Urban Forest Assessments Resource Guide
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Sustaining America's Urban Trees and Forests
United States Department of SSustainingustaining AAmerica’smerica’s Agriculture Forest Service UUrbanrban TTreesrees andand ForestsForests Northern Research Station State and Private Forestry General Technical DDavidavid J.J. NNowak,owak, SusanSusan M.M. Stein,Stein, PaulaPaula B.B. Randler,Randler, EricEric J.J. GreenGreenfi eeld,ld, Report NRS-62 SSaraara JJ.. CComas,omas, MMaryary AA.. CCarr,arr, aandnd RRalphalph J.J. AligAlig June 2010 A Forests on the Edge Report ABSTRACT Nowak, David J.; Stein, Susan M.; Randler, Paula B.; Greenfi eld, Eric J.; Comas, Sara J.; Carr, Mary A.; Alig, Ralph J. 2010. Sustaining America’s urban trees and forests: a Forests on the Edge report. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-62. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 27 p. Close to 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas and depends on the essential ecological, economic, and social benefi ts provided by urban trees and forests. However, the distribution of urban tree cover and the benefi ts of urban forests vary across the United States, as do the challenges of sustaining this important resource. As urban areas expand across the country, the importance of the benefi ts that urban forests provide, as well as the challenges to their conservation and maintenance, will increase. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the current status and benefi ts of America’s urban forests, compare differences in urban forest canopy cover among regions, and discuss challenges facing urban forests and their implications for urban forest management. Key Words: Urban forest, urbanization, land Lisa DeJong The Plain Dealer, Photo: AP management, ecosystem services Urban forests offer aesthetic values and critical services. -
Forests in Focus
FORESTSAMERICAN WINTER/SPRING 2019 Forests in Focus PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS See the inspiring photography that earned top honors in our annual Forests in Focus photo contest BE PART OF THE SOLUTION JOIN AMERICAN FORESTS With a membership gift of $25 or more, you’ll receive the following benefits: 8 Satisfaction and Pride. Know your gift will be used wisely to restore America’s forests to health and resiliency. 8 Annual Membership Card. Carry this with you to signify your commitment to American Forests. 8 Magazine Subscription. Read and share our award-winning, colorful and informative publication. 8 Merchandise Discounts. Shop with periodic members-only discounts from our Corporate Partners. 8 Invitations to Special Events. Be the first to be notified about special events and volunteer opportunities in your area. 8 Insider Updates on Our Work. Stay informed about the impact your gifts are having on our critical work and progress. ■ Make a difference for forests and the world. Become a member today! www.americanforests.org/ways-to-give/membership AF_FP Ads.indd 1 11/8/18 10:38 AM VOL. 125, NO. 1 CONTENTS WINTER/SPRING 2019 Departments 2 Offshoots A word from our President & CEO 4 Treelines PROJECT SHOWCASES: Read about our work planting trees for healing and nurturing in a Boston community and restoring fire-stricken land in the San Bernardino Mountains. FROM THE FIELD: From Texas to Baltimore, follow what we’ve been 32 up to in the field. PROFILES: Learn about our partnership with Alliance Data and how two of our supporters are returning to their roots by being involved in conservation. -
Weston Tree Inventory
Tree Inventory Summary Report All Phases Town of Weston, Massachusetts October 2019 Prepared for: Town of Weston Department of Public Works Bypass, 190 Boston Post Road Weston, Massachusetts 02493 Prepared by: Davey Resource Group, Inc. 1500 North Mantua Street Kent, Ohio 44240 800-828-8312 Executive Summary The Town of Weston commissioned an inventory and assessment of trees located within public street rights-of-way (ROW). The inventory was conducted in three phases over three years. Understanding an urban forest’s structure, function, and value can promote management decisions that will improve public health and environmental quality. Davey Resource Group, Inc. “DRG” collected and analyzed the inventory data to understand species composition and tree condition, and to generate maintenance recommendations. This report will discuss the health and benefits of the inventoried street tree population along public roads throughout the Town of Weston. Key Findings A total of 15,437 trees were inventoried. The most common species are: Pinus strobus (white pine), 24%; Quercus rubra (red oak), 13%; Acer rubrum (red maple), 9%; Quercus velutina (black oak), 8%; and A. platanoides (Norway maple), 7%. The overall condition of the tree population is Fair. Risk Ratings include: 14,135 Low Risk trees; 1,210 Moderate Risk trees; and 92 High Risk trees. Primary Maintenance recommendations include: 13,625 Tree Cleans and 1,812 Removals. Davey Resource Group i October 2019 Table of Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... -
OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP 2019 Year in Review AMERICAN FORESTS’ IMPACT
OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP 2019 Year In Review AMERICAN FORESTS’ IMPACT WILDLIFE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND CASCADES WATER PEOPLE SIERRA NEVADAS AND SOUTHERN CA RANGES LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY YOUR VISION OUR MISSION OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP here at American Forests. Throughout our 144-year history, we have tackled global challenges with small actions done again and again: like planting trees. Best of all, planting trees and caring for forests has a role for everyone, from cities to rural communities. With your help, American NORTHERNForests is empowering people to take action and make our GREAT LAKEScountry stronger together. LAKE But our work today is more urgent and complexCHAMPLAIN than ever. Thanks to our partners and donors, we’re tappingBASIN our deep PEOPLE roots in science, forestry, policy and CLIMATEmovement leadership to overcome forest threats like drought and fire made worse by climate change. When we take care of our forests, they take care of us by providing water, wildlife, jobs and even the ability to slow climate change through natural carbon capture. But our challenges go beyond the environment. America has APPALACHIANgrowing inequities across lines of race and income that include ANDurban OZARKS tree cover. I am proud that our new push for Tree Equity is building a movement to give every person the benefits of city trees for health, wealth and protection from climate change. With your help, we have stretched in new ways. We have published scientific breakthroughs on forest soil carbon and developed new ways to link underserved communities into urban forestrySOUTHERN careers. We are stepping up to plant more trees PIEDMONT and innovateAND climate-resilient PLAINS planting techniques with new field staff around the country. -
The History of Fire in the Southern United States
Special Section on Fire Human Ecology The History of Fire in the Southern United States Cynthia Fowler Wofford College Spartanburg, SC1 Evelyn Konopik USDA Forest Service Asheville, NC2 Abstract ern Appalachians, and Ozark-Ouachita Highlands. Using this holistic framework, we consider “both ends of the fire stick” Anthropogenic fires have been a key form of disturbance (Vayda 2005) examining elements of fire use by each cultur- in southern ecosystems for more than 10,000 years. Archae- al group that has inhabited the South and its effects on south- ological and ethnohistorical information reveal general pat- ern ecosystems. terns in fire use during the five major cultural periods in the South; these are Native American prehistory, early European Table 1. Major Periods of Human-Caused Fire Regimes in the settlement, industrialization, fire suppression, and fire man- South agement. Major shifts in cultural traditions are linked to sig- FIRE Native Early Industrial- Fire Fire nificant transitions in fire regimes. A holistic approach to fire REGIME American European ization Suppression Management ecology is necessary for illuminating the multiple, complex Prehistory Settlers links between the cultural history of the South and the evolu- DATES 12,500 BP 1500s AD 1800s to 1920s to 1940s/80s tion of southern ecosystems. The web of connections between to 1500s to1700s 1900s 1940s/1980s to Present history, society, politics, economy, and ecology are inherent AD AD to the phenomena of fire. TYPICAL Low Low Stand Federal Prescribed BURNS intensity intensity replacing lands fires of brush fires brush fires fires set protected mixed Keywords: fire, culture, Native Americans, US South mainly for by loggers from fire intensity and agricultural and farmers frequency A Holistic View of People and Fire purposes Written documents that address fire ecology in the South include more than 380 years of publications, ranging from The Native American Contribution to Prehistoric Fire Smith’s 1625 monograph to Kennard’s 2005 essay. -
Urban Forestry Manual
URBAN FORESTRY MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction _______________________________________________________________________________________ 2 Purpose _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Objectives __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Definition of Terms _____________________________________________________________________________ 3-6 Standard of Care __________________________________________________________________________________ 6 Tree Care Management ________________________________________________________________________ 6-7 Tree Care Procedures _________________________________________________________________________ 8-17 Arboretum & Botanic Garden _______________________________________________________________ 17-18 Utility, Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Repairs ________________________________________________ 19-20 New Development and Construction ______________________________________________________ 21-25 Tools and Staffing ___________________________________________________________________________ 26-27 Jurisdiction/Governing Authority __________________________________________________________ 27-29 Tree Donation Program _____________________________________________________________________ 30-31 Glendora’s Protected Trees _____________________________________________________________________ 32 List of Approved and Undesirable Trees ___________________________________________________ 33-35 FAQ’s __________________________________________________________________________________________ -
Partners in Progress
Partners in Progress CALIFORNIA Final Report 1 Table of Contents California ReLeaf....................................................3 Selection by the US Forest Service......................4 ARRA Sub-Grant Recipients California Urban Forests Council..........................5 The City of Chico....................................................6 Community Services & Employment Training.....7 Daly City.................................................................8 Friends of Oakland Parks......................................9 Friends of the Urban Forest................................10 Goleta Valley Beautiful.........................................11 Hollywood/LA Beautification Team....................12 Koreatown Youth and Community Center.........13 The Los Angeles Conservation Corps.................14 North East Tree....................................................15 Our City Forest.....................................................16 The City of Porterville..........................................17 Sacramento Tree Foundation..............................18 Tree Fresno...........................................................19 The Urban Corps of San Diego County...............20 Urban Releaf.........................................................21 2 alifornia ReLeaf works statewide to promote Calliances among community-based groups, individuals, industry, and government agencies, encouraging each to contribute to the livability of our cities and the protection of our environment by planting and caring for trees. California -
Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Human Activities
4 Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Human Activities CO-CHAIRS D. Kupfer (Germany, Fed. Rep.) R. Karimanzira (Zimbabwe) CONTENTS AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND OTHER HUMAN ACTIVITIES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 77 4.1 INTRODUCTION 85 4.2 FOREST RESPONSE STRATEGIES 87 4.2.1 Special Issues on Boreal Forests 90 4.2.1.1 Introduction 90 4.2.1.2 Carbon Sinks of the Boreal Region 90 4.2.1.3 Consequences of Climate Change on Emissions 90 4.2.1.4 Possibilities to Refix Carbon Dioxide: A Case Study 91 4.2.1.5 Measures and Policy Options 91 4.2.1.5.1 Forest Protection 92 4.2.1.5.2 Forest Management 92 4.2.1.5.3 End Uses and Biomass Conversion 92 4.2.2 Special Issues on Temperate Forests 92 4.2.2.1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Temperate Forests 92 4.2.2.2 Global Warming: Impacts and Effects on Temperate Forests 93 4.2.2.3 Costs of Forestry Countermeasures 93 4.2.2.4 Constraints on Forestry Measures 94 4.2.3 Special Issues on Tropical Forests 94 4.2.3.1 Introduction to Tropical Deforestation and Climatic Concerns 94 4.2.3.2 Forest Carbon Pools and Forest Cover Statistics 94 4.2.3.3 Estimates of Current Rates of Forest Loss 94 4.2.3.4 Patterns and Causes of Deforestation 95 4.2.3.5 Estimates of Current Emissions from Forest Land Clearing 97 4.2.3.6 Estimates of Future Forest Loss and Emissions 98 4.2.3.7 Strategies to Reduce Emissions: Types of Response Options 99 4.2.3.8 Policy Options 103 75 76 IPCC RESPONSE STRATEGIES WORKING GROUP REPORTS 4.3 AGRICULTURE RESPONSE STRATEGIES 105 4.3.1 Summary of Agricultural Emissions of Greenhouse Gases 105 4.3.2 Measures and -
1 Environmental Implications of the American Forest and Paper Association's (AF&PA) Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Pr
Environmental Implications of the American Forest and Paper Association's (AF&PA) Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Program in Comparison with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Program for Forest Certification. June 1999 Sustainable Forest Initiative While the American Forest and Paper Association's (AF&PA) Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program may represent a start to make necessary improvements in US forest products industry practices, no leading environmental advocacy organizations currently endorse the program or any environmental claims arising from it. Despite SFI's tagline ("Showing the World a Higher Standard"), leading environmental groups are not convinced that the program is, in fact, showing the world an appreciably higher standard at this time. Exemplifying concern about environmental performance under SFI is the participation of The Pacific Lumber Company (Maxxam). Pacific Lumber formally complied with the requirements for SFI according to AF&PA’s annual progress reports for SFI in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Nonetheless, during this period, Pacific Lumber became well-known for its role in the Headwaters controversy over clearcutting ancient redwoods, and it had 128 citations and approximately 300 violations of the California state forest practices rules since 1995 which resulted in the suspension of its license to practice forestry in the state of California from November 1998 through early 1999. Obviously, the overall rigor of the SFI is called into serious question by such performance. By association, the performance of other AF&PA members is also called into question. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative has been developed and is administered by the American Forest and Paper Association for its members (approximately 200 companies and trade associations representing 56 million forested acres and 90% of US industrial timberlands). -
Restoring Forests for the Future: Profiles in Climate-Smart Restoration on America's National Forests
RESTORING FORESTS for the FUTURE Profiles in climate-smart restoration on America’s National Forests Left: Melissa Jenkins Front cover: Kent Mason Back cover: MaxForster. Contents Introduction. ............................................................................................................................................2 This publication was prepared as part of a collaboration among American Forests, National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy and was funded through a generous grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Principles for Climate-Smart Forest Restoration. .................................................................3 Thank you to the many partners and contributors who provided content, photos, quotes and Look to the future while learning from the past. more. Special thanks to Nick Miner and Eric Sprague (American Forests); Lauren Anderson, Northern Rockies: Reviving ancient traditions of fire to restore the land .....................4 Jessica Arriens, Sarah Bates, Patty Glick and Bruce A. Stein (National Wildlife Federation); and Eric Bontrager, Kimberly R. Hall, Karen Lee and Christopher Topik (The Nature Conservancy). Embrace functional restoration of ecological integrity. Southern Rockies: Assisted regeneration in fire-scarred landscapes ............................ 8 Editor: Rebecca Turner Montana: Strategic watershed restoration for climate resilience ................................... 12 Managing Editor: Ashlan Bonnell Writer: Carol Denny Restore and manage forests in the context of -
Assessing Urban Forest Effects and Values, San Francisco’S Urban Forest
United States Department of Agriculture Assessing Urban Forest Forest Service Eff ects and Values Northern Research Station Resource Bulletin NRS-8 San Francisco’s Urban Forest Abstract An analysis of trees in San Francisco, CA reveals that this city has about 669,000 trees with canopies that cover 11.9 percent of the area. The most common tree species are blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress. The urban forest currently stores about 196,000 tons of carbon valued at $3.6 million. In addition, these trees remove about 5,200 tons of carbon per year ($95,000 per year) and about 260 tons of air pollution per year ($1.3 million per year). The structural, or compensatory, value is estimated at $1.7 billion. Information on the structure and functions of the urban forest can be used to improve and augment support for urban forest management programs and to integrate urban forests within plans to improve environmental quality in the San Francisco area. The Authors DAVID J. NOWAK is a research forester and project leader, ROBERT E. HOEHN III, is a biological sciences technician, DANIEL E. CRANE is an information technology specialist, JACK C. STEVENS is a forester, and JEFFREY T. WALTON is a research forester with the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station at Syracuse, NY. Acknowledgments We are grateful for the contributions of Alexis Harte, UFORE project coordinator; Leslie Bandy, survey coordination; Karin Avila, Sarah Cobey, Maria D’agostino, Rachel Freund, Meleana Judd, Lorraine Maldague, Jennifer Mar, and Kelly Palomera, surveyors. Published by: For additional copies: USDA FOREST SERVICE USDA Forest Service 11 CAMPUS BLVD SUITE 200 Publications Distribution NEWTOWN SQUARE PA 19073-3294 359 Main Road Delaware, OH 43015-8640 February 2007 Fax: (740)368-0152 Visit our homepage at: http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us Executive Summary Trees in cities can contribute signifi cantly to human health and environmental quality. -
The Emergence of the Wildland- Urban Interface Concept
The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) is a common story line in many of today’s wildfire events. The WUI concept was formally introduced in 1987 Forest Service Research budget documents but was not acknowledged as a major component for federal fire management until the 2000 National Fire Plan. Although the 1987 introduction was meant to increase research focus on demographic factors influencing fire and other resource management, its California roots can be traced to post-World War II civil defense concerns about fire and water. The author offers a personal perspective on why the WUI concept was promoted by the Forest Service at an inauspicious time for fire research. The Emergence of the Wildland- Urban Interface Concept n January 27, 1987, President Ronald Reagan gave his sixth State of the Union address. Reagan’s speech was not well received.1 Forest Service O Research—and Fire Research in particular—had suffered through six years of the Republican president’s budget request reductions. Although these proposed reductions were partially offset by targeted (i.e., “ear- aged 51,805 fires and 2,021,846 acres burned and supported the mark”) restorations by the Democrat-controlled Congress, Forest argument that the “fire problem was solved.”2 This assumption Service research funding continually eroded. Fire activity in the would be reinforced by fire statistics that showed no discernible previous four years of the Reagan presidency (1983–86) had aver- upward trend. With the exception of the Yellowstone Fires in BY WILLIAM T. SOMMERS 12 FOREST HISTORY TODAY | FALL 2008 F. E. DUNHAM, U.S.