June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Tree Stewards Introduction Frank Reilly

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Tree Stewards Water Land care Wildlife/Habitat Others

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Sponsored by Virginia Department of Forestry through the Urban & Community Assistance Grant Program Developed by Department of Horticulture –10 years of effort –2 years of final preparation and review

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Open to Master Gardeners Technical Training Programmatic Training Internship period Project Service

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Technical Training –Unit 1 Overview – Benefits of Trees to the Community –Unit 2 Tree Biology and Soil/Site Limitations –Unit 3 Urban Tree Problems & Diagnosis –Unit 4 Basic Tree Selection –Unit 5 Trees for Various Sites –Unit 6 Optimal Tree Planting –Unit 7 Pruning and Training Trees –Unit 8 Street Tree Inventories

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 1 Overview –OBJECTIVES: –Know why trees are important to our communities Economically Non-Economically –Understand the purpose and organization of Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward –Learn the essentials of a well-rounded MGTS program –Complete and return volunteer agreement form. –Understanding Trees Benefits of trees to the Community? What is the place of Advanced Master Gardener Tree Stewards in the community? –Becoming an Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward –Introduction to the program –Creating a lasting impact through education

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 2 Tree Biology and Urban Soils –Objectives: Understand tree root spread & Distribution and its implications. Learn basic tree biology including transpiration, formation of bark & function of cambium, & physiological requirements of roots. Understand water and nutrient relations in urban soils and their influence on urban trees. –Understanding Trees Tree Biology Assessing Urban Soils and site limitations

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 3 Urban Tree Problems and Their Diagnosis –OBJECTIVES: Become familiar with typical environmental stresses experienced by urban and community shade trees Learn the basics of diagnosing shade tree problems and steps to remedy them –Understanding Trees The Urban Environment Plant Management Diseases and Pests Construction Impacts

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 4 Basic Tree Selection –OBJECTIVES: Be familiar with the following factors in tree selection: –Achieving species diversity –Choosing cultivars –Choosing native or exotic species Understand tree morphology as an aid to tree identification Learn to identify trees –Understanding Trees Background information for plant identification Considerations for species and cultivar selection Identification List #1

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 5 Trees for various sites –Objectives: Learn Trees on Identification list Increase knowledge of trees recommended for various site conditions –Understanding Trees Specific uses of trees Trees for various sites Identification List #2

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 6 Optimal Tree Planting –Objectives: Learn characteristics of high quality trees Learn optimum planting and initial maintenance practices for shade trees –Understanding Trees Characteristics of quality trees Trees care: –Planting –Staking –Wrapping –Mulching; and –Watering

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 7 Pruning & Training Trees –Objectives: Learn the training & pruning requirements of shade trees Understand tree wound compartmentalization Understand the importance of initial maintenance in tree survival Understanding Trees Mechanisms of wound closure Tree hazard prevention

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 8 Identifying Tree Problems –Objectives: Be able to identify tree problems –Understanding Trees Conducting tree inventories Tour of community – discussion of Social, Technical, and Management issues in Urban Forestry

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Advanced Master Gardener Programs Unit 10 Project and Presentation of Project –Objectives: In conjunction with your home Unit! Identify Community needs Propose programs to meet those needs Present program plan Set schedule for year’s programming Report to State Master Gardener Coordinator

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward The Manual Manual organization –Outline –Suggested readings –Other resources Some programmatic materials

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Unit 1 Overview OBJECTIVES: Know why trees are important to our communities in both Economic and non-Economic terms Why are trees important?

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees play a vital role in our community Reduce heating and cooling costs Stimulate economic development Improve tax base Attract new families

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees play a vital role in our community Help clean air and water Reduce erosion and flooding Moderate temperature Lessen energy demands

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Where would you like to live, work, and play?

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Some Non-economic benefits of trees Trees provide color, shade, fragrance Studies show trees relieve stress and shorten recovery times Trees lower health risks, crime, & violence

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Some Non-economic benefits of trees Trees enhance roadways They buffer noise and headlight glare Help drivers cope with stress

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees are essential to the environment Trap rainfall Roots prevent erosion Replenish groundwater Reduce flooding Reduce flooding damage

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees affect the hydrologic cycle

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Q T Developed Condition, Conventional CN (Higher Peak, More Volume, and Earlier Peak Time) Existing Condition Hydrograph

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees affect the hydrologic cycle

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees save communities money

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees save energy Deciduous tress planted on the south and west sides of a house can reduce air conditioning needs Evergreens planted on the north side of a house can reduce winter heating costs by up to 10 per cent. Savings can easily exceed $250/year/home!

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Trees increase property value Mature trees can add 10% to 20% to a homes value Wooded lots bring more than “skint” ones

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Top 10 Reasons why we need trees! 1. Trees help purify the air we breathe by absorbing pollutants. 2. Trees increase property values and improve the tax base in communities. 3. Trees improve neighborhood appeal, attracting businesses, shoppers, and homeowners. 4. Trees cool our cities and towns by reducing heat generated by buildings and paved surfaces. 5. Tree shade, properly placed, can save an average household up to $250 annually in energy costs. 6. Trees reduce the amount of pollutants in sewer systems, saving communities millions of dollars in water treatment costs. 7. Trees soften harsh building lines and large expanses of pavement, making urban environments much more pleasant. 8. Trees provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, maintaining a balance with nature even in urban areas. 9. Trees reduce the amount of water- borne pollutants that reach streams and rivers. 10. Trees reduce levels of domestic violence and foster safer, more sociable neighborhood environments.

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward What can you do? Fund programs for tree care, planting; and maintenance Hire a community forester Support volunteer organizations

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward What can you do? Plant the right tree in the right place Replant when you remove trees Join your local tree committee or start one Become an Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward and facilitate all of the above!

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Unit 1 Overview OBJECTIVES: Gain an understanding of the purpose and organization of Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Purpose –Volunteer Programmers & Educators –Extend VCE’s reach –Develop Community-based Programs –Learn, Teach, & Manage Good Urban Forest and Tree Management

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Complete and return volunteer agreement form Advanced Master Gardener—Tree Steward Training and Volunteer Agreement Form Name:___________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:__________________________________________________________________ City:_____________________ County:_________________ State:___________ Zipcode: _______ Street Address (if different from above): _______________________________________________ City:_____________________ County: ________________ State: __________ Zipcode: _______ Daytime telephone: ( ) Evening telephone: ( ) This form constitutes an agreement between _____________________ Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) and the Master Gardener—Tree Steward trainee listed above. The trainee agrees to complete the entire VCE MGTS course which consists of two parts, _____ hours of classroom training and _____ hours of field internship in the community under the auspice of VCE during the period __________________________________ to ________________________. At that time, if volunteer training work has been satisfactorily completed, the trainee listed above shall become a Master Gardener—Tree Steward entitled to fully participate in the Master Gardener— Tree Steward program. In support of this contract, VCE will provide the training, assist in identifying and approving the community internship experience, and provide supervisory expertise to fulfill this experience. VCE will also provide an official nametag and certificate of achievement for program completion. The MGTS, as a trainee, intern, and volunteer educator, will receive the same liability insurance as the Extension agent when working on authorized programs. I, _______________________, the MGTS trainee, understand the above agreement and further understand that the Extension agent may require specific types of internship work to satisfy this agreement. I also understand that to maintain Master Gardener—Tree Steward status, I will conduct additional educational programming in the amount of 20 hours each year to reach goals agreed on by the local MGTS. These activities must be approved by the Extension agent. I further agree that the title of Advanced Master Gardener—Tree Steward will only be used for non-profit volunteer education purposes associated with the VCE Advanced Master Gardener—Tree Steward program and will not be used in any business advertising or other for-profit activity. Trainee Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Extension Office:_______________________________ address _____________________ Date:________________ Agent signature: _____________________________________________ (Xerox 2 copies: original to coordinator’s files, copy to OCH, copy to MGTS trainee.)

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Requirements Complete and return volunteer agreement form Complete Technical Training Complete Programmatic Training Prepare a project Report on the project Complete Internship Continued volunteer activity

June 21, 2006VCE Advanced Master Gardener Tree Steward Questions & Feedback Do you understand what is entailed? Is this introduction thorough? Any suggestions? Any criticisms?