STRATUM: Running a STRATUM Analysis

Creating a STRATUM Project

Define Objectives Perform Full Inventory Perform Sample Inventory Draw Random Sample Map Sample Install i-Tree (Desktop and PDA ConfigurePDA Quality Check Collect Data Transfer Data to Desktop Community Forest Management Plan OR Interpret Results Report Results Define Data Inputs Import Access Database to STRATUM Start STRATUM Project Install STRATUM Choose Inventory Method Format/ Quality Check/ Convert Data to Access Use Existing Inventory

Process Overview Creating a new STRATUM project: Formatting your inventory database i-Tree Inventory PDA Utility Other inventories Converting Excel inventories to Access format STRATUM formatted spreadsheet Create Access table for STRATUM import Import Access database into STRATUM Define Unmatched Species Codes Define Inventory

Step 1: Formatting the Inventory Database i-Tree PDA Utility Do not require formatting Shared database w/MCTI A STRATUM-compatible Access table is automatically produced

Other Inventories STRATUM can only run after a STRATUM-formatted MS Access inventory table has been imported. Formatting requirements: MS Access (.mdb) table named STRATUM_Inventory Must have STRATUM field headings 17 field names: order, spelling, case sensitive Format (i.e., numeric vs. alpha-numeric; null value)

Step 2: Converting Excel inventories into Access Tables for STRATUM Convert data to STRATUM format Create metadata sheet Create Access database and import inventory

Step 3: Import Access Database into STRATUM Launch STRATUM application Define inventory type (sample vs. full) Import STRATUM-formatted.mdb file Establish DBH value and Management Zones Select Climate Region

Step 4: Define Unmatched Species Codes STRATUM Limited to known predominant species by climate zone National Tree Database Codes ~22 species modeled per Climate Zone Species Value Assignments Tree Types Non-tree Species Codes Used for stocking reports Wont be counted as trees in reports E.g., AVPSM = Available Planting Space for Medium tree

Step 5: Define Inventory Data fields Default or Custom Units (DBH only) Tree Inventory by Record Edit existing records Insert new trees Define Sample Data Total number of Street Segments (Citywide or by Zone) Change numbered zones to area name

Define City Data

Define Cost Data

Define Benefit Price Data

Benefit Price Data Energy Heating and Cooling Air Pollution Emissions Transaction costs Wang & Santini Carbon Dioxide eCO2.com Stormwater Runoff Reduction Detention/Retention Program Expenditures Sanitary Water Treatment Aesthetic and Other Benefits Median Home Sales Price

STRATUM: Reporting & Interpretation

Define Objectives Perform Full Inventory Perform Sample Inventory Draw Random Sample Map Sample Install i-Tree (Desktop and PDA ConfigurePDA Quality Check Collect Data Transfer Data to Desktop Community Forest Management Plan OR Interpret Results Report Results Define Data Inputs Import Access Database to STRATUM Start STRATUM Project Install STRATUM Choose Inventory Method Format/ Quality Check/ Convert Data to Access Use Existing Inventory Generating & Interpreting Reports

Interpret Results Report Results Resource Structure Analysis Benefit Cost Analysis Community Forest Management Plan

Resource Structure Analysis: 15 Basic Reports Population Summary Species Distribution Relative Age Distribution Importance Values Condition Relative Performance Index (RPI) Stocking Level Maintenance Recommendation Maintenance Task Land Use Location Conflicts Canopy Cover Other Replacement Values

Benefit-Cost Analysis Reports Annual Benefits Energy Stormwater Air Quality Carbon Dioxide Aesthetic/other All Management Costs Net Annual Benefits

STRATUM Reports Global Exports to Excel Spreadsheets Can interface with graphs and change them Manipulate data and select your own format type Screen Prints to PDF, Excel, Word and RTF files As viewed on screen - ready for reports, publications Fixed formatting on some reports

Generating Reports 1. Go to Report 2. Select Resource Structural Analysis 3. Select Report Type – Population

Screen Tools for Viewing Reports Tabs GoTo Page Page selection Toggle Group Tree Zoom Search Report Format Selections Print shortcut Screen export Refresh screen (changing between report formats)

STRUCTURAL Reports

1. Population Summary Summaries or complete lists of inventoried species, their total numbers, numbers by Tree Type, numbers by default DBH size classes Basic understanding of species frequency citywide, Management Zone, and DBH size classes

2. Species Distribution Species composition - 10 most prevalent species displayed in % of total numbers. Understanding of species dominance in terms of tree numbers

3. Relative Age Distribution Tree age, relative to DBH size class for 10 prevalent species or by management zone. Use to determine current mgmt. Needs and how needs change based on total numbers and aging of individual species. Ideal distribution has high proportion of new transplants to offset mortality, while % older trees declines with age.

4. Importance Values Mean of 3 relative values (% tree numbers, leaf area, canopy cover) for most prevalent species. Suggest communitys reliance on functional capacity of particular species: IV = 0 = no reliance IV = 100 = total reliance

5. Condition Structural (woody) and functional (foliage) condition data for entire population and most prevalent species. Indicates how well trees are managed and relative performance given site- specific conditions

6. Relative Performance Index (RPI) Indices based on weighted proportion of each street trees condition classification for all species. Value > 1 indicates species having better condition ratings. Value < 1 are species with below average condition ratings compared with other inventoried trees.

7. Stocking Level Stocking levels and available planting sites for small, medium and large trees as defined in Unmatched Non-tree Species Codes Identify high priority planting areas, strategic plant purchasing and cost planning

8. Maintenance Recommendation Provides maintenance recommendation as defined in the Data Tree Inventory by Data Fields dialogue by species or DBH size class Assists managers in understanding actual pruning and maintenance needs of the street trees Assists in establishing programmed pruning

9. Maintenance Task Provides maintenance recommendation as defined in the Data Tree Inventory by Data Fields dialogue by species or DBH size class Assists managers in understanding actual pruning and maintenance needs of the street trees Assists in establishing programmed pruning

10. Land Use Land use associated with each population subset Comparison with tree conflicts, maintenance recommendations and tasks for understanding problem planting sites for specific species

11. Location Tree locations associated with each population subset Comparison with tree conflicts, conflicts, maintenance recommendations and tasks for understanding problem planting sites for specific species

12. Conflicts – sidewalk heave Sidewalk heave associated displayed by species, total numbers, or % of numbers Understanding current and potential infrastructure related conflicts by species and Management Zone location

12. Conflicts – utility wire Overhead utility conflicts displayed by species, total numbers, or % of numbers Understanding current and potential infrastructure related conflicts by species and Management Zone location

13. Canopy Cover CC over city land and street areas Current vs. desired CC in city Increased CC = increased benefits Decrease pavement costs in some climate regions

14. Other 3 table formatted reports based on defined data fields unique to each city Defined as % of total numbers Davis example – Hazard Tree

15. Replacement Value Estimates the full cost of replacing trees Based on inventoried condition First order estimates (by DBH class & Zone)

Benefits & Costs Are street trees worth the investment?

Benefit-Cost Reporting

Energy Summer Savings kWh Winter Savings Btu

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) 4 components: Sequestered Avoided Decomposition Maintenance

Air Quality Deposition O3 NO2 PM10 SO2 Avoided NO2 PM10 VOCs SO2 BVOC emissions

Stormwater Interception Net interception Initial Abstraction

Aesthetic/ Other Property value increase Aesthetics Social Psychological Retail sales Noise abatement

All Benefits $ per tree Total $

Management Costs Annual Costs: Internal program expenditures External program expenditure

Benefit-Cost Summary Annual Benefits Costs BCR $/capita $/tree

Define Objectives Perform Full Inventory Perform Sample Inventory Draw Random Sample Map Sample Install i-Tree (Desktop and PDA) ConfigurePDA Quality Check Collect Data Transfer Data to Desktop Community Forest Management Plan OR Interpret Results Report Results Define Data Inputs Import Access Database to STRATUM Start STRATUM Project Install STRATUM Choose Inventory Method Format/ Quality Check/ Convert Data to Access Use Existing Inventory

Management Considerations The average tree provides over $125 in annual benefits. Daviss street trees return $5 for every $1 spent on their management. Can Daviss trees sustain this level of benefits?

Management Issues Needs to achieve: 1.Adequate structural complexity 2.Adequate canopy cover 3.Adequate pruning & maintenance

Structural Complexity Plant species that are well adapted and long-lived Reduce over reliance on too few species Rejuvenation of areas where even, old- aged stands predominate Goal: Achieve adequate structural complexity focused on long-term benefits How?:

Perpetuate current canopy cover Selective removal and replacement where even, old-aged stands predominate Promote additional coverage Fill empty spaces Plant large-stature trees where feasible Select well adapted and long-lived species Stable Canopy Cover Goal: Maximize Canopy Cover to offset detrimental effects of hardscape How?:

Improve young tree care Adjust pruning cycle: 8 yrs to 4-5 yrs Target species in the poorest health Pruning & Maintenance Goal: Improve tree condition to increase benefits provided while reducing liability and long-term maintenance costs How?:

Conclusion Davis has approx. 24,000 street trees. Citywide, the publicly managed trees produce $3.1 million in annual benefits for a total cost of $560,000. Continuing this level of benefits will take strategic program planning: Adequate young tree care. More frequent inspection and pruning. Rejuvenating aging populations. Planting areas void of trees.

STRATUM in Practice Municipal BCA Municipal Tree Resource Assessments/State of the Urban Forest Community Forest Management Plans City of Davis Program Advocacy City of N. Vancouver

Street Tree Resource Analysis/State of the Urban Forest Report Executive Summary The Tree Resource Management Costs Annual Benefits Management Implications Resource complexity Resource extent Maintenance needs Appendices

Davis Community Forest Management Plan Overview Context: Existing Conditions History of Tree Management Administration and Management State of the Community Forest Community Forest Goals, Policies, Standards and Actions Glossary Appendices rees/cfmp.cfm

STRATUM & Street Tree Master Plans Provide the best SERVICE possible Most efficient use of resources Maximize net benefits of trees Increase customer Satisfaction Cornerstone of compelling case for program funding

Level of Service Analysis Quantifiable measures of capacity or work performed Identify measures for each program area Tree planting (% full stocking) Young tree care (cycle) Large tree care (cycle) Hazard tree abatement (% dead or dying) Administration ($/tree) Compare Current LOS with Standard and Optimal LOS

Identify Funding Sources Tree planting grants Public awareness and volunteer training grants Local measures Assessment districts Parcel tax Other revenue sources Carbon dioxide emission reduction credits Shade tree programs for energy conservation Stormwater management Air pollution mitigation

Advocacy