Presentation by Tree Committee Provided at the Realty Plot Association Meeting November 9, 2015

1. What is a “street tree”?

Evergreens

Notable trees brochure Copper Beech 3 on Lowell (1171, 1374, 1436) Metasequoia 1286 Wendell London plane 1156 Stratford Japanese maple 1176 Stratford Ginko 1050 Avon

What is the street lawn?

Cont.

2. City tree removal Safety Tree removal by City workers or by contract Work is off a priority list that the City (Joe Vitale) develops

Stump removal

3. How old is my tree? Three ways to estimate age – By a core boring (not for us) By measuring girth and using formula By counting tree rings when tree is felled.

Estimate from girth Measure diameter at chest height (54”) Multiply by “factor” Need to have a factor Depends on the factor and how derived

Example - black walnut in my back yard

Diameter at chest height

Circumference

Diameter x factor Dia. = circumference / 3.1415 D = 126/3.1415 = 40.1 = 40.1 Age = Diameter x factor (factor for black walnut = 4.5) Age = 40.1 x 4.5 = 180.4 !!

Count the rings This gives the best estimate. Can be accurate to within a few years. Depends only on making an accurate count. Ultimate form of “destructive testing”.

Example – oak from Adams Road

Count the rings cont.

Count the rings cont.

4. How many trees in the Realty Plot? 2014 census (Limited to trees in the Street lawn) Total = 459 More than just count Species Location Circumference Condition

Condition One typology: Excellent Good Poor Almost dead Dead

Another typology Beneficial (positive?) criteria: Historically correct (oak, elm) Aesthetically good (elm, linden) Majestic growth (elms) Available from ReTree Vigorous growth, highly tolerant Negative: Disease-prone (ash) Invasive (Nor. Map., burn. bush) Shallow-rooted Not historic (Zelkova, lilac)

Problems with census Data collection on paper is difficult to do Difficult to use – a map would be better Lack of uniform definitions.

5. How many species in the Realty Plot? We found 23 and we only looked in the street lawn.

What are the species that were found? We found 23 species: Service berry Burning bush Green ash Hedge Maple Pear Honey locust Red maple Tree lilac Cherry Norway maple Sycamore Box elder Lilac Ash Oak Crab apple Pin oak Ornamental Plum Silver maple Linden Elm Sugar maple Zelkova Red Oak

6. Most represented species? Maples. And predominantly, Norway maples.

7. Planting new trees When is the best time to plant a tree? About 25 years ago. When is the second best time to plant a tree? A. Today.

Lists of accepted tree species? Yes. Lots of lists. So far, we have found: the City of Schenectady Tree Master Plan list the Jim Jamieson list for the Historic Commission, the ReTree list, “Trees and Shrubs of the Capital Region” by ECOS, a list from “American Home Landscapes” by Adams and Burchfield. 

8. Species that are disfavored? Norway maples (incl. Crimson King cultivar) Ornamental fruit trees Ash Burning bush

9. Historic Commission Two views on jurisdiction. Ordinance covers planting. No person shall carry out any exterior alteration, restoration, repair, repainting, reconstruction, demolition, new construction or moving of an historic site or structure or property that results in any physical change to buildings, structures or historic resources within the districts, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such a property, its light fixtures, signs, roofs, steps, railings, sidewalks, fences, paving, installation of satellite dishes, or other exterior elements visible from a public right-of-way which affect the appearance and cohesiveness of the Historic District or historic site or structure without first obtaining a certificate of approval …

Historic Commission Or it does not. No mention of trees or plantings, etc. Trees die naturally and cannot be present forever While alive, trees have a changing impact throughout their life. Ordinance needs clarifying.

10. What is ReTree Schenectady? Two planting projects a year (April and October) Since founding, planted more than 3,000 trees Go to this website for more details and the contact information: http://www.cityofschenectady.com/retree.htm