How Research Helps Shape the Future of Arboriculture / Urban Forestry Roger C. Funk, Ph.D. The Davey Tree Expert Company [email protected] Roger C. Funk,

How Research Helps

Shape the Future of

Arboriculture / Urban Forestry

How Research Helps

Shape the Future of

Arboriculture / Urban Forestry

Roger C. Funk, Ph.D.The Davey Tree Expert Company

[email protected]

Roger C. Funk, Ph.D.The Davey Tree Expert Company

[email protected]

“Tis Easy to See, Hard to Foresee”- Benjamin Franklin

The Davey Tree Expert Company • The Davey Institute

History of Arboriculture

History of Arboriculture

“He that has a trade, hath an estate” - Benjamin Franklin“He that has a trade, hath an estate” - Benjamin Franklin


A Brief TimelineA Brief Timeline

510 B.C.E. Arborator from ancient Roman; “tree worker” - primarily pruning

1868 – 1869 Gypsy moth accidently released, Medford, MA

1880 – 1907 Modern industry birth with John Davey, F.A. Bartlett

1895 1st college arboriculture class, Dr. G. Stone

1913 1st arboricultural society in America

1838 – 1914 John Muir – Yosemite, Sequoia National Parks

1872 J. Sterling Morton – Arbor Day

1858 – 1919 Teddy Roosevelt – preservation of 230 million acres

1900 – 1908 Chestnut blight

1928 – 1930 Dutch elm disease

1929 Depression and WPA, REA, CCC

1932 Word “Arboriculture” first used by Charles Irish

1941 – 1945 WWII innovation – chemicals, chain saws, bucket trucks, GI Bill


Arboricultural ServicesArboricultural Services

• The basics at the turn of the century: (95% of the work)

– Cavity work

– Pruning

– Cabling and bracing

• 1930’s added:

– Fertilization

– Pest control

– Lightning protection



• 1975 NAA Survey of Arboricultural Services (Journal of Arboriculture, 3 (8), Aug., 1977)

– 37% Pruning

– 18% Spraying

– 16% Removals

– 8% Utility pruning

– 6% Fertilizing

– 8% Other: tree moving,

bracing,

planting,

cavity work,

diagnosis



• 1997 NAA and Forest Service survey of 25.5 million trees serviced (May, 1997, Arbor Age)

– 54% Pruning

– 23.5% Insect spraying

– 14.5% Fertilizer

– 6% Removals

– 1% Cabling


Industry OrganizationsIndustry Organizations

1898 US Forest Service

1924Shade Tree Conference International Society of Arboriculture (ISA, 1976)

1938National Arborist Association (NAA) Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

1972 National Arbor Day Foundation

1974 The Research Trust

1975 TREE (Tree Research and Education Endowment) FUND

1990National Urban and Community Forest Advisory Council (NUCFAC)

1992 ISA Certification


Goal 1

Expand knowledge and innovation about urban forest resource management to promote urban ecosystem health and sustainability.

Goal 2

Assess and monitor changing land use, and develop policy and practices to reduce landscape change.

Goal 3

Develop and deliver knowledge to mitigate and control invasive species and natural disturbances.

A report by the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council

National Research Plan for Urban Forestry 2005 – 2015 National Research Plan for Urban Forestry 2005 – 2015


National Research Plan for Urban Forestry 2005 – 2015 National Research Plan for Urban Forestry 2005 – 2015

Goal 4

Expand understanding of how trees and forests enhance air and water quality and other environmental services.

Goal 5

Understand and implement urban forest systems and conditions that enhance human health and well-being.

Goal 6

Assess and implement community development and economic benefits through community-based planning and management of forests.

A report by the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council


Drivers of ChangeDrivers of Change

EconomicsEconomics

DemographicsDemographics

Environmental AwarenessEnvironmental Awareness

Climate ChangeClimate Change

GlobalizationGlobalization

Technology / DisseminationTechnology / Dissemination


Economics / Research FundingEconomics / Research Funding

• R&D = investment in the future…but “deferrable”

• How large is arboriculture/urban forestry market?– Fragmented industry– $5 billion for arboriculture alone– What constitutes the urban forest?

Look outside your window…

• What is the annual spending for arboriculture / urban forestry research?– Urban Community Forest Programs have declined 25% in

the past 4 years from a high of $36 million annually to $27 million in 2007

– Nearly $3 million has been funded by the TREE fund since 1975

“Remember that time is money” - Benjamin Franklin


Economics / Research FundingEconomics / Research Funding

R&D expenditures as a% of GDP: .

– US 2.68% (56% for defense)

– China 1.25% to 2.5% in 2020

– Japan 3.0%

– European Union 1.9% to 3% in 2010

– Russia 1.5%

R&D expenditures as a% of net sales: .

– In 2003 health care services spent 2.3%

– Innovative companies with an R&D line budget increased revenues by 346%

– Other companies: 138%

• How much should be spent annually for research?

• Research Funding Opportunities– Tax Credits– Aligned agencies, foundations, trusts

“Remember that time is money” - Benjamin Franklin



• Arboriculture and urban forestry are not just about trees, but also about people

• Population in 1880, 1920, and 2008

“Love your neighbor, yet don’t pull down your hedge” - Benjamin Franklin

From 50 million in 1880 to over

420 million by 2050

In 1880 the population was

about 30% Urban

In 1880 the population was

about 30% Urban

Today, it is about 80% urbanToday, it is about 80% urban

In 1920 the urban and rural population were

about equal

In 1920 the urban and rural population were

about equal



• Increasing population shifts to coastal areas




• Impact on environment– Consumption– Loss of green space– Disaster-prone areas

• Future research– Tougher trees, tree-friendly

landscapes, placement


Picture credit: Urban Advantage


Environmental AwarenessEnvironmental Awareness

• Arbor Day

• Tree City USA

• The 1970’s– Silent Spring– Earth Day– EPA

• The Critical Role of Trees– “Collapse, How Societies

Choose to Fail or Succeed”

• Thou Shalt Not Pollute

• Quantifying Benefits– UFORE– STRATUM– i-Tree– NYC: $5.60 for each $1.00

spent. Budget from $22m to $62m

• Trees as Infrastructure– American Planning

Association – Canadian National Forest

Strategy– Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector

Study

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” - Benjamin Franklin

Urban ecologists will move up!

ForestryForestry

Forestry


Climate ChangeClimate Change“When the wells dry, we know the worth of water” - Benjamin Franklin

• Atmospheric CO2 increase– Extreme weather effect

• Extreme weather effect on trees– Nanling National Nature Reserve

• Direct effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 on trees– Increased growth– Insect susceptibility– Storm water run-off

• Planting trees to offset CO2 emissions– Utilities – SMUD, Iowa– Cities – Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake, New York City– United Nations

• Bio Technology– Stress gene

17% Increase in the Last 50 Years17% Increase in the Last 50 Years


GlobalizationGlobalization“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” - Benjamin Franklin

• Global trade = invasive species

Turn of the 20th Century– Gypsy moth, Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight

Turn of the 21st Century– Asian longhorned beetle– Emerald ash borer– Sudden oak death

• Prevention, eradication and dissemination

• NOAA – Most serious threat of the decade

• Pace of globalization quickening; so must efforts


Technology / DisseminationTechnology / Dissemination“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest” - Benjamin Franklin• Technical knowledge

– Research, Education and Training: Seeds of Innovation– Doubles: 2000 5 years; 2008 2 years; 2010 72 hrs

• Dissemination– Existing & future professionals, public officials, clients and public– Computers and the internet

Continue to rewrite the rules Full digital integration within 10 years 90% of all technical information will be available digitally; will need

interpretation Semantic Web By 2050, $1000 computer (2008 dollars) will exceed computing

capability of human race– MIT – Enciclomedia: curriculum for 10 and 11 yr olds in Mexico – Corporate Universities

400 in 1998; 1,600 in 2008KSU/Davey partnership

• Other: Master Gardener Program, Garden and Civic Clubs


SummarySummary“Well done is always better than well said”

- Benjamin Franklin


How Research Shapes the Future of Arboriculture / Urban ForestryHow Research Shapes the Future of Arboriculture / Urban Forestry

• Economics Drives Decisions

• Environmental movement and Climate Change Focus Attention

• Globalization Increases Invasive Species

• Population Increase, Shift and Economic Growth Increases Environmental Impact

• Research and Dissemination – History has assured our today

Professional trade organizations, ISA certification, research

– Today will assure our future Research quantifying economic, social and environmental benefits Creating “tougher trees” and better growing conditions Cooperation and Coordination of Research and Dissemination


The Future Begins With Each The Future Begins With Each New DayNew Day

Documents

How Research Helps Shape the Future of Arboriculture / Urban Forestry Roger C. Funk, Ph.D. The Davey Tree Expert Company [email protected] Roger C. Funk,