© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved A special project of Project BudBurst and Urban Forestry South

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Urban Tree Phenology (UTP) connects urban forest professionals arborists and the general public with the scientific research community through direct observations of urban tree phenophases. Urban Tree Phenology

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Phenology is the study of life cycles events of plants and animals initiated and driven by environmental factors. Phenophases are the observable stages in the annual life cycle of a plant or animal (Examples include First leaf, First flower, First ripe fruit, Leaf color, Leaf senescence) Urban Tree Phenology

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved The purpose of Urban Tree Phenology is develop a better understanding of plant responses in our changing environments. Changing environments may be caused by climate change, land development, the urban heat island effect, and management practices. Urban Tree Phenology

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Why Urban Tree Phenology? 1.Climate Change Tree phenophases are directly affected by changes in temperature, precipitation patterns and the length of day 2.Urban Tree Management Accurate recordkeeping and observations can support more effective urban forest management 3.Public Health Long-term UTP can provide data to study the effectiveness of urban forests to better manage tree relationships with human health issues (e.g., allergies, asthma, and skin cancer) 4.Urban Heat Island Research UTP can provide data to support research Into urban heat islands, climate change, and ??? Photographs courtesy of NCAR, EPA, and Wikimedia.

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved 50% Leaf Fall American Elm All Leaves Unfolded Blackgum Example Phenophases Photographs courtesy of Adam A. Agosta, Mary S. Bowen and G. Suanne Bacque, Louisiana State University AgCenter; Dr. Paul Alaback, University of Montana; Chris Evens and Richard Webb, Bugwood.org; Steve Baskauf, Vanderbilt University First Needles Ponderosa Pine Full Flower Eastern serviceberry First Ripe Fruit Southern live oak First Flower Red Maple First Leaf Tulip poplar

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Example UTP Species Eastern whitepine Red maple Tulip poplar Southern live oak Photographs courtesy of David K. Northington and Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Wildflower Center; Wikipedia; © 2005 Louis-M. Landry; G. Suanne Bacque, Louisiana State University AgCenter Chinese elm Willow oak Bald cypress

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Helpful Materials Phenophase Field Guide UTP Guide UTP Site Description Checklist Camera or camera-enabled smart-phone Global Positioning System (GPS)

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Overview of Phenological Investigation Preparation for Observations Select tree species Identify optimal site & individual trees Register online Make Field Observations Record date of phenophase Take photographs Submit Observations Online

© University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, All Rights Reserved Presentation created by Karl C. Clarke, UCAR. Slide background photographs courtesy of Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Dr. Paul Alaback, University of Montana. Join us in collecting important climate change and tree management data on the timing of leafing and flowering of urban trees in your area through the Urban Tree Phenology. This national field campaign targets native tree species and their cultivars across the country. Urban Tree Phenology