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Urban Forest Survey in Cortland, NY

This study explores the importance of urban forests, provides information on planting trees in urban areas, and highlights the results of a tree survey conducted in Cortland, NY in 2004. The survey aims to determine species composition, assess canopy condition, and map the urban forest. The findings can help inform urban forest management and planning.

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Urban Forest Survey in Cortland, NY

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  1. An Urban Forest Survey in Cortland, NYMatthew Germain, Eugene Moon, Undergraduate StudentsScott W. Anderson, Assistant Professor, GeographySteven B. Broyles, Professor, Biological Sciences Bio 319: Cortland Tree Survey Fall 2004

  2. An Urban Forest Survey in Cortland, NYImportance of Urban Forests • Trees bring the beauty of Nature back into our cities • Scenic drives, landscape design • Provide a shaded area to sit under at the park • Filtering of air pollutants • 9-13% of particles are filtered by trees • Trees replace carbon dioxide with oxygen in the air

  3. Provide public with the information on planting trees in urban forests Which trees can live in our environment Planting sites that are available Specific trees that can be planted near power lines City codes PLAN FOR MAINTENANCE! The first thing a community should do to manage and plan their urban forest is…..Conduct a tree survey How Can Urban Forests be Managed?

  4. Why Does Cortland Need an Urban Survey? • No information on urban forest. • Improper planting of trees • To close to fire hydrants • Underneath power lines • Recent discussion regarding NiMo pruning

  5. Cortland tree survey Bio 229 Fall semester of 2004 14 students 1 faculty member 4 community volunteers Our goals Determine species composition Map urban forest Assess condition of canopy and surrounding environment Assembling the Team

  6. Preparing for a Successful Tree Survey • Four weeks of intensive training • Two weekends of walking city streets measuring • Tree ID • DBH • Tree height • GPS coordinate

  7. Which Trees Were Targeted • City owned trees in the ROW • 24.5 ft from centerline on city streets • 49.5 ft on local highways • In 2004, park trees were not included in survey • Data collected entered in an excel sheet

  8. Tree Diversity • 1871 trees were surveyed • 53 different species Norway Maple Sugar Maple Red Maple Honey Locust Silver Maple

  9. Property Value of Most Abundant Street Trees • Basic value ($22 / basal area) • Species classification • Condition • Location • Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers

  10. Property Value of Most Abundant Street Trees • Norway Maple--$71,301 • Sugar Maple $690,171 • Red Maple--$124,027 • Honey Locust--$46,958 • Silver Maple--$273,107

  11. Frequency Distribution of DBH by Species Norway Maple Silver Maple Sugar Maple Honey Locust

  12. Percent Canopy Missing • <1% 55.5% • 1-10% 17.4% • 11-25% 10.8% • 26-50% 9.8% • 51-75% 4.5% • 76-99% 1.8% Category % of Trees

  13. Cortland City Big Trees • Summation (points) of • Trunk Circumference (inches) • Height (ft) • ¼ canopy width (ft) • National Tree Registry (www.americanforest.org)

  14. Cortland City Big Trees • 34 Alvena • Silver Maple • 281.9 points • 77 Port Watson • Red Oak • 273.4 points • 72 Evergreen • Silver Maple • 273.3 points • 59 Floral Ave. • Silver Maple • 253.9 points

  15. Interesting Street Trees • Horsechestnut on Chestnut St. • Weeping European beech on Church St. • Cercidiophylum on Belrose Ave. • Copper-leaved European beech on Stevenson St.

  16. Problems and Observations • Surveyor error • Trees growing up into power lines • Roots up heaving side walk • Trees planted to close to fire hydrants

  17. Future Directions • Complete City Survey in Fall 2005 • Identify Planting Sites • Urban Forest Effects Model (UFORE) • Air Pollution • Greenhouses Gases • Pollen • Building Energy Use

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