Urban Forestry Management Plan
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[URBAN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN] A plan to sustainably, holistically and efficiently manage Bozeman’s urban forest to realize the full expanse of benefits urban trees can provide 1 Acknowledgements: Mitch Overton: Director of Parks and Recreation Bozeman Bozeman Tree Advisory Board The Bozeman Citizenry Jamie Kirby: Montana DNRC This document was funded by an urban forestry program development grant from the State of Montana - Department of Natural Resources & Conservation – Urban & Community Forestry Program Gallatin Tree Care, February 2016 Bozeman Urban Forestry Management Plan 2 Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 History and People .................................................................................................................................... 6 Process and Plan Development ................................................................................................................. 7 Climate and Environment ......................................................................................................................... 7 Population Dynamics ................................................................................................................................ 8 Value of Urban Forest ............................................................................................................................... 8 Organization of Plan ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Goals of the Plan ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Bozeman’s Relationship with the Urban Forest.......................................................................................... 11 Why Urban Trees ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Public Health ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Social Benefits ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Environmental Energy Savings ............................................................................................................... 14 Air Quality .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Economic Value ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Bozeman’s Urban Forest ............................................................................................................................. 16 Tree Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................................... 17 Condition ................................................................................................................................................ 18 Species Diversity .................................................................................................................................... 18 Age Diversity .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Age and Size Diversity Analyzed ........................................................................................................... 20 Increasing the Canopy Cover in Bozeman .......................................................................................... 21 Tree Infrastructure Recommendations and Expected Outcomes ............................................................ 22 Management of Urban Forest ..................................................................................................................... 23 Current Management .............................................................................................................................. 23 Analysis of Current Management ........................................................................................................... 25 Preferred Management ............................................................................................................................ 27 Superintendent of the Forestry Department Position .......................................................................... 27 Gallatin Tree Care, February 2016 Bozeman Urban Forestry Management Plan 3 Maintaining Public Trees .................................................................................................................... 28 Contracting Work ................................................................................................................................ 34 Maintaining Private Trees ................................................................................................................... 35 Bozeman Public Schools ..................................................................................................................... 36 Budget/Funding....................................................................................................................................... 36 Risk Management ................................................................................................................................... 38 Tree Characteristics Associated with Tree Failure ............................................................................. 39 Risk Management Plan ....................................................................................................................... 40 Management of Urban Forest Recommendations ................................................................................... 42 Community Engagement ............................................................................................................................ 43 Forestry Advisory Board ......................................................................................................................... 44 Health and Welfare Benefits ............................................................................................................... 45 Community Planning .......................................................................................................................... 46 Planting Trees ..................................................................................................................................... 46 Education ............................................................................................................................................ 48 Coordination ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Assistance ........................................................................................................................................... 48 Bozeman School District (Planting Partnership) ................................................................................ 49 Partnering with Montana State University .......................................................................................... 49 Community Engagement Recommendations .......................................................................................... 50 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 51 Appendix 1. Job Description for Urban Forester/Superintendent of Forestry ........................................... 52 Appendix 2. Planting Trees in Paved Areas .............................................................................................. 53 Appendix 3. SWOT Analysis .................................................................................................................... 54 References ................................................................................................................................................... 55 Gallatin Tree Care, February 2016 Bozeman Urban Forestry Management Plan 4 Abstract The Bozeman Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) aims to sustainably, holistically, and efficiently manage Bozeman’s urban forest and to illustrate the full expanse of benefits urban trees can provide. This plan focuses on finding the most cost-effective ways to accomplish these goals in Bozeman. The City of Bozeman and the public have given the urban forest in Bozeman more attention and priority in recent years, resulting in more effective management and an increase in the maintenance of public trees. This plan considers maintaining public trees an essential element of successful urban forestry management, but it is only one component. This plan emphasizes strategies to maximize the benefits the urban