Urban Forestry

1. Nov 15, 2012 Urban Forestry In Fairfax County, VA

2. Overview • History/Biology/Physiology • Functions/Benefits/Costs • Policy and Ordinances • Tree Conservation in Fairfax County • Hazardous Trees • Proactive Hazard Management • Hiring Tree Care Professionals

3. Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Aligned with the Stormwater Business Area Formed in 1973 Areas of focus : • Tree Conservation during land development • Forest Pest Management • Tree Risk • Tree Action Plan Implementation Our Vision is to cultivate a healthy and functional urban forest and to educate and inspire the community to value, conserve and enhance that essential resource. Urban Forest Management Division

4. History The first land plants appeared In the Ordovician period, around 450 million years ago. Fungi appear around the same time

5. History Progymnosperms, the earliest-known trees, first appeared in the Middle Devonian (about 408 to 360 million years ago) During the Carboniferous period huge forests were established, containing a variety of plants and trees Archaeopteris, was the first modern tree. It had an extensive root system, produced leaves, grew to a height of 30 m plus, and had laterally growing branches

6. Why should our community be concerned?

7. Why are we concerned about Trees? Trees help sustain our environment and quality of life; but they also have a ‘dark side” that we must be aware of and do our best to mitigate. Tree failure can result in : • human fatalities • damage to infrastructure • power outages • traffic problems • negative economic/environmental impacts In fact normal tree growth can cause these problems if not managed properly

8. Policy concerning Trees Board’s Environmental Vision (2007) Growth and Land Use Air Quality and Transportation Water Quality Solid Waste Parks, Trails, Open Space Environmental Stewardship http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/environment/eip/bos_environmental_agenda.pdf

9. Policy concerning Trees Tree Action Plan (2007) • Strategies and actions to conserve and manage the County’s tree and forest resources • Core Recommendations • Engage and educate. • Build strong partnerships and alliances. • Optimize tree conservation in county policies. • Improve air quality and address climate change through tree conservation. • Improve water quality and stormwater management through tree conservation. • Use ecosystem management to improve and sustain the health and diversity of our urban forest. • Strengthen state-enabling authority for tree conservation. • Encourage sustainable design practices. • Plant and protect trees by streams, streets and trails. • Optimize tree conservation in land development. • Optimize tree conservation in utility and public facilities projects. • Support and refine the county's urban forestry programs http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/tap.htm

10. Local Tree-related OrdinancesFairfax County Chapter 120 • Heritage, Specimen, Memorial, and Street Tree Ordinance Chapter 122 • Tree Conservation Ordinance Public Facilities Manual • Section 12-000 Chapter 46 • Health or Safety Menace Zoning Ordinance • Article 13, Landscaping and Screening Chapter 104 • Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance Chapter 118 • Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance

11. What is Tree Conservation? Conservation (noun): “the wise use of a natural or cultural resource” • Preservation • Removal\Replacement\Expansion • Maximizing benefits • Minimizing risk and negative impacts

12. Tree Conservation Ordinance (Ch. 122) • Adopted October 20, 2008, effective January 1, 2009 • First local ordinance in Virginia based on § 15.2-961.1 • Premised on existing tree canopy requirements • Linked to Federal Air Quality Standards • State Code and local ordinance written with assistance from local/state building industry • 2009 NACo Achievement Award (best in the Environmental Protection and Energy category)

13. Tree Conservation Ordinance (Ch. 122) • Requires major land development to provide various minimal levels (10 to 30%) of tree canopy in 10-years time • Canopy can be provided through preservation or planting of trees • Information is presented on all major plan types • Applicable to zoning cases and by-right development • Reviewed and enforced by county staff

14. Hazardous Trees(Risk Assessment) “Abatement” of tree hazards • Limited to trees that threaten the public at large • Trees that threaten private property are civil issues • Program is complaint driven • County is reliant on the community to report hazards

15. Risk Assement Defect Types • External visible cracks • Ribs, bulges and fissures • Trunk or branch decay • Branch attachments and forks • Abnormal bark patterns • Overall architecture • Leans • Root and soil issues • Dead trees or component parts

16. Risk Management Oak @ 76 lbs per cu ft Hickory @ 64 lbs per cu ft Pines and spruce @ 34 lbs cu ft Average @ 40 to 60 lbs per. cu ft

17. Proactive Hazard Management Although rare in occurrence, the wind speeds associated with sever weather are capable of causing wide-spread damage to perfectly healthy trees. Taking steps to: select appropriate-sized tree varieties; locating new trees away from overhead utility lines; providing periodic maintenance for mature trees; and, the preemptive removal of dead and declining trees are all excellent choices that tree owners can make to help minimize disruption of utility services during severe weather events.

18. Proactive Hazard Management Fairfax County’s Public Website provides valuable information for property owners on the following topics: Tree Care and Tree Issues, Tree Planting, Tree Hazards and Safety Issues, Who Handles Hazardous Trees Situations in Fairfax County, and How to Hire an Arborist or Tree Care Company. For more information see the General Tree Information heading at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/for_cons.htm

19. Proactive Hazard Management The International Society of Arboriculture’s Trees are Good website provides well-written consumer-based advice on the numerous tree care topics such as Recognizing Tree Risks Avoiding Tree & Utility Conflicts Pruning Mature Trees Tree Selection and Placement This information is disseminated free of charge and comes as downloadable and printable brochures. The Urban Forest Management Division makes these brochures available at its office and during public outreach events. For more information see: www.treesaregood.com/treecare/treecareinfo.aspx

20. Hiring A Tree Care Professional ISA Certified Arborist ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist Get references from neighbors www.treesaregood.com