This presentation discusses using a schoolyard tree project to teach science concepts through a multi-disciplinary approach. It involves having students identify and inventory trees, calculate the environmental benefits of trees, and map the trees using Google Maps. The project aligns with state science standards and also teaches skills in tree biology, urban ecology, classification, and using technology. It requires minimal materials and can be done during spring and fall. Details are provided on how to identify trees, conduct an inventory, calculate benefits using online tools, and create a tree map. Resources for tree identification guides, curriculum, and setting up a school tree nursery are also listed.

1. Technology and Trees
Presentation for APS Science Staff
Mary Van Dyke, 15 Feb 2011

2. A Schoolyard Tree Project
• Tree ID
• Tree Inventory
• Calculate Tree Benefits
Online
• Map Trees on Google
Maps

3. Why?
• Science SOLs • Multi-disciplinary
– 4.8 Virginia’s Natural – Tree biology
Resources – Urban ecology
– 4.5 Ecosystems – Classification
– 5.1 Classification key – Quantitative skills (counting
• Technology and project- and measuring)
based learning – Resources and stewardship
• Educate students about
urban forests

4. Technology and Trees -
Logistics
• Costs and Materials
- Minimal Investment
– Tree ID books
– Diameter “DBH” tapes
– Cameras
– Computers
– Resources Online
• Class Time
– 4 x 45 min lessons minimum
• When
– Late March to October optimum

5. Tree ID
• Draw favorite trees from
memory, or write a poem
• Go outside, look at trees
• Identify trees
• Make leaf albums

6. Tree Inventory
Trees in the APS Syphax Building Parking Lot
Team: APS Staff
Date: 2/15/2011
Diameter at Condition:
Breast Good, Fair,
Tree # Species Height, DBH or Dead
Eastern
1 Redbud Fair
Callery or
2 Bradford Pear Fair
Eastern White
3 Pine Good
Evergreen,
4 small Good
Eastern Red
5 Cedar Good

7. Tree Benefits
o Storm-water Runoff Reduction
o Property Value
o Energy Reduction
o Air Quality Improvement
o CO2 Sequestration
o Wildlife Habitat Benefits
o Social Benefits
o Timber Value

8. $$ Tree Benefits
• Fairfax County estimates its
trees provide $54 million of
“ecosystem services” annually.
(2007).
• Arlington County estimates its
trees provide $1.8 million in air
pollution control and over $6.8
million in storm-water control
annually. (2004)
• Healthy, mature trees can add
10% to residential property
values.

9. $$ Tree Benefits - Online
National Tree Benefits Calculator
http://www.treebenefits.com
NB Use Firefox or Explorer (not Chrome)
List of Tree Benefits and Trees on the
National Tree Benefits Calculator
Tree Species DBH Stormwater Property Energy: Air CO2 Overall
# (inches) Interception Value Electricity Quality Reduction Benefits $
Savings Raised and Gas Benefits Annually
Savings
1 Eastern 10 $ 7.07 $ 6.05 $ 5.10 $ 3.08 $ 1.49 About $ 23
Redbud
714 gallons $6 40 kwh See 205 lbs
2 therms online
graph

10. Tree Map - Google Maps
Steps:
1. Identify tree, photo, measure
DBH, record data
2. Research tree attributes and
calculate tree benefits
3. Locate site or schoolyard on
Google Maps
4. Find your tree and add to the
Google Map with attributes
APS Syphax Building Parking Lot
and benefits

11. E.g. ATS Schoolyard Garden

12. E.g. Wilson Park Tree Survey
wilsonparktreesurvey.blogspot.com
• Virginia Museum of
Natural History
• Use Google blogspot
to inventory trees
• Then link to Google
Maps

13. Resources
TREE ID, INVENTORY, MAPS TREE CURRICULUM and LESSONS
The Sibley Guide to Trees, David Sibley ($40) • Growing Native Curriculum - Potomac Watershed
Common Native Trees of Virginia, Virginia Department of http://www.growingnative.org/pcgn_gncurr.htl
Forestry ($2 each) • Wood Magic - A wood science curriculum for nine
• FORSite Basics of Tree ID to eleven year olds
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/forsite/Idtree.htm http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/388/388-807/388-807.html
• The FORSite website has links to: • Two lessons on Tree ID Resources via Elizabeth
• 4-H Key to Leaves of Virginia Trees Ablott. Could be updated with the info in this ppt.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&s
– http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/forsite/key/intro.htm rcid=0BwBQ0686r6g-
• Dendrology at Virginia Tech ZmQ5YTViY2MtM2FlNS00NWNhLTkzZmEtOGMwZTljNDVk
MGQx&hl=en
– http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm • Casey Trees - click on ROOTS pdf on link below
• The VT Dendrology website has links to: http://www.caseytrees.org/education/school-
• Dichotomous Leaf and Twig Keys planting/index.php
– http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/idit.htm • Make Your Own Diameter Tapes
• Tree Fact Sheets http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/plt/activities/How_to_make
– http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/factsheet _your_own_diameter_tape.pdf
s.cfm • Project Learning Tree- enrichment lessons
• TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria http://www.plt.org/
– http://treestewards.org/ #21 Adopt a Tree
• Tree Benefits and List of Trees for National Tree Benefit # 67 How Big is Your Tree?
Calculator # 68 Name That Tree
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BpgxNVAjxqEAFtagvlveHN SCHOOL-BASED TREE NURSERIES
gTsrQoBI0afoQLgJ-t7FM/edit?hl=en&authkey=CI6PhZ8L# • Jim Egenrieder, School-Based Grow Out Stations
• Tree Benefit Calculator www.treebenefits.com use http://www.growingnative.org/pdfs/School-
Firefox browser BasedGOS-1.pdf
• Wilson Park Tree Survey, Virginia Museum of Natural • Mary Van Dyke, How to Set up a Tree Nursery
History, Martinsville VA https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BfXrXDRqgacmterP2L3
wilsonparktreesurvey.blogspot.com -
P5XRpgiZe_05Zekf7ewDlC4/edit?hl=en&authkey=CIGD4YsC
• ATS Schoolyard Garden Map - email #
maryvandyke4@gmail.com

14. Thanks!
Lisa Deaton, Ellen Powell, Barbara White, Jim McGlone
Virginia Department of Forestry
Eric Wiseman
Asst. Prof. Urban Forestry
Dept of Forest Resources & Environmental
Conservation, Virginia Tech
Denny Casey
Director of Education and Public Programs
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Carol Herwig, Sue Erhardt, Tom Buckley
Casey Trees, Washington DC
Caroline Temmermand, Jamie Bartalon, Patrick Wegeng
Landscape and Forestry, Arlington County
Nora Palmatier, Larry Finch, Steve Campbell
Tree Stewards of Arlington Alexandria
Elizabeth Ablott, Alison Sheahan
Arlington Public Schools
Jim Egenrieder
Arlington Public Schools, Virginia Tech
Further info contact: Mary Van Dyke,
maryvandyke4@gmail.com, 571 425 5278