2015 Urban Forest Management Plan

Planning & Infrastructure Town of Devon 3/16/2015

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Introduction “Urban forestry is the sustained planning, planting, protection, maintenance, and care of trees, forests, greenspace and related resources in and around cities and communities for economic, environmental, social, and public health benefits for people. The definition includes retaining trees and forest cover as urban populations expand into surrounding rural areas and restoring critical parts of the urban environment after construction. Expansion at the urban/rural interface raises environmental and public health safety concerns, as well as opportunities to create educational and environmental links between urban people and nature. In addition, urban and community forestry includes the development of citizen involvement and support for investments in long-term on-going tree planting, protection, and care programs."

Canadian Urban Forest Network

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Town of Devon Statement The Town of Devon recognizes that trees and shrubs are an important part of the quality of life, environmentally, culturally and economically. Vision Statement “The Town of Devon is committed to providing quality public services, facilities and infrastructure to the community. Furthermore, the Town is committed to being responsive to the needs and desires of the community to improve and enhance our services. “ Mission Statement “As Council, we will provide leadership and foster partnerships to make Devon an excellent place to call home.”

The following are principles intended to guide the implementation of this plan over the long term: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Promote a healthy, diverse and sustainable urban forest in Devon. Inform and engage the community in the work of protecting and managing the urban forest. Think globally and regionally; plan and act locally. Use best practices, innovation, science, research, information and technology applicable to the Devon area.

Leaving a positive lasting footprint that will impact the global community

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Tree Maintenance & Replacement Policy Statement: The Council of the Town of Devon desires to ensure that trees in the community are healthy and maintained at a level that protects the public and property from damage. Therefore the Town will annually undertake tree pruning and/or replacement operations on trees located on town of Devon properties and on public boulevards.

Guidelines: The Council of the Town of Devon will annually establish a level of funding for tree pruning operations.

Procedure: The annual funding provided will be allocated in the following order of priority: a.

Pruning   

b.

Pruning for the health and longevity of the tree Pruning of trees to enable public safety and remove hazards in the developed urban areas Pruning of trees for shaping and aesthetic reasons

Replacement In areas where trees are dead or are causing problems with surrounding utilities and/or Infrastructure, the tree(s) may be removed. Replacement of trees shall be in accordance with a level of service adopted by council.

Did you know? Planting a tree alleviates the “Greenhouse Effect,” trees act as carbon “sinks.” During a 50 year life span, one tree will generate $30,000 in oxygen, recycle $35,000 worth of water, and clean up $60,000 worth of air pollution or $125,000 total per tree without including any other values!

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Tree Maintenance & Replacement 1. Tree Spacing & Siting a. Boulevard/lot frontage & flankage - 1 tree approximately every 10 meters b. Trees are to be planted in a manner so as to not conflict with utilities, both overhead and underground. c. Trees shall be planted no closer than 3 meters to an asphalt trail. These trees are also chosen for the location and what is available.

2. Tree Species Preferred species of trees is based on proven hardiness in the local climate. Where possible trees of superior genetics should be chosen and proof of lineage may be required. Where applicable, the following shall be incorporated:  Vulnerability analysis, risk analysis and adaptive management related to species composition.  Enhanced species-level monitoring (e.g., growth, mortality, dieback) to ensure the early detection of climate change impacts and effectiveness of adaptation measures.

a. Boulevards Schubert breeds as well as Maydays are susceptible to Black Knot Disease and shall not be included in new plantings. The following are the prefered species of trees for boulevards and shall be planted in accordance with the Town of Devon Design Standards: Amur Cherry Flowering Crab Linden American Elm Green Ash Brandon Elm In boulevards and locations where sidewalks and pathways are in close proximity; trees with a less extensive root system are desirable to prevent damage to nearby hard surface infrastructure from tree roots.

b. Other sites – including open park spaces In all other sites trees should be selected in accordance with the existing trees in that particular area. Northwest Poplar Spruce Varieties Pine Varieties Oak Varieties

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usually the least expensive tree but are short lived and have an extremely aggressive root system open park settings only and shall be planted a minimum of 10 meters away from undergrown or hard surfaced infrastructure White Blue Ponderosa Mugle slow growing but aesthetically pleasing Bur Oaks are a faster browing oak

Tree Maintenance & Replacement c.

Species Photos

Northwest Poplar (Open Park Settings Only)

American Elm (Boulevards)

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Green Ash (Boulevards)

Amur Cherry (Boulevards)

Brandon Elm (Boulevards)

Linden (Boulevards)

Tree Maintenance & Replacement 4. Tree Maintenance Devon’s maintenance program includes:  When capital construction programs take place near or in the immediate vicinity; trees are evaluated before construction begins and monitored throughout construction to ensure health of the tree  Replacement of trees damaged by wind, vehicles, etc.  The proactive replacement of aging trees that are no longer able to support themselves or that could cause damage to adjacent property  Pruning and replacement for control of disease and pests  Fertilizing and watering new trees for the first two years  New trees are “staked” for the first three years  Tree assessment is updated using a registered Arborist. High risk trees are assessed yearly where others are addressed every second year.  Tree planting – As determined in Operating Budget  Where trees reach a point where they become a safety concern due to structural integrity they may be clearly “marked” for removal for a period of no less than one week. Trees “marked” for removal will be first cut down, followed by grinding of the remaining stump and planting of the new replacement tree as Budget allows.

5. Canopy Protection & Hazard Management Devon’s lush summertime tree canopies are enjoyed by visitors and Devonians alike. Most prevalent in the northern (older) areas of Devon they are found on the boulevards of many streets. These trees have a finite life span and need to be replaced with new trees as the old ones die out so that the canopy can remain flourishing. It is recognized that near the end of their lifespan the branches and boughs on these trees become weak. They may not be supported during wind or other storms and will likely cause property damage when they fall. Because of the need to protect from the hazards of older trees and to maintain the sustainability of the tree canopy in perpetuity an assessment & replacement program shall be used by Parks Operations.

6. New Canopy Protection & Planning New canopies are created when:  New subdivisions and new boulevard trees are added through municipal growth.  Boulevard trees are added in existing areas of Devon. Planning shall be undertaken in the care and future protection of these trees so that they may provide a canopy similar to the ones prevalent in the northern area of Devon. Types, spacing and installation shall be as per section 2 and the Town of Devon Design Standards.

7. Assessment Factors In addition to regular maintenance the following assessment factors shall be used in evaluating trees:  

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Tree History and Age Canopy Structure & Strength o Topping damage having created multiple leaders and weakening the tree. o Previous wind damage where branches have broken off previously, check for cracking at crutches and limbs.

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

Root Structure o Damage to roots from road or sidewalk repair o Rot at the base of the truck weakening the tree o Damage to the base of the tree from car accidents or other. o Core samples are taken when the outside assessment shows structural integrity issues and is usually done as a last resort. Core sample will look at the inside structure of the tree by boring a sample through the trunk of the tree. Disease Identification and Insect Damage

8. Ongoing Education An ongoing education program is offered to Town citizens through a combination of website, social media, newspaper and educational sessions. The program will be updated on a semi-annual basis and cover various topics including disease awareness & control; best species of tree for our climate (given the application); what species of shrubs & other plants that work best here; care and health of trees and shrubs; assessment factors used by the Town in evaluating municipal trees in their care and maintenance.

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Appendixes A. Tree Planting Plan B. Tree Inventory Summary C. The Town of Devon Design Standards (current version, section 10) D. Reference – Website links;   

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Alberta sustainable resources http://srd.alberta.ca/ Canadian Council of Forest Ministers http://www.ccfm.org/english/ Devon website http://www.devon.ca/

Appendix “A”

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Appendix “B” Tree Inventory as of 2014

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Species

Common Name

Ulmus americana Acer ginnala Malus syvlestris Populus tremuloides Betula papyrifera Fraxinus nigra and cultivars Cedrus deodara Malus hupehensis Populus tremula ‘erecta’ Ulmus Americana and cultivars Pseudotsuga menziesii Fraxinus pennsylvanica Larix kaaemferi Tilia Americana Prunus padus commutata Acer Negundo Sorbus aucuparia Pinus Mugo Quercus macrocarpa Elaeagnus angustifolia Pinus ponderosa Populus balsamifera Populus jackii ‘Northwest’ Populus X canescens ‘Tower’ Prunus virginiana other cvs. Ulmus pumila Populus alba Picea pungens/picea mariana Syringa reticulata Salix babylonica

American Elm Amur Maple Apple Crab Trembling Aspen White Birch Black Ash Cedar Decor Crab Apple Tea Swedish Columnar Aspen American Elm Douglas Fir Green Ash Japanese Larch American Linden Mayday Manitoba Maple Mountain Ash Mungo Pine Bur Oak Russian Olive Pine Ponderosa Balsam Poplar Northwest Poplar Tower Poplar Schubert Choke Cherry Siberian Elm Silver Poplar Blue/Black Spruce Japanese Tree Lilac Weeping Willow Total

Quantity 216 6 1 3 15 650 1 53 20 30 2 521 10 14 56 76 25 1 10 1 129 1 156 3 143 21 1 230 15 71 2489

Appendix “B”“C” Appendix

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Appendix “C”

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Appendix “C”

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Appendix “C”

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Appendix “C”

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