopy cover and the potential loss in canopy.
The Tree Stewards will survey ash trees visible from public streets. They will not enter private property. The effort kicked off Aug. 6 and will probably be completed by early fall, before the leaves fall.
Count of Leesburg Ash Trees Is Underway
Leesburg's Tree Commission and the Loudoun County Master Gardener Tree Stewards are partnering to tally ash trees in Leesburg.
The estimate of the number of trees will help the commission assess the potential impact of the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that kills the trees.
With the borer's spread, most of the ash trees in Leesburg could potentially be lost. By tallying the trees, the commission can estimate their contribution to the tree canopy cover and the potential loss in canopy.
The Tree Stewards will survey ash trees visible from public streets. They will not enter private property. The effort kicked off Aug. 6 and will probably be completed by early fall, before the leaves fall.
Louisville's first conservation subdivision doesn't conserve enough, critics say; Louisville, KY
Louisville's first conservation subdivision doesn't conserve enough, critics say | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
On an old farm at the far eastern edge of Jefferson County, developer Steve Canfield wants to build a 566-house subdivision — but he promises to save much of the rolling meadows and wildflowers, natural ponds and thick ridges of tall, mature trees.
Called Catalpa Farms, it would be Louisville's first “conservation subdivision” — a new design that seeks to reduce the impact of houses and roads on the environment by clustering houses in smaller lots, while protecting large swaths of grass, trees and vegetation nearby.But while approved by the Metro Planning Commission last month, Canfield's plan for 190 acres off Old Clark Station Road in Fisherville has received a lackluster welcome from neighbors and city officials alike.
On an old farm at the far eastern edge of Jefferson County, developer Steve Canfield wants to build a 566-house subdivision — but he promises to save much of the rolling meadows and wildflowers, natural ponds and thick ridges of tall, mature trees.
Called Catalpa Farms, it would be Louisville's first “conservation subdivision” — a new design that seeks to reduce the impact of houses and roads on the environment by clustering houses in smaller lots, while protecting large swaths of grass, trees and vegetation nearby.But while approved by the Metro Planning Commission last month, Canfield's plan for 190 acres off Old Clark Station Road in Fisherville has received a lackluster welcome from neighbors and city officials alike.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Georgia Forestry Commission gives Jefferson grant for planting, UTC assessment; Jeferson, GA
Jefferson aims to spruce up its trees | News | OnlineAthens.com
JEFFERSON - The city of Jefferson can be a shady place, but the city’s Heritage Tree Council is working to make it even shadier.
The tree council, which was launched about three years ago, on Thursday received a $30,000 grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission to enhance the city’s collection of trees.
About $10,000 of the grant is to plant shade trees around a playground used by Boys & Girls Club members, and the rest, combined with $5,000 that the council received in 2008, will go to study exactly how much of the city is covered by a tree canopy.
JEFFERSON - The city of Jefferson can be a shady place, but the city’s Heritage Tree Council is working to make it even shadier.
The tree council, which was launched about three years ago, on Thursday received a $30,000 grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission to enhance the city’s collection of trees.
About $10,000 of the grant is to plant shade trees around a playground used by Boys & Girls Club members, and the rest, combined with $5,000 that the council received in 2008, will go to study exactly how much of the city is covered by a tree canopy.
Top Long Beach Post bold idea for city- plant a million trees; Long Beach, CA
LBPOST.com: Bold Idea #1: One Million Trees
"Bold Idea #1: One Million Trees
by Brian Ulaszewski | Design In Place | 08.13.09 |
There is likely no greater value to a city’s environment that trees. They provide the oxygen we breathe while filtering pollution in the air. Trees supply shade for those on the ground and shelter for animals above. They raise property values and give character to communities. Some trees bear fruit while others simply provide comfort. They reduce the heat island effect while managing urban stormwater runoff. To plant a million trees in the City of Long Beach would make an incredible impact on the health of the local environment and its citizens. While some might decry this idea as unoriginal because of Los Angeles’s attempted to embark on the same initiative, it is truly bold because Long Beach is an eighth the size of its larger brother. To visually quantify a million trees, imagine a canopy of trees that covers eight square miles of the city’s surface.
"Bold Idea #1: One Million Trees
by Brian Ulaszewski | Design In Place | 08.13.09 |
There is likely no greater value to a city’s environment that trees. They provide the oxygen we breathe while filtering pollution in the air. Trees supply shade for those on the ground and shelter for animals above. They raise property values and give character to communities. Some trees bear fruit while others simply provide comfort. They reduce the heat island effect while managing urban stormwater runoff. To plant a million trees in the City of Long Beach would make an incredible impact on the health of the local environment and its citizens. While some might decry this idea as unoriginal because of Los Angeles’s attempted to embark on the same initiative, it is truly bold because Long Beach is an eighth the size of its larger brother. To visually quantify a million trees, imagine a canopy of trees that covers eight square miles of the city’s surface.
Seattle City Council resolves to pass tree protection measures by May 2010; Seattle, WA
Local News | Seattle's tree-cutting rules to get more strict; advocates hoped for more | Seattle Times Newspaper
By Emily Heffter
Seattle Times staff reporter
Council President Richard Conlin The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Monday to require stricter tree-cutting regulations by May.
The vote left details unsettled and tree advocates lukewarm, but the council hailed it as a first step.
Monday's resolution asks the Department of Planning and Development to decide in the next 10 months whether to require permits for tree cutting. Currently, private-property owners can cut down a maximum of three trees a year without permits. The council also wants the department to consider tightening development rules to require people to preserve trees.
The council also voted to establish an Urban Forestry Commission that includes scientists, a developer and tree advocates.
By Emily Heffter
Seattle Times staff reporter
Council President Richard Conlin The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Monday to require stricter tree-cutting regulations by May.
The vote left details unsettled and tree advocates lukewarm, but the council hailed it as a first step.
Monday's resolution asks the Department of Planning and Development to decide in the next 10 months whether to require permits for tree cutting. Currently, private-property owners can cut down a maximum of three trees a year without permits. The council also wants the department to consider tightening development rules to require people to preserve trees.
The council also voted to establish an Urban Forestry Commission that includes scientists, a developer and tree advocates.
Developer of adjacent property requests removal of one of town's oldest and largest trees, citing unreasonable risk; Mount Gambier, Australia
Massive tree faces the chop
One of the city’s oldest and largest street trees faces the axe, following complaints by a nearby landholder who is developing the adjacent Jardine Street site. Businessman Adrian de Bruin, who owns the old convent site and is building 30 luxury townhouses, has written to council claiming the ageing 18 metre high and 18 metre wide red flowering gum is a risk to the public and should be felled.
At Mount Gambier City Council’s operational services committee, one councillor flagged he would “reluctantly” vote for the tree to be removed.
This is despite council undertaking remedial works several years ago to prolong the tree’s life.
One of the city’s oldest and largest street trees faces the axe, following complaints by a nearby landholder who is developing the adjacent Jardine Street site. Businessman Adrian de Bruin, who owns the old convent site and is building 30 luxury townhouses, has written to council claiming the ageing 18 metre high and 18 metre wide red flowering gum is a risk to the public and should be felled.
At Mount Gambier City Council’s operational services committee, one councillor flagged he would “reluctantly” vote for the tree to be removed.
This is despite council undertaking remedial works several years ago to prolong the tree’s life.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Baltimore City and Constellation Energy team up to put $500,000 into initiatives to reduce energy use and increase UTC; Baltimore, MD
Maryland Daily Record
Baltimore City launches neighborhood energy-saving pilot
DANIELLE ULMAN
Daily Record Business Writer
August 12, 2009 2:17 PM
Mayor Sheila Dixon urged Baltimore neighborhood leaders to get out the word about energy conservation Wednesday with the launch of a pilot program encouraging households to trim power use.
The Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge will run as a pilot for nine months in nine Baltimore communities, spreading the word about energy efficiency through neighbor-to-neighbor contact, in partnership with the Baltimore Community Foundation, an organization that helps businesses and donors plan charitable work.
The program’s goal is to reduce electricity use and cut greenhouse gas emissions in the city 15 percent by 2015, similar to the state’s EmPower Maryland goals. If the program is successful, Baltimore will roll out a citywide plan next year, said Sarah Zaleski, the city’s sustainability coordinator.
Baltimore will fund the project, which Zaleski said will cost $300,000, through donations from Constellation Energy Group Inc., other foundations and federal stimulus money. Constellation’s $500,000 gift will be invested in two areas — $200,000 will go to the energy challenge and $300,000 to help reach a goal set in the Baltimore Sustainability Plan to double the city’s tree canopy over the next 30 years, she said.
Baltimore City launches neighborhood energy-saving pilot
DANIELLE ULMAN
Daily Record Business Writer
August 12, 2009 2:17 PM
Mayor Sheila Dixon urged Baltimore neighborhood leaders to get out the word about energy conservation Wednesday with the launch of a pilot program encouraging households to trim power use.
The Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge will run as a pilot for nine months in nine Baltimore communities, spreading the word about energy efficiency through neighbor-to-neighbor contact, in partnership with the Baltimore Community Foundation, an organization that helps businesses and donors plan charitable work.
The program’s goal is to reduce electricity use and cut greenhouse gas emissions in the city 15 percent by 2015, similar to the state’s EmPower Maryland goals. If the program is successful, Baltimore will roll out a citywide plan next year, said Sarah Zaleski, the city’s sustainability coordinator.
Baltimore will fund the project, which Zaleski said will cost $300,000, through donations from Constellation Energy Group Inc., other foundations and federal stimulus money. Constellation’s $500,000 gift will be invested in two areas — $200,000 will go to the energy challenge and $300,000 to help reach a goal set in the Baltimore Sustainability Plan to double the city’s tree canopy over the next 30 years, she said.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tree failure on Drew campus prompts assessment of forested area; Madison, NJ
Madison to assess 'Drew Forest' after fallen tree blocks road
Collapse of 200-year-old oak knocked out power to 100 houses
Published: Aug 11th, 1:57 PM
Bt SALLY CAPONE
Staff Writer
MADISON – Following the collapse of an enormous old red oak tree on Drew University property that blocked Green Village Road, brought down electrical lines and knocked out power to 100 homes in the area, officials from the borough and Drew University plan to meet about the condition of the 50-acre “Drew Forest” on the campus.
Before officials discuss the Aug. 6 incident, a borough arborist and Michael Kopas, director of special projects at Drew and a member of the Madison Shade Tree Management Board, will study the area, said Borough Administrator Raymond Codey.
The tree, 52 inches in diameter, fell across Green Village Road between Hillside Avenue and Glenwild Road at about 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.
No injuries were reported, but 100 homes in the area were without power and telephone service for two hours, and traffic signals were disabled.
Collapse of 200-year-old oak knocked out power to 100 houses
Published: Aug 11th, 1:57 PM
Bt SALLY CAPONE
Staff Writer
MADISON – Following the collapse of an enormous old red oak tree on Drew University property that blocked Green Village Road, brought down electrical lines and knocked out power to 100 homes in the area, officials from the borough and Drew University plan to meet about the condition of the 50-acre “Drew Forest” on the campus.
Before officials discuss the Aug. 6 incident, a borough arborist and Michael Kopas, director of special projects at Drew and a member of the Madison Shade Tree Management Board, will study the area, said Borough Administrator Raymond Codey.
The tree, 52 inches in diameter, fell across Green Village Road between Hillside Avenue and Glenwild Road at about 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.
No injuries were reported, but 100 homes in the area were without power and telephone service for two hours, and traffic signals were disabled.
Pave paradise, put up a parking lot? Citizens meet to debate proposal; Guelph, Ontario, Canada
GuelphMercury.com - News - Public meeting to explore trees versus cars
August 11, 2009
Vik Kirsch
vkirsch@guelphmercury.com
GUELPH — Neighbours and environmentalists are irked by plans to expand municipal parking in front of the Guelph Youth Music Centre downtown, saying it threatens mature trees and the area’s historic flavour.
A public meeting Thursday may explore a compromise to allow development while also preserving heritage.
The meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. at the centre on Cardigan Street downtown, a historic lowland area that’s home to the Goldie Mill ruins along the Speed River.
August 11, 2009
Vik Kirsch
vkirsch@guelphmercury.com
GUELPH — Neighbours and environmentalists are irked by plans to expand municipal parking in front of the Guelph Youth Music Centre downtown, saying it threatens mature trees and the area’s historic flavour.
A public meeting Thursday may explore a compromise to allow development while also preserving heritage.
The meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. at the centre on Cardigan Street downtown, a historic lowland area that’s home to the Goldie Mill ruins along the Speed River.
India's forest and tree cover are significant carbon sinks, key elements of CO2 mitigation strategy; India
Forests will rescue India, says Jairam Ramesh DEVELOPMENT NEWS MyNews.in:
India's Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the country as of 2005. In addition, Tree Cover accounts for 2.8% of India's geographical area.
Over the last two decades, progressive national forestry legislations and policies in India aimed at conservation and sustainable management of forests have reversed deforestation and have transformed India's forests into a significant net sink of CO2.
From 1995 to 2005, the carbon stocks stored in our forests and trees have increased from 6,245 million tonnes (mt) to 6,662 mt, registering an annual increment of 38 mt of carbon or 138 mt of CO2 equivalent.
India's Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the country as of 2005. In addition, Tree Cover accounts for 2.8% of India's geographical area.
Over the last two decades, progressive national forestry legislations and policies in India aimed at conservation and sustainable management of forests have reversed deforestation and have transformed India's forests into a significant net sink of CO2.
From 1995 to 2005, the carbon stocks stored in our forests and trees have increased from 6,245 million tonnes (mt) to 6,662 mt, registering an annual increment of 38 mt of carbon or 138 mt of CO2 equivalent.
i-Tree software package helps town undertake inventory, calculate trees' ecosystem services; Durham, NC
Forest Hills Neighborhood Association: Durham Street Tree Inventory/Canopy Analysis
Trees provide a lot to us as residents of Durham. Just what it is they do for us is sometimes hard to assign a value to. This makes it hard to justify spending the money needed to maintain an urban tree canopy, especially when other issues clamor for scarce resources.The good news is that there is a way to estimate the value of an urban forest. Thanks to a partnership between the Davey Resource Group and the US Forest Service, there is a suite of software called i-Tree that works in conjunction with a set of tools developed specifically for inventorying and evaluating the value, condition, and canopy density of an urban forest.
Trees provide a lot to us as residents of Durham. Just what it is they do for us is sometimes hard to assign a value to. This makes it hard to justify spending the money needed to maintain an urban tree canopy, especially when other issues clamor for scarce resources.The good news is that there is a way to estimate the value of an urban forest. Thanks to a partnership between the Davey Resource Group and the US Forest Service, there is a suite of software called i-Tree that works in conjunction with a set of tools developed specifically for inventorying and evaluating the value, condition, and canopy density of an urban forest.
EPA approves use of trees as part of stormwater strategy in CSO; Louisville, KY
MSD to buy thousands of trees | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
Louisville is about to get a lot greener. The Metropolitan Sewer District will spend $500,000 through next June and plans another $1 million in the following two years to plant as many as 10,000 trees.“After the double whammy of the windstorm and ice storm, our community saw terrible damage to our tree canopy,” said Kerri Richardson, spokeswoman for Mayor Jerry Abramson. “The scale of this project is staggering — thousands upon thousands of new trees—– and it couldn't arrive at a better time. This is a project that will return benefits for decades".
Sewers and trees may seem like an odd combination, but MSD views the effort as one way to help prevent rain from flooding the system and sending sewage overflowing into Beargrass Creek and the Ohio River.
A settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires MSD to reduce sewage overflows, and MSD has proposed an $850 million plan to tackle the problem by 2024 — including money for the trees.
Louisville is about to get a lot greener. The Metropolitan Sewer District will spend $500,000 through next June and plans another $1 million in the following two years to plant as many as 10,000 trees.“After the double whammy of the windstorm and ice storm, our community saw terrible damage to our tree canopy,” said Kerri Richardson, spokeswoman for Mayor Jerry Abramson. “The scale of this project is staggering — thousands upon thousands of new trees—– and it couldn't arrive at a better time. This is a project that will return benefits for decades".
Sewers and trees may seem like an odd combination, but MSD views the effort as one way to help prevent rain from flooding the system and sending sewage overflowing into Beargrass Creek and the Ohio River.
A settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires MSD to reduce sewage overflows, and MSD has proposed an $850 million plan to tackle the problem by 2024 — including money for the trees.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tale of two gardens - differences in post-storm management hold lessons for others; Lake Wales, FL
2 Famed Polk Attractions Transformed by Storms | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL
By Gary White
THE LEDGER
Published: Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
LAKE WALES | At dawn on the morning after Hurricane Charley churned through Polk County, David Price surveyed the devastation at Bok Tower Gardens and briefly gave in to despair.
'I felt my knees getting weak,' said Price, then director of horticulture at the Lake Wales natural attraction and now its president. 'That's how bad it was.'
The hurricane ravaged live oak, magnolia and longleaf pine trees that had stood in the gardens since before the attraction opened in 1929. In Price's estimate, Charley and two successive hurricanes claimed more than 200 trees at the 250-acre gardens. Some of the trees were uprooted; others died gradually after being weakened and attacked by pine bark beetles.
By Gary White
THE LEDGER
Published: Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
LAKE WALES | At dawn on the morning after Hurricane Charley churned through Polk County, David Price surveyed the devastation at Bok Tower Gardens and briefly gave in to despair.
'I felt my knees getting weak,' said Price, then director of horticulture at the Lake Wales natural attraction and now its president. 'That's how bad it was.'
The hurricane ravaged live oak, magnolia and longleaf pine trees that had stood in the gardens since before the attraction opened in 1929. In Price's estimate, Charley and two successive hurricanes claimed more than 200 trees at the 250-acre gardens. Some of the trees were uprooted; others died gradually after being weakened and attacked by pine bark beetles.
Use v. conservation creates conflicts on city preserve; Austin, TX
City struggles to balance needs of birds, bikers and hikers on preserve lands
Balcones Canyonland Preserve invites proposals for new trails.
By Pamela LeBlanc
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Field biologist Bill Reiner ducked under a cable blocking a trail that dips and dives through the underbrush of the Barton Creek Greenbelt Wilderness Park last month and groaned.
'Oh, no, not again,' he said, pointing to a freshly cut, wrist-thick stump.
In April, staffers checking this part of the greenbelt near Scottish Woods encountered a bicyclist with a saw in hand, blazing a new trail. They ordered him off the land but didn't press charges. They have since closed the trail but periodically discover that people have ignored their barriers.
This land, about 1,000 acres, is a piece of the multitract Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The property was set aside to partially offset the secondary damage of development that has sprawled across these hills: the destruction of wooded habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo, both endangered bird species, and a handful of endangered cave-dwelling invertebrates.
Balcones Canyonland Preserve invites proposals for new trails.
By Pamela LeBlanc
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Field biologist Bill Reiner ducked under a cable blocking a trail that dips and dives through the underbrush of the Barton Creek Greenbelt Wilderness Park last month and groaned.
'Oh, no, not again,' he said, pointing to a freshly cut, wrist-thick stump.
In April, staffers checking this part of the greenbelt near Scottish Woods encountered a bicyclist with a saw in hand, blazing a new trail. They ordered him off the land but didn't press charges. They have since closed the trail but periodically discover that people have ignored their barriers.
This land, about 1,000 acres, is a piece of the multitract Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The property was set aside to partially offset the secondary damage of development that has sprawled across these hills: the destruction of wooded habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo, both endangered bird species, and a handful of endangered cave-dwelling invertebrates.
Columnist defines 'Urban Forest', discusses ecosystem services they provide; Tampa, FL
These trees create your own 'Urban Forest'
By STEVE JONES
Hernando Today columnist
Published: August 9, 2009
What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Urban Forest'? To me, it sounds a lot better than a concrete jungle, a phrase that conjures up visions of towering office and apartment buildings.
In recent years, the urban forest concept has developed largely to counter the concrete jungle, planting trees and shrubs in urban environments across America.
Urban forests mean different things to different people. To some it might mean setting aside areas strictly for native plants that probably grew there before the advent of the city. To others it might mean creating greenways with more exotic plants. For yet other urban forest enthusiasts, it could mean planting street trees throughout an inner city community.
By STEVE JONES
Hernando Today columnist
Published: August 9, 2009
What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Urban Forest'? To me, it sounds a lot better than a concrete jungle, a phrase that conjures up visions of towering office and apartment buildings.
In recent years, the urban forest concept has developed largely to counter the concrete jungle, planting trees and shrubs in urban environments across America.
Urban forests mean different things to different people. To some it might mean setting aside areas strictly for native plants that probably grew there before the advent of the city. To others it might mean creating greenways with more exotic plants. For yet other urban forest enthusiasts, it could mean planting street trees throughout an inner city community.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tree felling approval falls between oversight cracks, bypasses public comment; Wilmington Island, GA
Chain-saw diplomacy | SavannahNow.com
County should formalize MPC agreement to ensure openness.
THE CONTINUED vacancy of a cleared lot on Wilmington Island underscores the argument in favor of more public debate before a rush to fell canopy trees.
In March of last year, island residents learned of a decision to cut down two large oak trees on a lot at the corner of Johnny Mercer Boulevard and Penn Waller Road, owned by developer Bobby Chu.
To many on the eastside island, the move was underhanded: A site plan previously approved - and publicly debated - by the Metropolitan Planning Commission said one tree might be removed, not two (or three, as Mr. Chu also cleared a large tree on the interior of the lot).
County should formalize MPC agreement to ensure openness.
THE CONTINUED vacancy of a cleared lot on Wilmington Island underscores the argument in favor of more public debate before a rush to fell canopy trees.
In March of last year, island residents learned of a decision to cut down two large oak trees on a lot at the corner of Johnny Mercer Boulevard and Penn Waller Road, owned by developer Bobby Chu.
To many on the eastside island, the move was underhanded: A site plan previously approved - and publicly debated - by the Metropolitan Planning Commission said one tree might be removed, not two (or three, as Mr. Chu also cleared a large tree on the interior of the lot).
Aussies use remote sensing and GIS to target optimal locations for planting to mitigate urban heat island; Brisbane, Australia
New technology helps identify right location for trees - Environment - News | Northside Chronicle
BRISBANE: The Brisbane City Council has become the first local government in Australia to use satellite technology to target where trees should be planted to shade the city.
The technology allows council to pinpoint the hottest spots of the city down to individual streets.
More than 10,000 street trees will shade the city’s hottest streets, parks and bikeways over the next 12 months, based on maps generated from heat and cool-spot technology.
The project is part of Lord Mayor Campbell Newman’s 2 Million Trees project, which in turn supports the target to restore 40 per cent of Brisbane to bush cover by 2026.
BRISBANE: The Brisbane City Council has become the first local government in Australia to use satellite technology to target where trees should be planted to shade the city.
The technology allows council to pinpoint the hottest spots of the city down to individual streets.
More than 10,000 street trees will shade the city’s hottest streets, parks and bikeways over the next 12 months, based on maps generated from heat and cool-spot technology.
The project is part of Lord Mayor Campbell Newman’s 2 Million Trees project, which in turn supports the target to restore 40 per cent of Brisbane to bush cover by 2026.
Commentary: Put the actual green back into "Green" movement - not just about density but also trees and greenspace; Berkeley, CA
Green Should Be Green. Reader Commentaries from The Berkeley Daily Planet - Thursday August 06, 2009
By John Koenigshofer
Thursday August 06, 2009
Early environmentalists believed that limiting population growth was the foundation for all efforts to preserve our natural world. Today’s urban environmentalists have a different view. Green is not literally green anymore. It does not mean grass, trees, open space or anything resembling nature but is a code word for increased population density; an accommodation of limitless population growth.
The lack of vision in the current green movement is grossly apparent in Berkeley. As “progressives” and “environmentalists” congratulate themselves on their achievements, more and more people are crammed into smaller spaces with less trees, birds, and sunlight.
By John Koenigshofer
Thursday August 06, 2009
Early environmentalists believed that limiting population growth was the foundation for all efforts to preserve our natural world. Today’s urban environmentalists have a different view. Green is not literally green anymore. It does not mean grass, trees, open space or anything resembling nature but is a code word for increased population density; an accommodation of limitless population growth.
The lack of vision in the current green movement is grossly apparent in Berkeley. As “progressives” and “environmentalists” congratulate themselves on their achievements, more and more people are crammed into smaller spaces with less trees, birds, and sunlight.
Seattle tree giveaway program provides for trees for street and yard; Seattle, WA
Get Free Trees For Your Neighborhood And Your Own Yard
by Seattle Medium
Originally posted 8/5/2009
Seattle residents can get free trees for their neighborhood, plus get a bonus fruit tree for their own yard, as part of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Tree Fund. Under the Neighborhood Matching Fund program, the Tree Fund provides street trees to organized groups of neighbors who plant the free trees together to beautify their neighborhood.
by Seattle Medium
Originally posted 8/5/2009
Seattle residents can get free trees for their neighborhood, plus get a bonus fruit tree for their own yard, as part of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Tree Fund. Under the Neighborhood Matching Fund program, the Tree Fund provides street trees to organized groups of neighbors who plant the free trees together to beautify their neighborhood.
Pinecrest leaders push FPL for answers on why undergrounding not feasible-impacts to tree canopy cited; Pinecrest, FL
Pinecrest leaders push FPL for answers - Pinecrest / Bays - MiamiHerald.com
The mayor and village leaders want answers from Florida Power & Light regarding its planned power lines along U.S. 1.
BY TANIA VALDEMORO
tvaldemoro@MiamiHerald.com
Pinecrest leaders fired off a letter to state environmental regulators seeking more information on how a high voltage power line project would affect their village.
Florida Power & Light has proposed installing overhead 230-kV transmission lines connecting its nuclear power plants at Turkey Point to a substation in downtown Miami starting in 2012. Part of the proposed path of the lines would be in Pinecrest along U.S. 1.
Last week, Village attorney Cynthia Everett and Mayor Cindy Lerner sent a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection calling the utility application "incomplete."
The mayor and village leaders want answers from Florida Power & Light regarding its planned power lines along U.S. 1.
BY TANIA VALDEMORO
tvaldemoro@MiamiHerald.com
Pinecrest leaders fired off a letter to state environmental regulators seeking more information on how a high voltage power line project would affect their village.
Florida Power & Light has proposed installing overhead 230-kV transmission lines connecting its nuclear power plants at Turkey Point to a substation in downtown Miami starting in 2012. Part of the proposed path of the lines would be in Pinecrest along U.S. 1.
Last week, Village attorney Cynthia Everett and Mayor Cindy Lerner sent a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection calling the utility application "incomplete."
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A tour through a portion of Boston's urban forest includes the Emerald Necklace; Boston, MA
Brahmins and Beyond | BU Today
Commonwealth Avenue isn’t all rumbling Green Line trains and construction barrels. Its easternmost stretch offers a leafy look into Boston history, urban parkland, and Victorian architecture that blends elegance with surprise.
The real heart of this walk waits beyond elevated Charlesgate Road.
The Muddy River, which sneaks through Boston’s Emerald Necklace, pokes its head up after the overpass, offering a glimpse of river life beneath a concrete balustrade, before dipping back under the asphalt. Across the street is the Comm Ave Mall, not very wide but long enough to encompass eight grassy acres studded with statues and benches, stretching from here to your destination: Boston’s Public Garden.
This is still an urban space, with multiple lanes of high-speed traffic on either side. The edifices of Back Bay loom in the distance, including the Hancock Tower, whose front courtyard is rumored to be one of the coldest places to stand in Boston during the winter. Another contender, City Hall Plaza, also was designed by architect I.M. Pei. But once you enter the Mall, there’s a reduction in scale and noise, a welcome coolness beneath the tree canopy.
Commonwealth Avenue isn’t all rumbling Green Line trains and construction barrels. Its easternmost stretch offers a leafy look into Boston history, urban parkland, and Victorian architecture that blends elegance with surprise.
The real heart of this walk waits beyond elevated Charlesgate Road.
The Muddy River, which sneaks through Boston’s Emerald Necklace, pokes its head up after the overpass, offering a glimpse of river life beneath a concrete balustrade, before dipping back under the asphalt. Across the street is the Comm Ave Mall, not very wide but long enough to encompass eight grassy acres studded with statues and benches, stretching from here to your destination: Boston’s Public Garden.
This is still an urban space, with multiple lanes of high-speed traffic on either side. The edifices of Back Bay loom in the distance, including the Hancock Tower, whose front courtyard is rumored to be one of the coldest places to stand in Boston during the winter. Another contender, City Hall Plaza, also was designed by architect I.M. Pei. But once you enter the Mall, there’s a reduction in scale and noise, a welcome coolness beneath the tree canopy.
Million schmillion! London becomes world UTC leader via committment to plant 2,000,000 trees by 2025; London, UK
London Will Plant Two Million Trees by 2025 « The Dirt
According to The Guardian (UK), Isabel Dedring, London’s environmental advisor believes average summer temperatures could be 3.9 degrees C higher by 2080. London’s increasing temperatures are viewed as part of the city’s urban heat island effect and the result of global warming. To combat the temperature rise, the mayor released an environment plan that aims to increase tree cover across London by 5 percent, or two million trees, by 2025. An additional 5 percent of tree cover will come from added green space in inner London, including green roofs, according to the The Guardian. The goal is to reach 10 percent more greenery, the amount a UK study contends is required to offset project temperature increases.
Additionally, “trees in streets have a very positive air-quality effect,” noted Isabel Dedring, London’s environmental advisor.
The tree cover project is part of a broader plan,“Leading to a Greener London,” by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The London plan outlines a range of CO2 mitigation and adaptation programs. London’s plan also follows the “UK Low Carbon Transition Plan,” released in mid-July 2009 by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and shares many of its recommendations. (see earlier post)
According to The Guardian (UK), Isabel Dedring, London’s environmental advisor believes average summer temperatures could be 3.9 degrees C higher by 2080. London’s increasing temperatures are viewed as part of the city’s urban heat island effect and the result of global warming. To combat the temperature rise, the mayor released an environment plan that aims to increase tree cover across London by 5 percent, or two million trees, by 2025. An additional 5 percent of tree cover will come from added green space in inner London, including green roofs, according to the The Guardian. The goal is to reach 10 percent more greenery, the amount a UK study contends is required to offset project temperature increases.
Additionally, “trees in streets have a very positive air-quality effect,” noted Isabel Dedring, London’s environmental advisor.
The tree cover project is part of a broader plan,“Leading to a Greener London,” by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The London plan outlines a range of CO2 mitigation and adaptation programs. London’s plan also follows the “UK Low Carbon Transition Plan,” released in mid-July 2009 by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and shares many of its recommendations. (see earlier post)
Home sweet UTC home - two homeless Chinese men turn tree into home; New Delhi, India
Two homeless Chinese men turn tree into home!
NEW DELHI - Two homeless Chinese men are reported to have been living on a tree for several months, after they were kicked out from their previous resting place.
NEW DELHI - Two homeless Chinese men are reported to have been living on a tree for several months, after they were kicked out from their previous resting place.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Calhoun looks to improve streetscape by moving trees from center to edge of sidewalk, creating new travel lane; Calhoun, IN
Calhoun controversy | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Published: August 3, 2009 3:00 a.m.
Three years after the City Council approved reverting two downtown blocks of Calhoun Street from one-way northbound back to two-way, the council is again slated to debate the merits of the change at its Tuesday meeting. The Henry administration’s plan to overhaul those two blocks has been the target of undue criticism and is worthy of adoption.
Here are answers to some questions about the project, including renderings of the current section and the planned changes.
Published: August 3, 2009 3:00 a.m.
Three years after the City Council approved reverting two downtown blocks of Calhoun Street from one-way northbound back to two-way, the council is again slated to debate the merits of the change at its Tuesday meeting. The Henry administration’s plan to overhaul those two blocks has been the target of undue criticism and is worthy of adoption.
Here are answers to some questions about the project, including renderings of the current section and the planned changes.
Seattle goes all in for green - new measures call for more UTC, more density, and more infill; Seattle, WA
City Council votes to save Seattle trees
Can Jet City have more trees and more buildings?
By CHRIS GRYGIEL
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF
The City Council passed two measures Monday designed to protect trees in Seattle, a goal members said is not in conflict with plans to increase the number of people and buildings in the Emerald City as well.
By two 8-0 votes the council approved a resolution directing the Department of Planning and Development to come up with tree protection legislation by May 2010 and an ordinance creating an Urban Forestry Commission to advise the mayor and City Council on tree issues.
Environmentalists and the city's business community supported the efforts, though some tree proponents worried developers still have too much influence.
Also covered in:
Ballard News Tribune
Majority Rules Blog
Can Jet City have more trees and more buildings?
By CHRIS GRYGIEL
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF
The City Council passed two measures Monday designed to protect trees in Seattle, a goal members said is not in conflict with plans to increase the number of people and buildings in the Emerald City as well.
By two 8-0 votes the council approved a resolution directing the Department of Planning and Development to come up with tree protection legislation by May 2010 and an ordinance creating an Urban Forestry Commission to advise the mayor and City Council on tree issues.
Environmentalists and the city's business community supported the efforts, though some tree proponents worried developers still have too much influence.
Also covered in:
Ballard News Tribune
Majority Rules Blog
Richmond can learn about greening from NYC's New York Restoration Partnership; Richmond, VA
Making Green in Richmond | RVANews
“The biggest paradigm shift that needs to happen is to see the importance of: one, beautification and two, parks, which have been considered a nicety, not a necessity.”
So says Drew Becher (rhymes with “checker”), Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project—an organization with a fifteen year track record of revitalization of green space and waterfront in New York City—when asked about the principles that should guide urban development.
“The biggest paradigm shift that needs to happen is to see the importance of: one, beautification and two, parks, which have been considered a nicety, not a necessity.”
So says Drew Becher (rhymes with “checker”), Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project—an organization with a fifteen year track record of revitalization of green space and waterfront in New York City—when asked about the principles that should guide urban development.
City promises a little off the top and sides, but roadside forest ends up with crew cut; Brighton, MI
Tree trim really major lumbering | livingstondaily.com | Livingston Daily
My intention of writing this letter is to alert the citizens of Brighton to the destruction of our beautiful heritage trees along Winans Lake Road.
Nothing prepared me for the shock of the actual lumbering job that took place. Trees that were more than 100 years old were cut down, and our beautiful tree canopy that lined our road was destroyed. We will never be able to enjoy this natural beauty road again. The reasons given were flimsy at best, and the "why" was never answered honestly.
My intention of writing this letter is to alert the citizens of Brighton to the destruction of our beautiful heritage trees along Winans Lake Road.
Nothing prepared me for the shock of the actual lumbering job that took place. Trees that were more than 100 years old were cut down, and our beautiful tree canopy that lined our road was destroyed. We will never be able to enjoy this natural beauty road again. The reasons given were flimsy at best, and the "why" was never answered honestly.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Chattanooga looks at UTC analysis and goal; Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Times Free Press | City working on modeling of citywide tree cover
Chattanooga wants to take a closer look at trees across the city and figure out how to boost tree cover across town as it presses further on becoming a 'greener' city.
City Forester Gene Hyde said plans are to apply for a Lyndhurst Foundation grant to hire a consultant and also buy software that specifically would track how much canopy the city has overhead.
'We have canopy goals,' Mr. Hyde said.
Those goals include 40 percent canopy citywide and at least 17 percent of the downtown area covered in trees, he said. To get to those goals, software tracking would be used to show how much is needed and also how much is lost as any major developments come into the city, he said.
Chattanooga wants to take a closer look at trees across the city and figure out how to boost tree cover across town as it presses further on becoming a 'greener' city.
City Forester Gene Hyde said plans are to apply for a Lyndhurst Foundation grant to hire a consultant and also buy software that specifically would track how much canopy the city has overhead.
'We have canopy goals,' Mr. Hyde said.
Those goals include 40 percent canopy citywide and at least 17 percent of the downtown area covered in trees, he said. To get to those goals, software tracking would be used to show how much is needed and also how much is lost as any major developments come into the city, he said.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
51% UTC at risk due to hurricanes, rainy season: Gainesville, FL
The peak time for tree damage is the summer months because of the hurricane season and the rainy season. | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL
By Tatiana Gonzalez
Correspondent
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 31, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.
Trees are a celebrated part of Gainesville's beauty but also can be a hazard if not treated properly.
The peak time for tree damage is the summer months - hurricane season, the rainy season - the busiest time of year for tree services, according to certified arborist and owner of Gator Tree Services Anthony Dobosiewicz.
Rain softens the ground, which in turn causes roots to loosen, Dobosiewicz said.
Add wind or a top-heavy canopy and trees are prone to break or uproot completely.
'The rain is a contributing factor,' Dobosiewicz said. 'But the wind is what brings them down.'
Gainesville has a tree canopy coverage of almost 51 percent, well beyond the 40 percent coverage recommended by the International Society of Arborculture, according to a study done by the University of Florida's School of Forest Resources and Conservation.
Tree canopy coverage was at about 60 percent only 10 years ago, according to the study, which cited Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, site clearing for development, tree removals and general canopy maintenance as the reasons for the decrease.
By Tatiana Gonzalez
Correspondent
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 31, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.
Trees are a celebrated part of Gainesville's beauty but also can be a hazard if not treated properly.
The peak time for tree damage is the summer months - hurricane season, the rainy season - the busiest time of year for tree services, according to certified arborist and owner of Gator Tree Services Anthony Dobosiewicz.
Rain softens the ground, which in turn causes roots to loosen, Dobosiewicz said.
Add wind or a top-heavy canopy and trees are prone to break or uproot completely.
'The rain is a contributing factor,' Dobosiewicz said. 'But the wind is what brings them down.'
Gainesville has a tree canopy coverage of almost 51 percent, well beyond the 40 percent coverage recommended by the International Society of Arborculture, according to a study done by the University of Florida's School of Forest Resources and Conservation.
Tree canopy coverage was at about 60 percent only 10 years ago, according to the study, which cited Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, site clearing for development, tree removals and general canopy maintenance as the reasons for the decrease.
Program extols energy savings, other benefits of tree planting; Sarasota, FL
Programs promote the planting of trees | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
By PATRICIA PORCHEY Sarasota Co. Horticulturist
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
During these hot, muggy summer days, we tend to gravitate to that picnic table under a tree's canopy, or park in a shady space. We know that the temperature will be much lower in the shade of a tree compared to open spaces. Trees shading your home can translate into energy savings.
By PATRICIA PORCHEY Sarasota Co. Horticulturist
Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
During these hot, muggy summer days, we tend to gravitate to that picnic table under a tree's canopy, or park in a shady space. We know that the temperature will be much lower in the shade of a tree compared to open spaces. Trees shading your home can translate into energy savings.
Urban Forester Interview on Palm Tree Trimming and Tree Maintenance; Glendale, CA
Glendale, California Urban Forester Interview on Palm Tree Trimming and Tree Maintenance Conducted by the City | Sunroom Desk
Posted By: editor Conservation, Neighborhood Issues
A few weeks ago, I observed crews trimming fronds from palm trees lining Glenwood Road. The extra-long boom lifts sending brave men high into the air to trim the tall palms was a fascinated sight; I assumed it must also be a high-cost municipal budget item. After the fronds were cleared away, I contacted Glendale’s Urban Forester, Teresa Proscewicz, to ask some questions about Glendale’s policies on palms and other trees. She answered several questions via email, below
Posted By: editor Conservation, Neighborhood Issues
A few weeks ago, I observed crews trimming fronds from palm trees lining Glenwood Road. The extra-long boom lifts sending brave men high into the air to trim the tall palms was a fascinated sight; I assumed it must also be a high-cost municipal budget item. After the fronds were cleared away, I contacted Glendale’s Urban Forester, Teresa Proscewicz, to ask some questions about Glendale’s policies on palms and other trees. She answered several questions via email, below
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