Urban Forest Management: Urban Forest Management: Selection – Planting – Protection Selection – Planting – Protection

Rick W. HarperRick W. HarperCornell Coop. Extension – Westchester Co.Cornell Coop. Extension – Westchester Co.

rwh26@cornell.edurwh26@cornell.edu

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

• From 1860-1910 Forests East of the From 1860-1910 Forests East of the Mississippi Were Cleared = 13.3 sq. mi./day Mississippi Were Cleared = 13.3 sq. mi./day

• Forest Cover From 70% to 20%Forest Cover From 70% to 20%

www.fhwa.dot.govUS Forest Service

The Cities of Yonkers,The Cities of Yonkers,White PlainsWhite Plains• Early 1900’sEarly 1900’s• No Immediate TreesNo Immediate Trees

Photo credit: Mr. J. Nicoletti, Commissioner of Public WorksThe City of White Plains

Source: Historic White Plains

• 59% of NYS is Forested59% of NYS is Forested• 38.4% of Tree Cover in Urban 38.4% of Tree Cover in Urban

CentersCenters• 70% Pop. Located in Urban 70% Pop. Located in Urban

CommunitiesCommunities

Present Day PerspectivePresent Day Perspective

Map by Dan Bogan

SelectionSelection

Recommended Urban TreesRecommended Urban Treeswww.hort.cornell.edu/uhiwww.hort.cornell.edu/uhiDr. N. BassukDr. N. Bassuk

Landscape Tree FactsheetsLandscape Tree FactsheetsForestResources@PSU.eduForestResources@PSU.eduDr. H. GerholdDr. H. Gerhold

ProtectionProtection• Protecting Trees Protecting Trees

from Construction from Construction DamageDamage

• Critical Root Radius Critical Root Radius (CRR)(CRR)

• Protected Root Zone Protected Root Zone (PRZ)(PRZ)

• Species – Specific Species – Specific ResearchResearch

• Planning/ProactivePlanning/Proactive

Dr. Gary Johnson, UMNDr. Gary Johnson, UMNwww.forestry.umn.eduwww.forestry.umn.edu

Soil PenetrometerSoil Penetrometer• Resistance/CompactionResistance/Compaction• AffordableAffordable• PortablePortable

B & BB & B• 90% Street Tree 90% Street Tree

PlantingsPlantings• Field GrownField Grown• Dug & WrappedDug & Wrapped

PlantingPlanting

80% Landscape Tree 80% Landscape Tree Problems Originate Problems Originate Below Ground Below Ground Dr. G. WatsonDr. G. Watson

• Flare Visibility?Flare Visibility?• Uppermost Uppermost

Structural Roots Structural Roots Within 1-3” of Soil Within 1-3” of Soil Surface, 3-4” Surface, 3-4” From the StemFrom the Stem

• Excess Soil…Excess Soil… Photo credits: www.mortonarb.org

• 4 Yrs.4 Yrs. Acer Acer spp. 50- spp. 50-75% of Trunk Dia. 75% of Trunk Dia. Encircled with Girdling Encircled with Girdling Roots (20% control)Roots (20% control)

• ““Buried” Trees = Buried” Trees = significantly more significantly more susceptible to root susceptible to root pathogens, insects and pathogens, insects and feature a reduced life feature a reduced life expectancyexpectancy

http://www.mortonarb.org/deeptreehttp://www.mortonarb.org/deeptreeroots/land_established.htmlroots/land_established.html

Photo credits: C.Wellswww.mortonarb.org

Photo credit: www.mortonarb.org

Limiting FactorLimiting Factor of Urban Trees is of Urban Trees is Space to Develop Healthy Root SystemSpace to Develop Healthy Root System

• Avg. Street Tree Lives 5-15 Years Avg. Street Tree Lives 5-15 Years (Bassuk)(Bassuk)

• Less than 10 Years (Moll)Less than 10 Years (Moll)• Avg. Lifespan of Car is 13 + Years Avg. Lifespan of Car is 13 + Years

(DOT)(DOT)

49 Square Feet

16 Square Feet

25 Square Feet

Photo credits: Mr. J. Nicoletti, Commissioner of Public WorksThe City of White Plains

Important “Local” ModificationsImportant “Local” Modifications• Tree pit = 60 cu.ft. – 150 cu.ft.Tree pit = 60 cu.ft. – 150 cu.ft.

Photo Credit: Color Landscapes www.colorlandscapes.com

Silva Cells (Suspended Pavement)Silva Cells (Suspended Pavement)

Photo Credit: Green-fab.com

CU Structural SoilCU Structural Soil

MonitorMonitor Your Tree Populations Your Tree Populations

www.forestryimages.org www.dec.ny.gov/press/68420.html

For More Information…For More Information…

• www.hort.cornell.edu/uhiwww.hort.cornell.edu/uhiDr. N. BassukDr. N. Bassuk

• www.mortonarb.orgwww.mortonarb.orgDr. G. WatsonDr. G. Watson

• www.forestry.umn.eduwww.forestry.umn.eduDr. G. JohnsonDr. G. Johnson

• Hudson Valley SWATHudson Valley SWATS. Mallozzi (sdm10@cornell.edu)S. Mallozzi (sdm10@cornell.edu)

• Cornell Coop. ExtensionCornell Coop. ExtensionWestchester CountyWestchester County914-285-4640914-285-4640rwh26@cornell.edurwh26@cornell.edu