The City of Chico’s Citizen The City of Chico’s Citizen Tree Planting ProgramTree Planting Program

“Thanks” or

“Leaf Me Alone”A 2012 Geography Department Master’s Project

by

Tristan E. Ragsdale

Benefits of Urban ForestsBenefits of Urban ForestsPhysical and emotional Environmental

– Absorb 33,000 lbs pollutants per year– 1500 tons CO2 stored annually– 20 million gallons water captured

Economic– 30% less energy– $2 billion savings annually with 100 million

trees

What is a Street Tree?What is a Street Tree?

Street tree ownership within the City of Chico. Only trees planted within the ROW (right-of-way) line are the city’s responsibility and where residents or business owners can plant a street tree(s). Source: Denice Britton 2011.

Citizen Street Tree Planting Program Citizen Street Tree Planting Program (CTPP)(CTPP)

OverviewOver 30,000 street trees in the City of ChicoOver 3,500 potential street tree sitesSurvival rates

City of ChicoStreet Tree PlantingLocations

Source: Denice Britton, 2012

Denice Britton at a workshop demonstrating proper street tree planting technique. Photo: Scott Gregory.

Internship/ProjectInternship/ProjectAssist in CTPP implementationDetermine the effectiveness of the CTPP

from the analysis of motivational and disincentive responses

Make recommendations

MethodologyMethodology

Permit Applicant

Non-Permit Applicant

CTPP Project Questionnaires

Code Book SampleCode Book Sample

CTPP ResultsCTPP Results

60 workshop attendees61 Trees Planted37 CTPP participants248 CTPP non-participants

City of Chico Maintenance ZonesCity of Chico Maintenance Zones

Map illustrating the maintenance zones of Chico. Source: Denice Britton 2011.

CTPP Site ResultsCTPP Site Results

Maintenance Zone1 10 16.39% 7,196 23.80%2 10 16.39% 2,434 8.00%3 3 4.92% 1,106 3.70%4 15 24.59% 4,279 14.00%5 14 22.95% 6,148 20.30%6 8 13.11% 4,677 15.50%7 1 1.64% 4,439 14.70%Total 61 100.00% 30,279 100.00%

Number of CTPP Trees

Chico Street Tree Inventory

Site LocationsSite Locations

Participant tree planting site locations within the City of Chico.

Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExpected return rate of similar surveys is

30% (McLafferty, 2003)

21/37 (56%) of permit applicants returned surveys

98/248 (40%) of non-permit applicant participants returned surveys

Participant ResponseParticipant Response

Motivation for participation A Factor

(1) 2 3 4

Not a Factor

(5) N ValueBeautification 17 1 2 0 1 21Property Value 5 2 3 1 6 17Energy Savings 6 3 1 2 5 17Wildlife Habitat 5 2 2 1 6 16Privacy 1 0 2 2 8 13Shade 15 3 0 0 1 19"Free Tree" 10 2 4 1 0 17"Improve Neighborhood" 15 2 1 1 0 19

Question One: Please check off the reasons why you have participated in the City of Chico’s tree-planting program

Non-Participant ResponseNon-Participant Response

Reason for not participating in the CTPP and getting a street

treeA Factor

(1) 2 3 4

Not a Factor

(5) N -valueToo much trouble 20 4 3 4 24 55Not enough time 11 7 4 3 21 46City's responsibility? 12 3 5 4 24 48Government interaction? 6 4 4 3 28 45Unable to plant 15 0 2 5 27 49

Question 1. Why did you not participate in the CTPP?

Qualitative ResponsesQualitative Responses

Question #4 both questionnaires: comments or recommendations for future CTPP

Positive (34/44)“Keep doing it. As a participant I now have a

personal investment and interest in the welfare of our new tree.”

Negative (10/44)“We do not want any city trees.”

ConclusionConclusion95% maintenance behavior compliance rate

Over 60 trees planted

37 participants

RecommendationsRecommendations If possible, remove proof of homeowners

insurance requirement – umbrella insurance plan? Involve non-profits or utility companies

– Butte Environmental Council– PG & E

Create permanent internship– Provide transportation– Plant trees for those willing to water– Door hanging brochure

Thank you

The City of Chico’s Citizen The City of Chico’s Citizen Tree Planting ProgramTree Planting Program

“Thanks” or

“Leaf Me Alone”A 2012 Geography Department Master’s Project

By

Tristan E. Ragsdale