T ree In ven to ry Management Plan Tow n of Wake Forest, North Carolin a April, 2004 Tree Inventory Management Plan Town of Wake Forest, North Carolina April, 2004 Prepared for: Planning Department 221 South Brooks Street Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587 919-554-6143 Prepared by: Davey Resource Group 1500 North Mantua Street P.O. Box 5193 Kent, Ohio 44240 1-800-828-8312 Notice of Disclaimer Inventory data provided by Davey Resource Group 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 Resource Group 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 Resource Group provides no warranty with respect to the fitness of the urban forest for any use or purpose whatsoever. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary........................................................................................................................iv The Wake Forest Street Tree Population.........................................................................................v Urban Forestry Management Recommendations............................................................... vi Introduction......................................................................................................................................1 Importance of the Urban Forest ...........................................................................................1 Statement of Purpose ...........................................................................................................2 Scope....................................................................................................................................2 Goals ....................................................................................................................................2 Evaluating and Updating This Plan .....................................................................................3 Chapter One: Methodology .............................................................................................................4 Summary ..............................................................................................................................4 Definition .............................................................................................................................4 Potential Planting Sites ........................................................................................................4 Data Collection ....................................................................................................................4 Tree Location.......................................................................................................................5 Street Tree Location Methodology......................................................................................5 Tree Genus and Species Identification ................................................................................7 Tree Diameter ......................................................................................................................8 Tree Trunks..........................................................................................................................8 Tree Condition .....................................................................................................................8 Tree Maintenance Requirements .........................................................................................9 Tree Removal Requirements................................................................................................9 Priority 1 Removal.........................................................................................................9 Priority 2 Removal.........................................................................................................9 Priority 3 Removal.......................................................................................................10 Tree Pruning Requirements ...............................................................................................10 Safety Pruning Recommendations...............................................................................10 Cyclical Pruning Recommendations............................................................................10 Further Inspection Required ..............................................................................................11 Utilities...............................................................................................................................11 Tree Location Type............................................................................................................11 Clearance Requirements ....................................................................................................12 Observations ......................................................................................................................12 Hardscape Damage ............................................................................................................12 Growing Space Type..........................................................................................................12 Growing Space Size...........................................................................................................12 Additional Comments (Field Notes)..................................................................................12 Chapter Two: The Town of Wake Forest’s Tree Population ........................................................13 Summary ............................................................................................................................13 Tree Population Characteristics.........................................................................................13 Species Composition and Diversity...................................................................................14 Size Class Distribution.......................................................................................................15 General Health and Condition ...........................................................................................16 Tree Maintenance Recommendations................................................................................19 Tree Removals .............................................................................................................20 Davey Resource Group i Wake Forest Tree Inventory Management Plan April, 2004 Priority Pruning............................................................................................................20 Priority Pruning............................................................................................................21 Routine Pruning ...........................................................................................................21 Training Pruning..........................................................................................................22 Other Data Fields...........................................................................................................................22 Further Inspection Required ..............................................................................................22 Utilities...............................................................................................................................22 Tree Location Type............................................................................................................22 Tree Trunks........................................................................................................................23 Clearance Requirements ....................................................................................................23 Observations ......................................................................................................................23 Hardscape Damage ............................................................................................................23 Growing Space Type..........................................................................................................23 Vacant Planting Sites.........................................................................................................23 Tree Inventory Concerns ...................................................................................................24 Chapter Three: Five-Year Urban Forest Management Program ..................................................26 Summary ............................................................................................................................26 Management Recommendations for Street Trees........................................................26 Priority Tree Maintenance Recommendations ..................................................................27 Useful Life ...................................................................................................................27 Priority Tree Maintenance Summary...........................................................................28 Routine Pruning Program ..................................................................................................29 Small Growth Habit Trees ...........................................................................................29