Heritage District Tree Survey

City of Irving Heritage District Street Tree Key Findings and Recommendations

Lorraine Taylor

Micah Pace, M.S.

Irving Heritage District Neighborhood Association

Regional Urban Forester Texas Forest Service

May 27, 2009 1

Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Overview Post Oaks and other native trees in the Heritage District are

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Trees are critical to our quality of life Trees provide real economic benefits Trees provide ecological services Post Oaks are important to our heritage The Heritage District urban forest is unique in Dallas County An urban forest within Heritage Crossing gives an authentic quality and will position the City of Irving as a leader in visionary urban design 2

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Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Project Description WHAT? – A public street tree survey was conducted on Saturday, March 21, 2009 – Data collected using peer-reviewed methodology developed by U.S. Forest Service WHERE? – Area of study was 1 square mile and 4.6 linear miles of public streets/rights-of-way – Bounded by South Britain Rd, South O’Connor Rd, Rock Island Rd, and Sixth Street GOALS: 1. Protect trees within the Irving Heritage District as it is redeveloped 2. Strengthen tree preservation provisions of the Heritage Crossing Design Guidelines 3. Demonstrate the value of our community forest resources 4. Identify strategies for long-term resource management 5. Establish an urban forestry program for the City of Irving WHO? – Heritage District Neighborhood Association – Texas Forest Service – Irving’s Green Advisory Committee – Keep Irving Beautiful

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Texas Master Naturalists Arborilogical Services, Inc. Tree Artistry Tree Services 50+ Volunteers Local businesses

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Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Key Findings 653 street trees were identified with a total replacement value of $5.6 Million Total Gross Annual Benefits for all trees across all benefit categories is $76,000 – Size does matter - Post Oaks represent 29% of all street trees and provide 50% of all benefits – Crapemyrtles represent 23% of street trees but provide 6% of the benefits Street trees represent a canopy coverage of 34% of total street/sidewalk area 63% of all trees were evaluated are in “Good” condition and 23% are “Fair” 42% of the street trees have a caliper of 24” or more 2.5% of all street trees are of critical concern and represent a public safety concern while 3.6% of all street trees require immediate removal

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Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey Define Objectives

STRATUM Process

Install STRATUM Choose Inventory Method Format/ Quality Check/ Convert Data to Access Import Access Database to STRATUM

Start STRATUM Project Define Data Inputs Report Results Interpret Results

Community Forest Management Plan

Use Existing Inventory

OR

Perform Sample Inventory

OR

Perform Full Inventory

Draw Random Sample

Map Sample Install i-Tree PDA Utility

Configure PDA Quality Check Collect Data Transfer Data to Desktop 6

Defin Objectiv e es Install STRATUM Choos Inventory e Method Forma Quality t/ Convert Data to Check/ Access Import Database Accessto STRATUM

Start Projec STRATUM t Define Input Data s Report Results Interpret Results Community Management Forest Plan

Generating & Interpreting Reports Use Invento Existing ry

OR

Perform Invento Sample ry

OR

Perform Invento Full ry

Draw Random Sampl e

Map Sample Install iTree PDA (Desktop and

Configur PDA e Quality Check Collect Data Transfer Data to Deskto p 7

Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Report Results

Resource Structure Analysis

Benefit Cost Analysis

Interpret Results

Community Management Forest Plan

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Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Recommendation to Council Amend the Heritage Crossing Design Guidelines before adoption to include following provisions: 4.

Require developments to follow construction guidelines set by an arborist that are conducive to preserving relic and other mature trees

6.

Require water permeable pavement within 6 feet of the drip line of relic and other mature trees (note that interlocking and decorative pavement is already included in the guidelines)

8.

Identify lots with Post and Blackjack Oaks that could be made into pocket parks in Heritage Crossing

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Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Recommendations to Management Create and/or maintain adequate structural complexity within the community forest resource 1. Plant and favor native, well adapted and long-lived species 2. Reduce over-reliance on too few species 3. Rejuvenate areas where even, old-aged stands exist

Increase and/or maintain the canopy coverage to maximize tree benefits 1. Selective removal and replacement of old and/or damaged trees 2. Fill-in plantable spaces with well adapted, large crowned, long-lived species 10

Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Recommendations to Management Establish sustainable pruning and maintenance program to increase tree health and thus benefits 1. 2. 3.

Improve young tree care Establish a pruning cycle wherein each tree is visited every 3-5 years Set pruning priorities to improve management efficiency and effectiveness

Follow the four required steps to become a Tree City U.S.A. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Hire professional forester/arborist and/or establish an urban forestry board Adopt a tree care ordinance Establish community forestry program with an annual budget of $2 per capita Develop an Arbor Day festival with proclamation

Establish a Formal Urban Forestry Program 11

185 yr old Post Oak in Heritage Park on Main Street This tree began growing ca 1823

Historical Events of 1823: 3. Jan 3rd - Stephen F. Austin receives a grant of land in Texas from the government of Mexico 5. May 10th - 1st steamboat to navigate the Mississippi River arrives at Fort Snelling 7. Dec 2nd - President James Monroe declares his "Monroe Doctrine" 91 yrs old at the 1914 Incorporation of Irving

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Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Questions?

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