SUSTAINABLE URBAN FORESTRY Improving Pleasant Hill’s Urban Trees
What is Urban Forestry? Urban Forestry is defined by The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council as “The art, science, and technology of managing trees, forests and natural systems in and around cities, suburbs, and towns for the health and well-being of all people.” Urban forests consist of communities’ vegetation and green space, providing benefits vital to enriching the quality of life.
How do we sustain the Urban Forest? Sustaining the Urban Forest involves a well planned and programmatic approach to the protection, development, and maintenance of a communities green infrastructure. Few of us have a clear understanding of the benefits of urban trees. Since the Dutch elm disease in the 60’s and 70’s, professionals have been researching and practitioners have learned about the structures and functions of trees. They provide a critical role to the environment, as well as economic and social benefits to urban area.
What are the benefits of urban trees? Urban trees support reduction in stormwater treatment, prolong the life of pavement, encourage more visitors, improve mental and physical health, improve safe driving habits, and is even known to reduce crime. The Iowa DNR in partnership with the USDA and The Iowa Urban Tree Council has assembled a flier called “Community Benefits from Public Trees in Iowa” highlighting how properly cared for trees provide a wide variety of benefits to people, communities and the economy. Our urban trees make Iowa communities stronger and healthier.
Where is Pleasant Hill’s Urban Forest? The urban forest is located throughout the city. Nearly 21 percent of Pleasant Hill’s land is covered by trees. The trees in your own yard, neighborhood, or commercial businesses contribute to this number in addition to our city parks, natural areas, and rural areas. Trees are typically part of the urban landscape prior to development. It’s likely that most of us have done little to contribute to a mature stand of trees or heritage woodlands. It can take a person’s lifetime to see the results of healthy mature trees in a community.
What threatens the Urban Forest? There are a number of threats to our Urban Forest. Some trees are part of a native habitat established several 100 years ago. As these areas became more densely settled by people a number of factors threaten the health and sustainability of the exiting natural areas and historic trees.
Noticeable quality tree habitats are becoming a rare site in our urban setting. Most of the remaining native woodlands have survived primarily because they are in areas that are not as economically beneficial for developing as flat farmland, roads or building sites. This is most likely due to the topography (steep slopes) making it difficult to operate equipment or more costly to install new roadways, structures and utilities.
Trees can be a liability, if not maintained. The first 10 to 15 years of a trees life is the most critical for care and management. Like humans, proper care and training during the early stages of development play a significant role in preparing trees to handle the challenges of the later years in life. Train them right when they are young and they will help contribute with fewer expenses when they are older. How do we sustain the Urban Forests? Remnant native tree stands such as our oak savannahs are becoming rarer within our developing cities. Wooded lots are highly sought after. In the development process some trees are lost in order to create space for homes and roadways. With sound development practices we can learn to minimize the negative impacts on these valued resources by properly protecting the existing trees and re-planting new, diverse species where others have been removed. Caring properly for heritage trees can greatly extend their life. Most natural stands require little inputs, provided their critical resources are not altered. The life blood of all trees is sustainable by the trees root system. Altering the soil, hydrology (water) or plant/organic life beneath a mature oak tree will affects the life of that tree.
How do we sustain privately owned trees? Anyone can appreciate an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space that is functional, maintainable, environmentally sound and cost effective. Blending nature into the built environment, such as roadways, sidewalks, homes, yards and gardens, is quite different from the balance of undisturbed, healthy, fully- intact woodland habitats. When plants are removed or soils are disturbed, when water flow is changed, or new species are introduced nature loses sustainability. Any one of these conditions may weaken or fail the natural balance. Newly introduced plants may be invasive and unsightly. Soil conditions may be unable to support the type of plants you desire. There are a variety of biological occurrences that can confuse the average person. Fortunately we have access to a tremendous number of resources to help owners discover best management practices for sustainable landscapes. The University of Minnesota Extension is a great example for those of us in the Midwest.
All of us have a role in sustaining our City’s urban forest. Land owners and developers can have a tremendous impact on sustaining the urban forest by assessing healthy woodland habitats on their properties and implementing practices for protection and preservation, and introducing a diverse species of new plantings for the generations to come.
How does the City sustain publicly owned trees? Parks & Recreation staff and volunteers work to maintain existing trees, remove dead or unhealthy trees and plant replacement trees focusing on high species diversity and age. The City has a tree inventory to determine the number and condition of our urban tree species. Parks & Recreation also has an Urban Forestry Management Plan to support protection and preservation policies and practices. The city has a certified Arborist on staff to assist the community with establishing best management practice, urban forestry standards and related programs.
Sustainable Urban Forestry Programs Parks & Recreation works to foster sustainable urban forestry within the community through public education and participation. Community involvement is an important component of the work being done. Volunteers can assist in many aspects of our sustainable urban forestry program. Staff provides tree care programs and workshops working with businesses, individuals, school groups, and community organizations doing hands-on tree planting and maintenance events as well as natural area restoration projects.
How can you help? The most effective action for sustaining our urban forest is to plant and care for trees. Each spring and fall the Iowa DNR and MidAmerican Energy sponsor the “Plant Some Shade” tree distribution program, available to residents with a diverse selection of high quality nursery trees at a reduced price. Click here to learn more.
Maximizing your work requires proper tree selection, placement, watering, mulching, and pruning practices. We have a few workshops to teach best practices for tree care. 1. Each spring and fall, prior to receiving your MidAmerican Sponsored tree, Parks & Recreation will host a free tree planting clinic at the Pleasant Hill Library. 2. Each winter we will host a free young tree pruning workshop. Winter is the best time to prune trees while they are dormant. It’s usually best to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed. Check our website for upcoming events. 3. Trees are “nature’s roof”. There is no greater place than the woodlands to discover the rich diversity of wildlife. Activate your senses in the woodlands, where most of creation tells her story. Go hiking and explore. Find a Path. Look, touch, listen and smell. Place yourself among Iowa’s most amazing natural resource. Spend time under nature’s roof and enjoy the many benefits of trees.