Managing and Maintaining the Urban Forest’s Forest

Presented By:

Mark Wisniewski – Wisniewski & Associates

ISA Certified Arborist WE-0742A

Landscape Architect 3281

Adam Heard – Four Seasons Tree Care, Inc.

San Diego Division Manager

ISA Certified Arborist WE-7763A

Managing and Maintaining the Urban Forest

There are 2 different components to taking care of the valuable tree assets in the Urban Forest:

Both are and .necessary critical

MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

Why Bother to Manage and Maintain Trees?

If trees are not properly managed and maintained they can cause , or .property damage personal injury death

Dr. Ed Gilman

Safety:

Safety:

Safety:

of tree owners & property

of tree workers and landscapers

of the general public

Some Reasons to Manage and Maintain the Urban Forest

Some Reasons to Manage and Maintain the Urban Forest

Increase shading

Other environmental benefits

Increase aesthetics and property values

Control and reduce costs

What is the Difference Between Tree Management and Tree Maintenance?

Managing the Urban Forest

Management includes:

• A written long term plan

• Guidance for decision making

• Consistency - does not change with changes in personnel

• Demonstrates reasonable due diligence and fiduciary responsibility

• Utilizes outside consultants that are knowledgeable, trained, qualified, independent, and objective

Managing the Urban Forest

• Decision making based on science, national standards and best management practices

• Establishes reasons for pruning, removal and planting

• Goals, evaluation criteria, inventory, mapping and specifications for maintenance

• Annual inspection and evaluation of every tree

• A prioritized work plan for pruning, removal and planting based on the annual inspection

Management includes:

Maintaining the Urban Forest

Maintenance includes:

- Pruning

- Planting

- Watering

- Fertilization

- Removal

- Mulching

- Removal of tree stakes

- Pest Management

Managing and Maintaining the Urban Forest

Management should and the maintenance work based on a plan.

Not just by a:

• Squeaky wheel

• Crisis situation

• Emergency response

control direct

Maintenance deferred is always more costly and sometimes DEADLY.

To Manage Trees you Need to Start With Answers to Some Basic Questions:

• What do we have?• How many trees?• What species are they?• What condition are they in?• Why are they being pruned?

How Much Does Tree Maintenance Cost?

• How much to annually contribute to a tree reserve fund?

• How much to annually budget from the reserve fund for maintenance?

• Why a reserve fund instead of a budgeted line item?

There are a few things you need to know:

What’s wrong with most community management plans?

• Usually not a plan, but a prescription for over-pruning that is costly for both the community and the trees.

• Although easy to remember this does not address the real needs of the community and is damaging to the trees.

GOOD! BAD!!!

• Reduce potential wildfire damage• Remove or adjust tree stakes• Turf and ground covers around trunks• Planting new or replacement trees

Conditions That Require Work:

• Hazardous trees• Clearance for safety• Improve tree structure• Train young trees• Circling or girdling roots• Mulching

But Why Not Prune Every 1, 2, 3 or 4 Years?

• Few trees, except some palms, require frequent pruning• Topping creates hazardous trees• “Lions Tailing” creates hazardous trees• Over-thinning or “lacing” weakens trees

Light lacing Heavy lacing

“Don’t call tree mutilators BUTCHERS,

butchers are highly skilled people.”

Dr. Alex Shigo

Trees have leaves for a reason:• Leaves produce the energy the tree needs to grow.• Energy (carbohydrates and sugars) are stored as

reserves.• Energy is the tree’s money and stored energy is it’s

retirement account.

They are called leaves for a reason…• Leave Them Alone!

• Leave Them On The Tree!

Why is turf harmful to trees?• Out competes trees for water• Reduces tree vigor• Results in damage to trees from maintenance equipment

Why remove ground cover?• Prevents inspection of the root collar of the tree• Can conceal defects like decay or circling and girdling roots• Increases moisture on the lower trunk by shading• Can lead to disease or fungus problems

Is a root collar inspection really necessary?

YES!The root collar is the most critical part of the tree to

evaluate for vigor and safety.

GOOD! BAD!!!

Current National Standards for Tree Work

Safety Requirements – ANSI Z133.1-2000

• 9.1.1 - A visual hazard assessment including the root collar shall be performed prior to climbing, entering or performing any work in the tree.

Standard Practices (pruning) – ANSI A300-2001

• 5.1 – Tree inspection

• 5.1.1 – An arborist or arborist trainee shall visually inspect each tree before beginning work.

• 5.1.2 – If a condition is observed requiring attention beyond the original scope of work, the condition should be reported to an immediate supervisor, the owner, or the person responsible for authorizing the work.

There are two different components to taking care of a community’s valuable tree assets.

Both are critical and necessary.

Managementand

Maintenance

Why are management and maintenance so important?

• If trees are not properly managed and maintained they can cause property damage, personal injury or death.

• Trees are an integral part of a community’s infrastructure just like streets, drainage systems and lighting.

Safety:

Safety:

Safety:

of tree owners & property

of tree workers and landscapers

of the general public

Some Reasons to Manage and Maintain the Urban Forest

Some Reasons to Manage and Maintain the Urban Forest

Increase shading

Other environmental benefits

Increase aesthetics and property values

Control and reduce costs

Thank you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Chy5kPQ-Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkuG_RTS15I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wChO770GIU&feature=related