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David Lefcourt - City Trees
The document discusses urban forestry initiatives in Cambridge, MA, highlighting the city's management of over 19,000 trees, efforts to identify and plant new tree wells, and the impact of tree diversity on urban ecosystems. It addresses the potential threat of the emerald ash borer and outlines a proactive management plan for ash trees, including treatment and removal strategies. Additionally, the document emphasizes community engagement through volunteer programs and citizen science to maintain and enhance urban tree populations.
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David Lefcourt - City Trees
- 1. Inventory of Biodiversity Urbanand Suburban Carbon Farming Conference Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, May 3rd, 2015
- 2. David Lefcourt MCA, MCLP,ISA Municipal Specialist, TRAQ City Arborist/Tree Warden City of Cambridge, MA 617-349-6433 dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov www.cambridgema.gov/tree President – Society of Municipal Arborists Past President – MA Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association
- 3. Urban Forestry Divisionmaintains over 19,000 trees throughout the city. As compared to: 3,070 Parking meters 6,600 Street lights Over time, the value of a tree increases while the value other city assets decrease
- 4. Tree Diversity Throughoutthe City
- 5. Tree Diversity Throughoutthe City
- 6. Trees Species Throughoutthe City Native*
- 7. Potential New Tree Wells Beginningin Summer 2014, the Forestry Division identified roughly 2,600 potential tree wells throughout the City. The Forestry Division will continue to identify new potential tree wells over the next several years. The overall goal will be to develop an outreach and funding plan to plant many of the proposed new tree wells
- 8. How to Workwith Others to Maintain Tree Diversity • Neighborhood Tree Walks • Neighborhood Tree Talks • Public Outreach – Facebook, DPW Website, EAB • Planting Trees with Volunteers • Citizen Science with Earthwatch Institute • Working with other Departments • Educating Contractors
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- 11. Cambridgeport vs. Citywide 9/15/2011Cambridgeport City of Cambridge Cambridgeport as Percentage of Citywide Count # of Trees 1,739 12,995 13.38% # of Planting Sites 57 624 9.13% # of Retired Sites 0 137 0.00% # of Stumps 23 234 9.83%
- 12. Tree Density Number of Trees NAMETotal Street Length Density 765 WELLINGTON HARRINGTON 30536.96 0.02505 1211 MID-CAMBRIDGE 51414.62 0.02355 560 AGASSIZ 23882.84 0.02345 1738 CAMBRIDGEPORT 74861.15 0.02322 892 AREA IV 40287.77 0.02214 1556 EAST CAMBRIDGE 73128.31 0.02128 1266 NEIGHBORHOOD 9 67418.83 0.01878 804 RIVERSIDE 43901.87 0.01831 1333 NORTH CAMBRIDGE 78165.94 0.01705 1906 NEIGHBORHOOD 10 112724.25 0.01691 266 STRAWBERRY HILL 17149.87 0.01551 410 MIT / AREA 2 36659.18 0.01118 199 CAMBRIDGE HIGHLANDS 19924.67 0.00999
- 13. Top 15 speciesin Cambridgeport by percentage: Red maple 13% Norway maple 13% Honeylocust 11% Littleleaf linden 11% Pear 11% Pin oak 5% Japanese zelkova 4% Cherry sp 2% Japanese tree lilac 2% Hedge maple 2% London planetree 2% Sophora 2% American linden 2% Elm sp 2% Green ash 2%
- 14. M em orial Brookline M assachusetts M agazine Brookline Putnam Albany River Waverly Erie Central Henry W averly River Em ily Tudor Andrew Laurel Salem Rockw ell Kenwood Talbot Speridakis Blanche °0 250 500750 1,000125 Feet N Charles River Top 10 Streets with the Least Dense Tree Coverage Andrew Street Blanche Street Emily Street Kenwood Street Laurel Street Rockwell Street Salem Street Speridakis Terrace Talbot Street Tudor Street Top 10 Streets with Least Tree Density in Cambridgeport
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- 17. Working with Volunteers Bareroot tree planting project with local girl scout troop
- 18. Engaging the Youth Helpget young kids to adopt trees in the City
- 19. Citizen scientists spendthe day measuring and assessing trees throughout the City of Cambridge Collaborating with the Earthwatch Institute Other projects in the works: - Coring trees to determine historical growth rate data - Development of an Urban Forestry management plan
- 20. Encourage residents and business owners towater trees
- 21. Encourage residents andbusiness owners to water trees
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- 24. City of Cambridge EmeraldAsh Borer Management Plan
- 25. Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) Management Plan • EAB was recently found at the Arnold Arboretum, which is about 6 miles away from Cambridge – Could arrive in Cambridge any time now. May already be present. – Depending on existing condition and/or size of tree, could take 3-7 years for EAB to kill a tree – Standing dead ash present high risk to public safety due to how quickly branches will fail • There are roughly 883 City maintained ash trees (4.6% of overall City maintained tree canopy) – Good – 769 trees – Poor – 114 trees • Good trees can be protected through proactive treatment; trees in poor condition need to be removed as potential high risk trees. • It is more cost effective for the City to treat now as oppose to removing all dead ash trees 3-7 years from now
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- 28. Get involved fromthe beginning • Pre-design meetings • Tree walks to assess existing condition of trees • Continuously emphasize safe construction practices around the trees • Tree protection • Fines for damage to trees • Stress the importance of the trees in the City and to its residents
- 29. Avoid the FollowingWhen Working Around Trees: • Wounding the tree • Exposing Roots to Elements for Long Periods • Cutting or Ripping Roots • Compacting Rooting Soil with Materials and Equipment • Breaking Branches
- 30. Improving Planting Conditions InstallingStructural Soil to Improve Soil Volume Utilizing Flexi-pave to Improve Tree Survivability
- 31. Thank You! David Lefcourt MCA,MCLP, ISA Municipal Specialist, TRAQ City Arborist/Tree Warden City of Cambridge, MA 617-349-6433 dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov www.cambridgema.gov/tree