MCLEOD COUNTY TREE INVENTORY PROJECT Shelby lynn Gamache MN GreenCorps Member Serving McLeod County

Urban & Community Forests Includes all natural resources in an urban area “Green infrastructure” Positive social, economic, and environmental impacts on communities Save energy Reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide Reduce stormwater runoff Improve air quality Improve water quality Improve property values Beautify community

What is a Tree Inventory? Collect valuable information on urban tree populations Number of trees Diversity of species General ages Health Can be used for management plans and future funding

Benefits of Inventories Accurate profile of the forest Accurate budget Effective management plans Helps identify forest susceptibility Invasive pests Catastrophic events Maintenance work needed Monetary value Quantify benefits provided

Goals of McLeod County Tree Inventory Project Increase tree diversity and health Prepare city for invasive pests Create tree resources and increase tree interest among residents Increase awareness of tree maintenance and health Allow city to plan a budget for tree removal and planting Increase public safety by removing hazardous trees

Emerald Ash Borer Threat to all ash species in Minnesota 998 million ash trees in Minnesota Quarantine on Ramsey, Hennepin, Houston, Winona, and Olmsted counties

Emerald Ash Borer Biology

Emerald Ash Borer Symptoms and Damage Difficult to notice for first two years Tree dies within 3-4 years Increased woodpecker presence Thinning foliage and dieback D-shaped exit holes Epicormic sprouts

Planting/Removing Ash Do not plant ash Do not remove ash Unhealthy EAB confirmed within 15 miles Insecticide treatments are expensive

Inventory & Community Tree Factsheet City will have access to: Species Estimated age Location Canopy cover Health assessment Factsheet created from results of inventory

Volunteers Volunteers needed to help complete inventory Trained volunteers just as accurate as professionals Great way to assist your community

Volunteer Commitment Participate in training program Tree identification Inventory techniques Health assessment ratings Establish a team of 2-3 people Schedule dates to inventory block segments Return information to data collector Equipment to complete inventory will be provided

Contact Information Shelby lynn Gamache Phone: (320) Helpful websites:

Photo Sources Luana Vargis Daniel Harms. David McKay. Leah Bauer. Steven Katovich. Joseph O’Brien.