2008 State of the Trees Report

2008 State of the Trees Report Department of Public Works Division of Urban Forestry 2008 — A Forester’s Perspective 2008 was another interesting year. It was a time of both beginning and endings. The new Take Root Initiative was launched on Arbor Day, March 7. And the Climate Action Plan in which trees and ecosystems are identified for action was finally completed and accepted in December. But this was also a year for continuations. In the months of April and November we held wood lotteries in which wood, otherwise destined for the tub grinder, was salvaged and given to wood carvers and turners. In March we held our Arbor Day ceremony at Battle Academy and officially launched the Take Root Initiative. In April we held our Fourth Annual Tree Commission Awards Gene Hyde is the editor Banquet. In Octoof this publication. ber I was elected as the next president of the Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) which is the professional organization for city foresters across North America and the world. This is actually a three year commitment that includes a year as the President Elect, a year as the President, and a year as the Immediate Past President. This will involve a commitment of time, effort and energy and will be a real challenge but I think I’m up to the task. This year we were merged with the Emergency Department in City Wide Services and have now taken on a whole new plate of responsibilities on a 24 hour a day basis. Some of these new duties include picking up discarded tires, dead animals, tree limbs in the streets, and many other activities. We now have four ISA Certified Arborists on staff and believe that our level of professional competency is as strong as ever. Despite the hardships of tough economic times we believe that we can serve our customers in the same positive manner as in previous years. Inside this report: Tree Planting 2 Chris Muzyn soars like an 2 eagle Status of Service Requests Take Root takes off The Climate Action plan nears completion Staff Happenings 2 3 3 4 The STRATUM Analysis is available In April, 2008 the Davey Resource Group delivered the finished copy of the STRATUM report. STRATUM which stands for Street Tree Analysis For Urban Forest Managers was developed by the Davey Resource Group and the Forest Service as part of an overall suite of tools called “i-Tree”. The goal was to provide a comprehensive package of software programs to facilitate the inventory and assessment of urban forests and ecosystems in any city, large or small. Hyde and his staff collected data in 2007 and sent the data to Davey for analysis. The results indicated that there are approximately 204,000 street trees representing 102 distinct species for which the City is responsible. The street trees provide the community with substantial benefits. The trees provide $920,000 in energy savings, $310,000 in CO2 sequestration, $213,000 in value for the removal or avoidance of air pollution, $2.7 million for stormwater benefits, and $3.9 million for increased property values, aesthetics and less tangible improvements. The total net annual benefit is $7.9 million for an average net benefit of $38.75 per tree. The benefitcost ratio is $15.14 for every $1 spent in the Urban Forestry budget. Special Points of interest in 2008: • Chattanooga was a “Tree City ‘ for the 19th year. • Arbor Day was held at Battle Academy at which time the Take Root Initiative was launched. • The backlog of Service Requests is approximately 5. Tree Planting in 2006 A total of 18 species were planted by in-house and contract crews in 2007 as street trees. They are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. ‘Autumn Blaze’ Maple Princeton American Elm ‘Village Green’ Zelkova Yoshino Cherry Pin Oak Chinese Pistache ‘Tuskegee’ Crape Myrtle Red Maple Ginkgo 1 ea. 7 ea. 2 ea. 47 ea. 4 ea. 2 ea. 15 ea. 8 ea. 3 ea. 4 ea. 2 ea. 1 ea. 13. ‘Happidaze’ Sweetgum 14. Littleleaf Linden 15. ‘Hightower’ Willow Oak 16. Nuttall Oak 17. Redbud TOTAL 7 ea. 1 ea. 8 ea. 10 ea. 1 ea. 123 Leftover trees were planted at Woodmore Elementary School, Chattanooga Middle School, Calvin Donaldson Elementary, Howard High School and the Normal Park Museum Magnet School. Also trees were planted in several islands and medians in prominent places. These totaled 13 trees GRAND TOTAL 135 10. ‘Winter King’ Hawthorn 11. Tulip Poplar 12. ‘Spring Snow’ Crabapple Chris Muzyn becomes an Eagle On a cold and raw day in December, Chris Muzyn directed fellow members of Scout Troop # of Signal Mountain to plant three American Elm trees in Jefferson Park. The act of coordinating the plantings and carrying them out qualified Mr. Muzyn for the rank of Eagle Scout. But these were no ordinary elm trees. These are American Elm trees propagated by the Elm Research Institute From l to r. Chris Muzyn, of Keene, New Hampshire. Leonard Muzyn, Mayor LitDedicated to preserving the tlefield, Larry Means, historical heritage of this mighty tree, the Elm Research Southside Neighborhood board member. Institute (ERI) proclaims the American Elm to be an enduring symbol of freedom. Early in 1646 settlers in the Boston area made the first public shade tree planting in the New World. Under the canopy of one of these trees the “Sons of Liberty” met in 1766 to plan their resistance to the British Crown. In 1995, the ERI announced the Liberty Tree Memorial Program honoring the founding of the country, establishing focal points for patriotic inspiration in communities, and promoting elm restoration. Tree Commission member Jon Nessle was on hand to assist. Status of Service Requests Responding to service requests is the single most time consuming and expensive aspect of our urban forestry operations. These requests pour in from a variety of sources including the 311 center, Fire and Police Departments, the Hamilton County Education Department, sister divisions within City Wide Services, and other City departments. In 2005 we switched software programs for tracking work orders. The Tree Manager software program was replaced by City Works which can be used throughout the entire Department of Public Works. In 2007 the 311 Call center records indicate that we received 907 requests as shown below and that we solved all except fourteen. Four years of information are provided for comparison. 2008 General Tree Problems Fallen Trees and Branches Tree Removal Tree Trimming Totals 2 663 190 313 1,208 2007 42 436 168 261 907 2006 34 499 178 361 1,072 2005 31 325 170 364 890 Page 2 The Take Root Initiative This idea was begun when the owners of Chattz on Market Street petitioned the City in 2007 to plant more trees downtown. At that time a Leadership Chattanooga group was looking to do a “green” project. Leadership Chattanooga partnered with a design class from UTC to brand and market the program and “Take Root” was born. The main goal is to increase the tree canopy in the expanded Central Business District from 7% to 15%. Secondary goals are to reduce the City’s carbon footprint, reduce the heat island effect and to provide for a more livable city. Over thirty species and cultivars have been selected for the 1,400 planting sites along city streets. Several hundred more have been chosen for the islands along Riverfront Parkway. Some of the species are native, some are introduced species. They do represent a blend of large and small trees with some blooming in the spring, some in the summer. Most have colorful fall foliage. The total cost for the project is estimated at around $1 million dollars. Many donors have stepped forward and contributed including the Benwood foundation which awarded a grant of $100,000 dollars to help kick off the program. Then in August the program was given another boost when Preston Roberts was hired as the program coordinator. Enough donations were raised to fund the purchase and planting of nearly 600 trees in the first year. This year’s planting began in November and is expected to be completed in FebThe logo was designed by a class from UTC. ruary, 2009. The challenge now is to finish the details for a marketing strategy and to raise funds for the continuation of the program. Additional information and donor opportunities can be found at www.TakeRootChattanooga.com. The Climate Action Plan nears completion Both Tree Commission Chair June Coppinger and Gene Hyde served on the 14-person Chattanooga Green Committee. This letter from the Committee Chair, Gene Hyde, to Mayor Littlefield is a good summation of the work done in the year 2008. “In November, 2007 you appointed a committee of citizens to study the opportunities and challenges following the signing of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. This group of individuals represents a broad range of interests in the public, private, and university sectors. Both the fourteen-member strong Chattanooga Green Committee and the professional support staff took the mission seriously and have worked diligently to produce The new Chattanooga Green Commita document that tee Logo represents the opinions of the committee and, to a larger extent, the will of the community. All involved are to be commended. The forty-seven action items presented in the final report were derived from the visioning process, discussions with subject matter experts, and the thoughts of the committee. As is the case with such a large and diverse group of people, there was not total unanimity on all forty-seven items. However I can say with confidence that the all of the committee approves of the majority of the items. This Climate Action Plan can be considered a first phase. There are still some details and incentives yet to be fleshed out and developed. Also, we must begin the process of educating our citizens on the importance of this initiative and what role individuals, organizations, and businesses can, and must, play if this movement is to be successful. There is obviously much work to be done. The focus now shifts to implementation. The Chattanooga Green Committee is prepared to continue as a willing partner and guide as we now move forward. I believe that we can begin the work of putting your priority actions into place while continuing to serve as a regional role model for sustainability. Thank you for allowing us to provide a service to you and to our community on such a far-reaching and transformational project.” One of the objectives adopted in the plan worthy of note to tree lovers is that listed in Section L. Expand and maintain healthy Urban and Regional Forests. This report will be on-line in mid-January, 2009 and can be viewed at: http://www.chattanooga.gov/ ChattanoogaGreen_ChattanoogaGreen.htm Page 3 Chattanooga, Department of Public Works Our Business Address: Department of Public Works 900 East 11th Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 Phone: 423-757-7283 Fax: 423-757-5350 Email: hyde_gene@mail.chattanooga.gov We’re on the Web! WWW. Chattanooga.gov/urbanforestry Chattanooga Tree Commission Members: 1. Paul Belk 2. June Coppinger, Chair 3. David Gardner 4. Adele Glascock 5. Lisa Lemza 6. Karna Levitt 7. Jon Nessle Administrator of Public Works: Steve Leach Director of City-Wide Services: Jim Templeton The Urban Forestry program functions as a separate operation within City Wide Services. Its mission is to provide the City with a safe and attractive urban forest, and to educate citizens about the benefits and proper care of trees. It is guided by the seven-member Tree Advisory Commission as appointed by the Mayor. The Forestry Division draws on other elements within both Public Works and Parks and Recreation to assist with tree planting, solving service requests, and other missions. The program’s main operating budget for FY ‘07-’08 of $530,517 is derived strictly from annual appropriations. This report is prepared annually at the request of the Tree Advisory Commission. Staff Happenings During 2008 the Urban Forestry operations were expanded to include the Emergency Department. Listed below are the current Employees in their assigned sections: Urban Forestry: Eddie Davis, Equipment Operator Jim Willson, Tree Trimmer Wayne Pinkerton, Tree Trimmer, Mike Richie, Crew Supervisor Jerry Mauldin, Forestry Supervisor Gene Hyde, City Forester Rogers Moore, Crew Worker 1 Carlton Cameron, Crew Worker 1 Dex Joshen, Equipment Operator 1 Van Johnson, Equipment Operator 2 David Lanford, Equipment Operator 2 Wesley Barnes, Equipment Operator 3 Terry McCullough, Equipment Operator 3 Tracy Murray, Equipment Operator 3 Sherman Sales, Equipment Operator 3 Robert Shipley, Equipment Operator 3 Leroy Fitch, Equipment Operator 3 Emergency: The Emergency Department has the responsibility for the removal of chemical spills along the roadway as well as dead animals, litter and tires. They also are on call at night for fallen trees, pothole repair, and other mishaps that present a hazard to travelers along City streets.