Urban Forestry Management Plan City of Ypsilanti, Michigan
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Urban Forestry Management Plan City of Ypsilanti, Michigan February, 2012 Urban Forestry Management Plan City of Ypsilanti, Michigan February, 2012 Prepared for: City of Ypsilanti Teresa Gillotti 1 South Huron Street Ypsilanti, Michigan 54467 734-483-9646 Prepared by: Davey Resource Group A Division of The Davey Tree Expert Company 1500 North Mantua Street Kent, Ohio 44240 800-828-8312 Notice of Disclaimer Due to the nature of tree inventories, Davey assumes no responsibility as to the quality of the Green Team inventory data. Every effort was made to ensure it is of high quality and reliable through periodic quality control checks. Inventory data provided by Davey are based on visual recording at the time of inspection. Visual records do not include individual testing or analysis and do not include aerial or subterranean inspection. Davey is not responsible for discovery or identification of hidden or otherwise non-observable hazards. Records may not remain accurate after inspection due to variable deterioration of inventoried material. Davey provides no warranty with respect to the fitness of the urban forest for any use or purpose whatsoever. Clients may choose to accept or disregard Davey’s recommendations, or to seek additional advice. Important: know and understand that visual inspection is confined to the designated subject tree(s), and that the inspections for this project are performed in the interest of facts of the tree(s) without prejudice to or for any other service or any interested party. Acknowledgement This project and publication was conducted for the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan and materials were prepared using Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds received through the USDA Forest Service. This project could not have been nearly as successful without Teresa Gillotti of the City of Ypsilanti and Therese Taylor of the Michigan Works! Older Youth Program. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Urban Forestry Management Plan i February, 2012 City of Ypsilanti, Michigan Davey Resource Group Table of Contents Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... vi Resource Structure ................................................................................................................................ vi Recommendations ................................................................................................................................. vii Resource Management ....................................................................................... vii Tree Canopy ................................................................................................... viii City Nursery .................................................................................................... viii Administrative Support ........................................................................................ viii Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of Purpose ............................................................................................................................. 2 Goals ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 Implementation ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1: City of Ypsilanti’s Tree Population .............................................................................................. 3 Public Tree Totals ................................................................................................................................... 4 Species Richness and Distribution ......................................................................................................... 5 Relative Age Distribution ........................................................................................................................ 6 General Health and Condition ................................................................................................................ 7 Tree Maintenance Recommendations ................................................................................................... 8 Observations ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Urban Forest Management Program ........................................................................................ 12 Urban Forest Management Program and Budget ................................................................................ 12 Priority Tree Maintenance Recommendations ..................................................................................... 15 Cyclical Pruning Programs ................................................................................................................... 16 Large Tree Routine Pruning ................................................................................. 17 Small Tree Routine Pruning ................................................................................. 17 Training Pruning Program .................................................................................... 19 Useful Life ...................................................................................................... 20 Best Management Practices for Maturing Trees .................................................................................. 20 Tree Crew Training ............................................................................................ 20 Insect and Disease Control .................................................................................. 21 Fertilization ..................................................................................................... 22 Irrigation ......................................................................................................... 22 Cabling and Bracing .......................................................................................... 22 Tree Planting Program ......................................................................................................................... 22 Full Stocking Potential ........................................................................................ 23 Street Tree Spacing Guidelines ............................................................................. 24 Best Management Practices for Tree Planting ..................................................................................... 25 Tree Species ................................................................................................... 25 Tree Purchasing ............................................................................................... 27 Tree Planting Process ........................................................................................ 27 Tree Mulching .................................................................................................. 27 Tree Establishment ............................................................................................ 28 Recommendations for Updating the Inventory ..................................................................................... 28 Urban Forestry Management Plan ii February, 2012 City of Ypsilanti, Michigan Davey Resource Group Recommendations for Evaluating Work Progress ................................................................................ 29 Chapter 3: Tree Canopy Assessment ......................................................................................................... 30 Land Cover Results .............................................................................................................................. 31 Canopy Goals ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Possible Tree Canopy .......................................................................................................................... 33 Tree Canopy Distribution by Zone ........................................................................................................ 34 Tree Canopy in Parks and Public Spaces ............................................................................................ 35 Chapter 4: City Tree Nursery ...................................................................................................................... 39 Nursery Diversity .................................................................................................................................. 39 Nursery Operation ...............................................................................................................................