Universal issues in Universal issues in small town urban small town urban

forestsforests

Street TreesStreet Trees

The average life of a street tree in a municipality is 7 years.

Lack of Lack of AftercareAftercareThe lack of aftercare

for recently transplanted trees

leads to unnecessary tree losses and costs

incurred by the municipality and its

residents.

Canopy Canopy Cover Cover

Canopy cover, vital for shade, water infiltration and

improving the lifespan of asphalt is lost due to preventable tree

failures.

Hazard Hazard TreesTrees

Without a tree inventory or risk assessment,

hazard trees go unrecognized until they

fail.

Hazard Hazard TreesTrees

Hazard trees exist with the potential to

injure people and property.

PreventabPreventable Tree le Tree DeathsDeaths

Girdling roots have the potential to kill trees. The problem

can be remedied with occasional skilled

maintenance.

PreventabPreventable Tree le Tree FailuresFailures

Establishment pruning ensures stronger, faster

growing, longer lived trees. The tree pictured will prematurely break apart at the clustered branches, due to the lack of establishment

pruning.

PreventabPreventable Tree le Tree FailuresFailures

The predictable failure of this 7” caliper Red Oak could have been prevented by skilled

maintenance.

Tree Care Tree Care OversightOversight

“Tree care” providers have a responsibility to operate within industry accepted

Best Management Practices. Providers should be held accountable to the standards. This improper

pruning will introduce decay into the trunk of this

tree.

Professional Municipal Professional Municipal ArboricultureArboriculture

A municipal arborist need not be a full-time municipal employee.

• A professional consulting arborist can provide the services of a municipal arborist at a fraction of the cost.

Contracted ServicesContracted Services

Street tree inventory.

• Risk assessment.

• Prioritization of street tree maintenance.

Update borough street tree ordinance.

• Construction plan review.

• Citizen interaction and education.

Contracted ServicesContracted Services

Preservation of historic or significant trees.

• Contract specifications and management.

• Test and approve tree care providers.

Skilled maintenance:

• Transplant aftercare.

• Establishment pruning.

Contracted ServicesContracted Services

Staff and volunteer training.

• Tree and sidewalk conflict management.

• Species selection.

About Trees About Trees ConsultingConsulting

www.abouttrees.net