Takoma Park TreesTakoma Park Trees

Where? What? When? Why?Where? What? When? Why?

ParametersParameters

► 2.5 square miles2.5 square miles► 42 miles of road42 miles of road► 17,000 residents17,000 residents► 4,000 street trees4,000 street trees► 1,240 park and 1,240 park and

parcel treesparcel trees► 250 removal 250 removal

permits annuallypermits annually► 100 protection 100 protection

permits annuallypermits annually

Original Inventory: Original Inventory: Davey Resource Group, 2001Davey Resource Group, 2001

► 4,697 trees, stumps and sites4,697 trees, stumps and sites► 58 genera 110 species58 genera 110 species► Quercus comprised 25% of inventory, Acer Quercus comprised 25% of inventory, Acer

16% and Prunus 7.2%16% and Prunus 7.2%► 38% <6, ~51% >6”but < 24”, 11% >24”38% <6, ~51% >6”but < 24”, 11% >24”► 61 trees Excellent, 2,197 Good, 1,570 Fair, 61 trees Excellent, 2,197 Good, 1,570 Fair,

462 Poor, and 37 dead.462 Poor, and 37 dead.► 157 recommended removals, 461 Hazard 157 recommended removals, 461 Hazard

Reduction Pruning, 3,709 maintenance Reduction Pruning, 3,709 maintenance pruningpruning

Flat files and mapsFlat files and maps

► Street tree data in Street tree data in spreadsheet formatspreadsheet format

►Web based forest Web based forest management management softwaresoftware Work order formsWork order forms Reports availableReports available Finance trackingFinance tracking

Learning GIS Data Learning GIS Data ManagementManagement

Transforming flat file datasets to georeferenced GIS information can require negotiating several corners, but it can be done.

After 6 years what was still good?

What parcels were what?

When 16 trees were on one lot?

How can faulty data be used/corrected?

Parks and municipal propertyParks and municipal property

► Tree in parks and Tree in parks and undeveloped undeveloped property were property were mapped using ESRImapped using ESRI

► Included all city Included all city owned parcels owned parcels excepting ROWsexcepting ROWs

► The same set of web The same set of web based management based management tools were available tools were available for this set of trees.for this set of trees.

ResourcesResources

► No field staff No field staff dedicated to tree dedicated to tree care care

► $110,000 budget for $110,000 budget for tree worktree work

► $10,000* plus $10,000* plus various fees for various fees for plantingplanting

► $15,000 for resource $15,000 for resource managementmanagement

Information requirementsInformation requirements

► Existing treesExisting trees► Existing tree spaces and Existing tree spaces and

limitationslimitations► Utilized tree spacesUtilized tree spaces► History of tree workHistory of tree work► History of tree spacesHistory of tree spaces► Requested tree workRequested tree work► Requested tree Requested tree

installationsinstallations► Special tree needsSpecial tree needs

Edited DataEdited Data

To make the data usable:To make the data usable:►GeoreferenceGeoreference► Refer to spaces not Refer to spaces not

treestrees► Relate to tree dataRelate to tree data► Create additional data Create additional data

sets with history of sets with history of trees including work or trees including work or requests for servicerequests for service

GEO Database DesignGEO Database Design► Site informationSite information

AddressAddress Which side of roadWhich side of road What block of roadWhat block of road What size spaceWhat size space Is there overhead conflict, undergroundIs there overhead conflict, underground Is it occupied (link to following table)Is it occupied (link to following table) History of trees in space (another linked table with perhaps other linked tables)History of trees in space (another linked table with perhaps other linked tables) Other issuesOther issues

► Information for current tree, if presentInformation for current tree, if present TypeType Date plantedDate planted SourceSource SizeSize Pruning\problems history (maybe another table with dates, amounts, contractor, Pruning\problems history (maybe another table with dates, amounts, contractor,

costs, reason)costs, reason)► Public complaints requestsPublic complaints requests

DateDate RequestRequest ResponseResponse

In the meantimeIn the meantime

► Use what we gotUse what we got►Work to enter dataWork to enter data► Edit incorrect data Edit incorrect data ►Make others aware Make others aware

of potentialof potential► Combine with other Combine with other

data sets for data sets for mapping and mapping and analysis.analysis.

Green waste, or gold ?Green waste, or gold ?Takoma ParkTakoma Park

Uses raw wood chips Uses raw wood chips from our trees for from our trees for mulch in some areasmulch in some areas

Buys locally Buys locally manufactured chips for manufactured chips for playgrounds and locally playgrounds and locally produced mulch for produced mulch for gardensgardens

Takoma Park Recycles yard waste Recycles yard waste

excepting grass excepting grass clippings for reuse clippings for reuse by TP citizens or by TP citizens or other people within other people within 10 miles10 miles

Cooperates with Cooperates with citizens desiring citizens desiring stove or fireplace stove or fireplace woodwood

Has been working with Woodmizer owners and Has been working with Woodmizer owners and other woodworkersother woodworkers