A detailed look at the CMD Tree List and the decisions made to change the species

1. Tree Planting List Changes – The
Specifics
Dan Staley May 2017

2. Dan’s Experience
 B.S. Environmental Horticulture & Urban Forestry, UC Davis
 Advisor among top 3 world leaders in scholarship
 TREE Davis Boardmember with author of standard arboriculture text
(Harris, Clark & Metheny)
 Urban Planning & Urban Ecology, University of Washington (thesis pending
book publication)
 Advisor among world leaders in land cover change modeling
 Studied Urban Ecology under NSF grant
 Owner, User-Friendly YardScapes 13 years
 Plant list, landscape regulations, traffic calming Town of Castle Rock
 Plant over 100 trees/year in area (have contract to plant trees)
 Have taught hundreds of volunteers how to plant trees

3. Dan’s Selected Publications – Top 25 in US?

4. Statement: Completely changing tree list and
thus character of neighborhood
No evidence has ever been presented to show this is
true.
But never mind that.
Is this statement based in actual fact? No.
Here’s why…

5. Let’s look at the Tree List:

6. Not planted as street trees:

7. No longer planted due to EAB:

8. Thus these are out, 5/12 off the list:

9. One species was removed long ago, so ½ of the list
already changed naturally:

10. These suffer from chlorosis and heat:

11. Maple chlorosis is well known, reflected heat damage
easily seen throughout neighborhood:

12. …and homeowners have already found out about what
chlorosis does to maples:
 https://conservatory.nextdoor.com/new
s_feed/?post=31370221

13. Thus these remain (4 of original 12):

14. Red oaks look bad due to spotty growth and health, replaced
with two suitable red oaks (explained later):

15. Thus these remain (3/12 or ¼ left):

16. 39% of these were removed, due to health:

17. Plus, nearby cities have problems too:

18. Plus, nearby cities have problems too:

19. Standard references agree:

20. Nearby examples of intolerance of reflected heat

21. Nearby examples of intolerance of reflected heat

22. Nearby examples of intolerance of reflected heat

23. Nearby examples of intolerance of reflected heat

24. Another considereation for planting:

25. So. Was the tree list changed for personal reasons? Hardly. The
list was full of poor choices, or had trees that woud suffer
unforeseen diseases (EAB):

26. That is: all these changes were necessary, not personal
choice.

27. Landscape Plan’s Alternate Tree List: Three
alternates on new, revised list (+SWO a maybe,
a few planted in neighborhood)

28. Two not suited as street trees, as we’ve
seen:

29. Two more that can’t be planted - EAB:

30. What’s left? 3/7 remain, they are on our
tree list:

31. The Revised Tree List (all trees):

32. The Revised Tree List (underlined are the
trees from plans):

33. The Revised Tree List (new species):

34. The Revised Tree List:

35. Gingko seems to be doing OK so far:

36. This tree has similar leaf, canopy form to a tree on the
original list:

37. This tree has similar leaf, canopy form to a tree on the original
list:

38. Canopy form is similar, but larger. Larger trees give more
benefits and shade the street more effectively:

39. This oak tree choice has similar leaf, canopy form to swamp
white oak from original list:

40. This oak tree choice is adapted to Front Range soils too:

41. Very similar in characteristics…

42. …as you can see

43. The New Tree List: red oaks

44. The New Tree List: red oaks

45. The New Tree List: red oaks

46. The New Tree List: red oaks

47. …and Shumards often can color up red in fall in our area, thus
are planted in the neighborhood to be prominent:

48. …and Shumards often can color up red in fall in our area, thus
are planted in the neighborhood to be prominent:

49. The New Tree List: Kentucky coffee tree

50. Kentucky coffee tree
 Takes several years to establish
 Some cities ask citizens if they are willing to wait for this great
tree to grow
 Few pests
 Leafs out late – avoids late spring freezes, late snowstorm
breakage
 Large, stately tree at maturity – similar in leaf, life cycle, and
form to honeylocust

51. Kentucky coffee tree grows well, once
established

52. Kentucky coffee tree grows well, once
established

53. Kentucky coffee tree grows large in parks
in the West

54. How Was Tree List Created?
Interviewed a number of local arborists, experts,
Aurora City Forester for input
Researched leading local and regional
publications on recommended tree species
Researched leading national experts on
recommended tree species
Tree List is the result of input from industry
leaders at the highest level, and is science- and
evidence-based policy-making

55. What Were Criteria for Tree List?
Match original trees if possible
Better species list – more suitable for area’s
climate and soils, wind than original list
Large canopies for maximum benefits
Fall color (gingko, Shumard oak, Buckley oak)
Less maintenance than original

56. Tree List Research – the standard
reference

57. Tree List Research: largest city in Colo and great foresters,
nearby city with one climate zone warmer climate for the future

58. Tree List Research: country’s leading plantsman,
prominent and award-winning urban forester

59. A solid list, well-supported in
research, literature, and best
practices.

60. Thank you!