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Garden City Tree’s. Goals. Low VOC Power Line Friendly Drought Tolerant. Low VOC and Pollution Reduction . Most low emitting VOC trees are Evergreens (coniferous). As trees die and decompose they release up to 100% of stored pollution
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Goals • Low VOC • Power Line Friendly • Drought Tolerant
Low VOC and Pollution Reduction • Most low emitting VOC trees are Evergreens (coniferous). • As trees die and decompose they release up to 100% of stored pollution • Fallen Leaves/branches release pollution back into the atmosphere • Tree maintenance can be a contributor to pollution
Power Line Friendly • Keep trees short • Examples of policies • <25’ • Keep 10’ away from power poles
Coniferous Tree Benefits and Negatives • Keep absorbing pollution all year around • Energy Use • Make excellent wind blocks which reduce energy needs in winter • Negative: Can hurt in the summer months • Block summer sun to reduce A/C needs • Negative: Also blocks sun in the winter • Sound Absorbing • Less Clean-up from falling leaves
Deciduous Tree Benefits and Negatives • Safety: • Vision • Energy Use • Reduction in Summer and Winter month energy usage/demand (15-35% Less Energy) • Lose leaves and create a need for cleanup
How to measure Success • Tree canopy % Increase • Need to calculate current % and desired % • Ex: 40% East of Mississippi and 25% for West • Garden City could probably do a larger % with the Boise river
Street Trees • Right of Ways and Easements • Intersections • Vision Triangle • Cars & Newspaper stands create the biggest distraction • 14’ Maintenance • Intersections are the meeting place • Treeless intersections takes away from that feeling • See: “Street and Intersection Study”
Street Trees • Traffic Calming • between 3-15 MPH speed reduction • Reduces accidents • Makes roadway feel narrower • Accentuates signage • Create a safety buffer between cars and pedestrians • More rules and regulations = less trees
How to get it done • Volunteer groups • Business Groups on Board • Set goals and benchmarks • Use existing and/or Create Easements along roads? • Use tree planters to narrow roads • Encourage home owners to plant tree’s • Get children/students involved • Get’s parents involved • Tree workshops and tree care days with community
Good for Business • Getting business past the street frontage and sign issue • Traffic Calming effects of 3-15 MPH should help with business visibility • Pedestrian effects • Framing signage with trees can actually help
Good For Business • The scope and condition of a community's trees and, collectively, its urban forest, is usually the first impression a community projects to its visitors. A community's urban forest is an extension of its pride and community spirit. • Studies have shown that: • Trees enhance community economic stability by attracting businesses and tourists. • People linger and shop longer along tree-lined streets. • Apartments and offices in wooded areas rent more quickly and have higher occupancy rates. • Businesses leasing office spaces in developments with trees find their workers are more productive and absenteeism is reduced • http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#pavement