1. Presentation by Tree Committee
Provided at the Realty Plot Association Meeting
November 9, 2015

2. 1. What is a “street tree”?

7. Evergreens

8. Notable trees brochure
Copper Beech
3 on Lowell (1171, 1374, 1436)
Metasequoia
1286 Wendell
London plane
1156 Stratford
Japanese maple
1176 Stratford
Ginko
1050 Avon

9. What is the street lawn?

10. Cont.

11. 2. City tree removal Safety
Tree removal by City workers or by contract
Work is off a priority list that the City (Joe Vitale) develops

12. Stump removal

13. 3. How old is my tree? Three ways to estimate age –
By a core boring (not for us)
By measuring girth and using formula
By counting tree rings when tree is felled.

14. Estimate from girth Measure diameter at chest height (54”)
Multiply by “factor”
Need to have a factor
Depends on the factor and how derived

15. Example - black walnut in my back yard

16. Diameter at chest height

17. Circumference

18. Diameter x factor Dia. = circumference / 3.1415 D = 126/3.1415 = 40.1
= 40.1
Age = Diameter x factor
(factor for black walnut = 4.5)
Age = 40.1 x 4.5
= !!

19. Count the rings This gives the best estimate.
Can be accurate to within a few years.
Depends only on making an accurate count.
Ultimate form of “destructive testing”.

20. Example – oak from Adams Road

21. Count the rings cont.

22. Count the rings cont.

23. 4. How many trees in the Realty Plot?
2014 census (Limited to trees in the Street lawn)
Total = 459
More than just count
Species
Location
Circumference
Condition

24. Condition
One typology:
Excellent
Good
Poor
Almost dead
Dead

25. Another typology
Beneficial (positive?) criteria: Historically correct (oak, elm) Aesthetically good (elm, linden) Majestic growth (elms) Available from ReTree Vigorous growth, highly tolerant Negative: Disease-prone (ash) Invasive (Nor. Map., burn. bush) Shallow-rooted Not historic (Zelkova, lilac)

26. Problems with census Data collection on paper is difficult to do
Difficult to use – a map would be better
Lack of uniform definitions.

27. 5. How many species in the Realty Plot?
We found 23 and we only looked in the street lawn.

28. What are the species that were found?
We found 23 species:
Service berry
Burning bush
Green ash
Hedge Maple
Pear
Honey locust
Red maple
Tree lilac
Cherry
Norway maple
Sycamore
Box elder
Lilac
Ash
Oak
Crab apple
Pin oak
Ornamental Plum
Silver maple
Linden
Elm
Sugar maple
Zelkova
Red Oak

29. 6. Most represented species?
Maples.
And predominantly, Norway maples.

30. 7. Planting new trees When is the best time to plant a tree?
About 25 years ago.
When is the second best time to plant a tree?
A. Today.

31. Lists of accepted tree species?
Yes. Lots of lists.
So far, we have found:
the City of Schenectady Tree Master Plan list
the Jim Jamieson list for the Historic Commission,
the ReTree list,
“Trees and Shrubs of the Capital Region” by ECOS,
a list from “American Home Landscapes” by Adams and Burchfield. 

32. 8. Species that are disfavored?
Norway maples (incl. Crimson King cultivar)
Ornamental fruit trees
Ash
Burning bush

33. 9. Historic Commission
Two views on jurisdiction. Ordinance covers planting.
No person shall carry out any exterior alteration, restoration, repair, repainting, reconstruction, demolition, new construction or moving of an historic site or structure or property that results in any physical change to buildings, structures or historic resources within the districts, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such a property, its light fixtures, signs, roofs, steps, railings, sidewalks, fences, paving, installation of satellite dishes, or other exterior elements visible from a public right-of-way which affect the appearance and cohesiveness of the Historic District or historic site or structure without first obtaining a certificate of approval …

34. Historic Commission Or it does not.
No mention of trees or plantings, etc.
Trees die naturally and cannot be present forever
While alive, trees have a changing impact throughout their life.
Ordinance needs clarifying.

35. 10. What is ReTree Schenectady?
Two planting projects a year (April and October)
Since founding, planted more than 3,000 trees
Go to this website for more details and the contact information: