Universal issues in small town urban forests

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

Lack of Aftercare The lack of aftercare for recently transplanted trees leads to unnecessary tree losses and costs incurred by the municipality and its residents.

Canopy Cover Canopy cover, vital for shade, water infiltration and improving the lifespan of asphalt is lost due to preventable tree failures.

Hazard Trees Without a tree inventory or risk assessment, hazard trees go unrecognized until they fail.

Hazard Trees Hazard trees exist with the potential to injure people and property.

Preventabl e Tree Deaths Girdling roots have the potential to kill trees. The problem can be remedied with occasional skilled maintenance.

Preventabl e Tree Failures 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.

Preventabl e Tree Failures The predictable failure of this 7” caliper Red Oak could have been prevented by skilled maintenance.

Tree Care Oversight “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 Arboriculture 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 Services Street tree inventory. Risk assessment. Prioritization of street tree maintenance. Update borough street tree ordinance. Construction plan review. Citizen interaction and education.

Contracted Services Preservation of historic or significant trees. Contract specifications and management. Test and approve tree care providers. Skilled maintenance: Transplant aftercare. Establishment pruning.

Contracted Services Staff and volunteer training. Tree and sidewalk conflict management. Species selection.

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