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Important Parts of a Well Managed Urban Forest
Urban trees provide many benefits to communities, but they also require care and management to maximize those benefits. There are four parts to managing your community's urban trees for their benefit and yours:
- A tree board is a group that is responsible for the oversight of the community forest. A tree board can be made up of municipal staff, local citizens, and/or tree care professionals. Responsibilities may include policy formulation, advising, administration, management, representation and/or advocacy.
- A tree ordinance will provide authority to the community to conduct forestry programs, establish a Tree Board, define municipal responsibility for public and private trees, pass regulations, and set minimum standards for management.
- Writing and implementing a management plan assists in the creation of a vision for the long-term community forest. It develops strategies, budgets and plans to meet that vision. It develops a tree inventory, which includes locations, species, site conditions, and management needs. A survey is necessary in order to develop a management plan.
- Keeping up with the newest science and best management practices and using professional staff or consultants is essential. Whether creating a staff position for a certified arborist or urban forester, or contracting with them on an as needed basis, professional assistance will have some of the greatest and most immediate impacts on your community forestry program. Professionals are trained in tree inventory, management planning, planting techniques, pruning and tree care, risk tree assessment, tree removal, tree pest and health issues and can train volunteers in appropriate management practices.
DEC urban foresters are available to help your community develop the components of a well managed community forest. For more information contact your local DEC office.
Community Forest Storm Mitigation Planning
Summer and winter storms can be costly for communities and cause major losses to our urban canopies. Healthy trees are stronger and more resilient to storms. Good tree care in your community will help reduce the cost of storm damage from downs limbs and trees.
The NY Urban Forestry Program worked to adapt the Community Forest Storm Mitigation Planning Workbook and Template from the Georgia Forestry Commission. These two documents can help your community organize important information and get prepared for future storms. For help with filling in the workbook and template, contact your local DEC office.
