Compendium of Best Management Practices for Canadian Urban Forests

Version française

 

Introduction and Purpose of this Compendium

Definition of Urban Forests

Brief History of Canadian Urban Forests

Benefits of Urban Forests

Urban Forest Practices
Strategic and Operational Management Planning
Enabling Legislation, Municipal By-laws and Regulations
Tree Inventory and the Tree Inspection Cycle
GIS and Other Technologies
Species Selection and Planting
Maintenance: Watering, Mulching, Fertilizing, Cabling, Bracing, Recognition/Removal of Hazard Trees
Pruning Practices
Hard Surface Planting
Management of Urban Woodlots and Parks
Tree Protection during Construction/Trees and Building Foundations
Abiotic Stresses of Urban Forests
Insects and Diseases of Urban Forests
Alien and Invasive Plant Species
Stormwater Management and Urban Forests
Fire and the Urban-Rural Interface
Hydro Line Management
Emergency Preparedness
Air Quality, Climate Change and Urban Forests
Economic Value/Appraisal of Trees
Awareness, Education and Stewardship

Miscellaneous Websites

Submissions

  
 
 

Introduction and purpose of this Compendium

Welcome to the first version of the Compendium of Best Management Practices for Canadian Urban Forests. Simply put, urban forests' time has come. As Canada moves into the 21st century, the 80%+ of Canadians who live in urban communities are increasingly concerned about the viability of their forests. And not just for aesthetic reasons, but for the many ecological, architectural, climatic, psychological and monetary reasons as well. These concerns are pushing the Canadian urban forest envelope like never before. Employment in urban forestry is at an all-time high. Urban forests are making their way into municipal and provincial legislation and into national strategic documents. Membership in urban forest organizations is at an all-time high. Municipalities are being increasingly engaged in strategic urban forest planning. Heritage tree protection is becoming widespread. Environmental and forestry conferences are increasingly including Canada's 9th Forest Region (its urban forests) in their discussions and agendas. Think of this document as the prototype to help you the practitioner with the very best in management practices to ensure that these forests flourish making Canada's cities that much more liveable and an even greater envy of the world. Use it well.
 
Michael Rosen, R.P.F.
Vice President, Tree Canada Foundation

January 2006 



Acknowledgements


We would like to thank the Canadian Forest Service, a sector of Natural Resources Canada, for sponsoring this project of the Tree Canada Foundation. We would also like to extend our appreciation to everyone who provided comments: Andy Kenney, David Domke, Tony Fleischmann, Mark Peterson, Stephen Smith, Julian Ambrosii and Bernard Kradjian.

– Adrina Bardekjian Ambrosii, Author 




PURPOSE OF THIS COMPENDIUM
 The purpose of the Compendium is to provide a web-based resource which outlines for municipalities, residents and elected officials some of the components and technical standards of a municipally-based urban forest program. Offering websites, links to on-line resources, initiatives and programs, the Compendium is a dynamic document. We welcome your suggestions for any new additions (or deletions) to the site (see the Submissions section).

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Definition of Urban Forests

According to the Canadian Urban Forest Strategy, most people envision endless expanses of closed canopies of mature trees when they think of a forest; but what comes to mind when we think of an urban forest? Trees in containers on sidewalks? Forests in ravines? Backyard trees on lot lines? In 1974 Jorgensen [1] defined the term urban forestry in 1974 as "a specialized branch of forestry and has in its objectives the cultivation and management of trees for their present and potential contribution to the physiological, sociological and economic well-being of urban [2] society.  These contributions include the over-all ameliorating effect of trees on their environment, as well as their recreational and general amenity value."
Deneke [3] expanded on the term:
"Urban forestry is the sustained planning, planting, protection, maintenance, and care of trees, forests, greenspace and related resources in and around cities and communities for economic, environmental, social, and public health benefits for people. The definition includes retaining trees and forest cover as urban populations expand into surrounding rural areas and restoring critical parts of the urban environment after construction. Expansion at the urban/rural interface raises environmental and public health safety concerns, as well as opportunities to create educational and environmental links between urban people and nature. In addition, urban and community forestry includes the development of citizen involvement and support for investments in long-term on-going tree planting, protection, and care programs." 
 
Over the years, many other definitions have been proposed, however they all recognize that the urban forest does not stop at the city limits.  Urban forestry embraces the management of trees as well as the associated biotic and abiotic components in small communities and the interstitial areas between.  If the traditional view of forestry focuses on the sustained production of forest products and ecological services in a wildland context then urban forestry focuses on the provision of a wide array of economic, environments and social services to urban society.
Urban Forests: An Important Part of Our Heritage (Federation of Ontario Naturalists)
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Brief History of Canadian Urban Forests

The history of Canada and the history of its forests are very much intertwined: from the use of the forest by First Nations, the colonization by Europeans, the era of logging white pine for the British navy, the expansion of land clearing in the 1800s to the birth of the conservation movement at the turn of the last century. It was during this last era that Canadian urban forests began. The development of the major park systems in Canada often incorporated forest elements: Stanley Park in Vancouver (created in 1888), High Park in Toronto (1873), Parc Mont-Royal in Montreal (1876) and Point Pleasant Park in Halifax (1866) all prominently featured aspects of the Coast, Deciduous, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and Acadian Forest Regions. However, aside from roadside planting projects and the most rudimentary protection of natural forests within the scenario of a suburbanizing Canada, no major efforts to develop urban forest programs in Canada were developed until the 1960s, when Dutch Elm Disease struck. Here, the effects of invasive pathogens and monoculture plantings came to roost as thousands of kilometres of roadsides were affectively denuded as a result of the effects of the disease. This resulted in a chain of events which quickly developed urban forestry, including:
- The term "urban forests" by Prof. Erik Jorgensen and the creation of and urban forest program at the University of Toronto in the 1970s;
- The support from 1972-1979, by the Canadian Forest Service of the urban forest program "A Forest for Man"; 
- The International Urban Forestry Conference at Laval University in 1979 (Canada's first);
- The rapid expansion in the 1980s of municipal forestry departments throughout Canada;
- The 1st Canadian Urban Forest Conference in Winnipeg in 1993;
- The first definition of urban forests in legislation in Ontario's Professional Foresters Act 2000;
- The formation of the CANUFNET listserve for urban foresters as a result of the 5th Canadian Urban Forest Conference in 2003;
- The integration of urban forests in the National Forest Strategy 2003-2008; and
- The formation of the Canadian Urban Forest Network in 2004.
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Benefits of Urban Forests

Protecting and conserving urban forests through proper management is vital to sustaining healthy communities. Urban forests provide a multitude of benefits from an ecological, climatic, architectural, psychological and monetary point of view. They provide habitat and food sources for wildlife, cooler watercourses, mitigate noise and dust levels, improve air and water quality, absorb pollutants, sequester carbon and help conserve energy. Understanding the functions, values and services that urban forests provide are integral to their successful management.
 
Websites & Resources
Identified Benefits of Community Trees and Forests from Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
Benefits of Urban Trees (Tree Canada) 
Urban Forests: An Important Part of our Natural Heritage (Ontario Nature)
 
Bibliographical Resources
Kuo, F. (2003). The role of arboriculture in a healthy social ecology. Journal of Arboriculture, Vol. 29 (3), pp. 148-155.
McPherson, G. (2000). Urban Forestry Issues in North America and Their Global Linkages. Western Center for Urban Forest Research and Education, Pacific Southwest Research Station: Davis, CA.
Westphal, L. (2003). Urban greening and social benefits: a study of empowerment outcomes. Journal of Arboriculture, Vol. 29 (3), pp. 137-147.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Urban Forest Practices

The following components are essential considerations for effectively developing and implementing an urban forest program. Each practice is supplemented with website links, online documents and resources. This resource is dynamic and we welcome any new additions to the site (see Submissions section).
 
Urban Forestry Best Management Practices for Ontario Municipalities, ISA Ontario

Forestry Commission: Handbook 5 (1989). Urban Forestry Practice. HMSO Publications Centre, London, England.
 

Strategic and Operational Management Planning

Conservation of trees in the urban environment can only be achieved effectively through the development and implementation of a strategic urban forest management plan that standardizes policies and practices surrounding activities related to trees. Many recommendations have been described (Kenney 1996; Nilsson 2000; Konijendijk 1999; Tschantz and Sacamano 1994; Pouyat and Zipperer 1992; Matheny and Clark 1998) and include: increasing the number of healthy trees and sustaining existing canopy cover, building a basic understanding of ecological principles within the human community, establishing region wide policies and standards for best management practices, developing and implementing strategic management plans based on tree inventories and GIS technologies, undertaking more research on the value of the ecological benefits provided by the urban forest, and; implementing functional urban design strategies that consider benefits such as corridors and shade.
A municipality's strategic urban forest plan attempts to bring together a number of diverse elements in one cohesive document. These elements include:

- Planning, maintenance and protection of trees and how these are linked to the municipalities' Official Plan
- Detailing of responsibilities in Parks, Public Works,
- Bylaw Control and Advisory Committees of the municipality
- Details of tree  inventory, standards for planting, and pruning, pest control, protection during construction, and what operations the municipality is responsible for, and
- Private tree issues, education and regulation
- A plan that encompasses a long-term vision with short-term goals is necessary for the conservation and management of urban trees.

 
Websites
The Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Model
Queens University Urban Forest Plan
Environmental Best Management Practices for Urban and Rural Land Development in BC
City of Toronto; Healthy Trees for a Beautiful City, Staff Symposium
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Town of Oakville, ON: Our Solution to Our Pollution
City of Prince George, BC: Urban Forest Management Plan
Towards an Urban Forest Stewardship Strategy for Southern Vancouver Island
Neighbourhood Design Options Study: City of Saskatoon, SK
Trees Count: Friends of the Don East, Toronto, ON
Regina Urban Forest Management Strategy: City of Regina, SK
Overview of the Natural Areas Management Plan: Strategic Directions, City of Surrey
Urban Foresters in Big Picture Planning
A Model for Urban Forest Sustainability
Hazard Tree Operational Procedures: Toronto Region Conservation Authority
 
Non-Canadian sites and resources
Connecting People with Ecosystems in the 21st Century: an Assessment of our Nation's Urban Forests (USA)
Municipal Forest Management, USDA Forest Service
Tree Management Manual: Town of Lexington, Massachusetts (.PDF)
Urban Forestry Manual, USDA Forest Service
Tree Risk Assessment Management Plan, USDA Forest Service (.PDF)
Urban Forest Management Tools, USDA Forest Service
Restoring the Urban Forest Ecosystem, University of Florida
A Scientific Framework for Managing Urban Natural Areas, University of Florida
Conserving Wooded Areas in Developing Communities: Best Management Practices in Minnesota
Best Management Practices for Community Trees: A Technical Guide to Tree Conservation, Athens-Clarke County, Georgia (.PDF)
A Guide: Developing a Street and Park Tree Management Plan, USDA Forest Service (.PDF)
U.S. Air Force Urban Forest Management Plan
A Technical Guide to Developing Urban Forest Strategic Plans & Urban Forest Management Plans
Urban Forestry: Mississippi Urban and Community Forestry Management Manual (.PDF)
50-year Strategic Plan for Kern County Community Forests (.PDF)
Excellent City Park System: What Makes it Great and How to Get There (.PDF)
 
Bibliographical Resources
Federation of Ontario Naturalists (2002). A Smart Future for Ontario: How to Protect Nature and Curb Urban Sprawl in Your Community. Toronto, ON. October 2002.
Greenwood, J., Soulos, G., Thomas, N. (2000). Under cover: Guidelines for shade planning and design. NSW Cancer Council and NSW Health Department Sydney, 1998.
Harris, R., Clark, J., Matheny, N. (2004). Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, 4th Edition. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaigne, IL. 578 pp.
Pouyat, R., and Zipperer, W. (1992). The Uses and Management of Urban Woodlands. In: Proceedings of the Fifth National Urban Forest Conference. Rodbell, P. (editor).  American Forestry Association, pp 26-29.
Smith, D., Mutton, M. (1993). Establishing a naturalized area: A step-by-step guide to planning and installing a natural area on the school grounds. Green Teacher, Vol. 34, pp. 33-36.
van Wassenaer, P. and Kenney, A. (2002). Strategic Urban Forest Management Planning. Faculty of Forestry. University of Toronto.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Enabling Legislation, Municipal By-laws and Regulations

In Canada, legislation is enacted and enforced at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Because the urban forest is largely managed at the municipal level, it is the municipalities who enact and enforce legislation regarding trees on both municipal and private land. Municipalities can pass these laws only under the authority of enabling legislation from the province (municipalities being creations of the provinces). Some common elements of tree cutting bylaws include:

- Regulating tree protection during construction activities, hydro utility practices, and damaging practices by residents (topping etc.)
- Heritage trees for protection
- Building envelope placement, tree preservation plans, permits, replacement trees etc.

Legal precedents in Canada regarding trees on private and public property involve the joint ownership between private landowners and municipalities (Dunster and Murray 1995) Tree by-laws clearly state prohibited activities, exemptions, processes and enforcement through fixed fines and penalties.
 
Websites
York Region, ON: Forest Conservation By-law
City of Toronto, ON: Private Tree By-law
City of Mississauga, ON: Tree By-law
City of Calgary, AB: Tree Protection By-law
City of Thunder Bay, ON: Tree By-law
City of Charlottetown, PEI: Urban Beautification and Forestry
West Coast Urban Growth and Development
Ontario Forestry Act
City of Kitchener, ON: Tree Management Policy
Vancouver Parks and Recreation: Street Tree Management Program
St. John's, NF: Tree By-law
City of Kingston, ON: Tree Conservation By-law
City of Montreal, QC: Point-Clair
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
City of London, ON: Tree Protection By-law
Town of Oakville, ON: Tree Protection Policy
City of Kingston, ON: Tree Conservation By-law
City of Edmonton, AB: Tree By-law
City of Guelph, ON: Tree By-law
City of Kelowna, BC: Municipal Properties Tree By-law
City of Burnaby, BC: Tree By-law
City of Vancouver, BC: Street Tree By-law
City of Surrey, BC: Urban Forest Management Policy
City of Owen Sound, ON: Tree Preservation Policy
Tree By-law Assessment Project for the City of North Vancouver
Integrated Pest Management Policy: Edmonton, AB
Dutch Elm Disease By-law: City of Edmonton, AB
York Region Forest Conservation By-law
Report on Tree Conservation By-Laws in Southern Ontario
Hazard Tree Policy: Toronto Region Conservation Authority
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
City of Seattle Tree Management Policy (.PDF)
The Maryland Forest Conservation Act (.PDF)
Guidelines for Developing and Evaluating Tree Ordinances, USDA and ISA (.PDF)
City of Palo Alto, Standard Specification for street tree planting (.DOC)
 
Bibliographical Resources
Dunster, J., Murray, S. (1995). Arboriculture and the Law in Canada. International Society of Arboriculture. Vancouver, BC. 225 pp.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Tree Inventory and the Tree Inspection Cycle

The foundation of an effective urban forest management program is a detailed tree inventory. A tree inventory provides information such as tree health, species, size and location; this information is used to generate reports that can help urban foresters in their strategic planning. Inventory data can be used to identify species diversity and distribution, percentage of canopy cover, size/class distribution, etc. Coupled with an inventory, a tree inspection cycle is integral for proper tree maintenance and hazard abatement. Effective tree monitoring enables park managers, urban foresters and planners to evaluate the urban forest resource and develop short and long-term initiatives which can in turn provide substantial cost savings and mitigate safety issues.
 
Websites
Implementing a Street Tree Inventory, Niagara, ON
Neighbourwoods© Tree Inventory Report: Friends of the Don East, ON
Big Tree Inventory: Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR), North Vancouver, BC
Trees Count: Hamilton, ON Tree Inventory
Hazard Trees, Forest and Shade Tree Pathology
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
The Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Model: Field Data Collection Manual
STRATUM application for the City of North Vancouver: Methodology and Procedures
A Tree Inventory Management Plan for the Toronto District School Board
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
STRATUM software, USDA Forest Service
The Tree Inventory, West Hartford, CT
A Guide to Street Tree Inventory Software, USDA Forest Service
Tree People: Urban Tree Census, Beverly Hills, CA
NeighbourWoods for Better Cities, Frederiksberg, Denmark (.PDF)
Tree Inventories and GIS in Urban Forestry Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (.PDF)
Recognizing Tree Hazards, ISA
How to Recognize Hazardous Defects in Trees, USDA Forest Service
CITYgreen (American Forests)
Urban Tree Risk Assessment: A Community Guide to Program Design and Implementation (USDA)
Tree Inspection, Pacific Northwest, USA
i-Tree tools
 
Bibliographical Resources
Head, C. (2001). Community Tree Program. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia: Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County: Landscape Management Division.
Kenney, A, Puric-Mladenovic, D. (2001). Neighbourwoods© Tree Inventory Manual. Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto.
Matheny, N., Clark, J. (1994). A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, IL. 85 pp.
Phillips, L.  (1979). Implementing A Street Tree Inventory and Planning System. Weeds, Trees and Turf.  pp.18-20, 22-23.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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GIS and Other Technologies

In recent years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other technologies have been increasingly used in urban forest management. A GIS is a database where the output generated is a visual representation of the geographic relationships of that information. The potential for mapping trees has many implications for forest management and education; vector and raster techniques can be used in the digital representation of the geographic data to display and analyze various attributes based on specific objectives (e.g. being able to generate a map displaying underground and overhead infrastructure with elevation data for a proposed planting site; or, coupled with tree inventory data, being able to model sun angle diagrams in relation to existing vegetation or buildings to increase shade provision at a given site, etc.). Other technologies include more sophisticated equipment, hardware and software for dendrology, soil and tree core sampling, leaf area and crown density monitoring, geographic positioning systems (GPS), etc. With the age of technology upon us, the benefit to having access to these tools often proves to be more time efficient and effective in management planning.
 
Websites
Regent Instruments Image Analysis System for Plant Science
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Canada
Vegetation Modeling for Environmental Visualization  
Virtual Terrain Project
SMODT, ArcTrees, and Tree Modules
List of Software Developers in Canada
City of Toronto; Toronto Mono Viewer
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
GPS / GIS Tools and Tree Inventory
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
American Forests: CITYgreen software
Handheld Technologies for Urban Forestry (.PDF)
Tree Keeper, DAVEY Resource Group
GIS Assessment of Munich's Urban Forest Structure for Urban Planning (.PDF)
Using GIS to assess urban tree canopy benefits and surrounding greenspace distributions (.PDF)
i-Tree Technologies
ParkScan: Neighbourhood Parks Council
Mobile Community Tree Inventory (MCTI)
Using GIS to Determine Critical Forest Areas for Protection Based on Desired Community Benefits
 
Bibliographical Resources
Chor, P.L. (2002). Concepts and Techniques in Geographic Information Systems. New York: Prentice Hall.
Falconer, A., Foresman, J. (Eds.). (2002). A System for Survival: GIS and Sustainable Development. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press.
Malone, L., Palmer, A., Voigt, C. (2003). Teacher's Guide: Community Geography: GIS in Action.  Redlands, CA: ESRI Press.
Towle, K. (2002). Using GIS to Identify and Evaluate Forest Conservation and Restoration Opportunities in an Urbanizing Landscape. Poster Presentation. 5th Canadian Urban Forest Conference Oct. 7-9, Region of York, Ontario.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Species Selection and Planting

Selecting the appropriate tree species and location for planting is imperative to sustaining a healthy urban forest, providing for a cost effective urban forest program and providing acceptable urban forest solutions to neighbourhoods and communities. The right tree in the right place should always be the urban foresters' modus operandi. Tree species should be considered based on aesthetic appeal, hardiness zone, size, form and site conditions of the growing location. To minimize conflicts and reduce maintenance needs, trees should be visualized at full functional size when surveying a potential site for planting. Selecting a tree that is well suited to the soil conditions, light availability, pedestrian traffic, drainage, space and microclimate of the specific site is essential to its long-term survival and public safety.
 
Websites
Vancouver Street Tree Planting Program
City of Calgary Forever Green Planting Program
Guide to Tree Planting, Tree Canada Foundation
Planting a Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tree Planting Guide: City of Kelowna, BC
Native Trees Database: Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
Tree Planting Program: City of Toronto, ON
Tree Planting on School Grounds, Ottawa, ON
Tree Planting on Public Property: City of Edmonton, ON
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Alberta Tree Species Rating Guide, ISA
Tree Planting Guidelines for Rural Areas: Municipality of Thames Centre, ON
Tree Planting: Hydro Ottawa
Buying High-Quality Trees
Maintaining Healthy Urban Trees, Landowner Resource Centre (Ontario)
Tree Planting Guidelines, City of London, ON
Choosing the Right Tree: A Landowner's Guide to Putting Down Roots
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Trees for Urban Planting: Diversity, Uniformity, and Common Sense, USDA (.PDF)
Selecting, Planting and Caring for a New Tree: A Technical Guide (.PDF)
How to Plant a Tree, Virginia Department of Forestry
Seattle Street Tree Planting Procedures (.PDF)
Planting Trees in Designed and Built Community Landscapes
New Tree Planting, ISA
Tree Selection, ISA
Buying High-Quality Trees, ISA
A Guide to Planting and Caring for Trees in Kern County, USA
Planting Techniques for Trees and Shrubs, North Carolina State University
Urban Tree Foundation: Planting a Tree

Choose the Right Tree and the Right Location, Virginia Department of Forestry

Selecting and Planting Landscape Trees
Planting Trees Correctly
Planting Trees Correctly to Ensure Their Success
Trees Not to Plant - Headache Trees
Tree Selection, Kennewick, WA 
How to Plant a Tree, Portland, Oregon
SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute, Cal Poly State University
 
Bibliographical Resources
Farrar, J. (1995). Trees in Canada. Canadian Forest Service.
Gilman, E. (1996). Trees for Urban and Suburban Landscapes. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, IL. 662 pp.
Moll, G. and Young, S. (1992). Growing Greener Cities: A Tree Planting Handbook. Global ReLeaf. Living Planet Press and American Forestry Association, Los Angeles, CA, 126 pp.
ORTHO Books (1982). All About Trees. Chevron Chemical Company.
Watson, G., Himelick, E. (1997). Principles and Practice of Planting Trees and Shrubs. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaigne, IL. 200 pp.

Francophone Websites and Resources 

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Maintenance: Watering, Mulching, Fertilizing, Cabling, Bracing, Recognition/Removal of Hazard Trees

The greatest stress on newly-planted (and sometimes established) trees is water stress. Watering can be the most important part of tree maintenance. Related to watering, mulching acts to conserve water on site, keep mowing equipment from damaging trees and minimizes compaction: a common problem in urban soils. Fertilizing urban trees is a common practice to ensure that proper nutrients are available to the tree in nutrient-poor city soils. Cabling involves the installation of wires high in the canopy to allow one tree's branches to support another. Bracing is the installation of large bolts to keep trees from splitting open. Recognizing and removing hazard trees is an important part of urban forest management.
 
Websites
The Green Pages of the Montreal Botanical Garden
Tree Watering Tips: City of Edmonton, AB
Watering Your Tree: City of Ottawa, ON
Care of Evergreens, Agriculture and Agri-care Canada
Preparing Trees and Shrubs for Winter
Care and Maintenance
Street Tree Removal: Vancouver, BC
Trees and Foundation Damage
Elm Tree Care
Tree and Shrub Fertilization
How to Install a Direct Cabling System in Ornamental Trees
Fertilizing Shade Trees
Helping Your Trees Survive Storm Damage (CMHC)
Tree Care Guide: Manitoba Hydro
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Maintaining Healthy Urban Trees, Landowner Resource Centre (Ontario)
Hazard Tree Operational Procedures: Toronto Region Conservation Authority
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Proper Mulching Techniques, ISA
Trees and Turf, ISA
Watering Trees
Fall and Winter Watering
Watering Newly Planted Trees
Preparing Trees for Winter, Seattle, WA
Winter Tree Watering Guidelines for Denver
Mulching Trees is Good and Bad
Mulches, University of Florida
Fertilizing Urban Trees, State of Maine, US
Tree Fertilization: A Guide for Fertilizing New and Established Trees in the Landscape, University of Minnesota
Fertilizing, Kennewick, WA 
Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs, Virginia Polytechnic University
Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs: Plant Culture and Maintenance
Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape, University of New Hampshire
Basic Care and Diagnostics for Mature Trees and Shrubs (.PPT)
 
Bibliographical Resources
Siewert, A., Siewert, A., Rao, B., Marion, D. (eds.) (2003). Tree and Shrub Fertilization: Proceedings from an International Conference on Tree and Shrub Fertilization. International Society of Arboriculture. 164 pp.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Pruning Practices

The most common tree maintenance practice is pruning, representing 62% of daily activities in the field. There are several reasons to prune urban trees: to prevent branches from falling on objects or people, to allow remaining branches to bear more weight; to improve the health and quality of the tree by removing damaged, dead, diseased or crossed branches; to control the size and shape of the tree; to correct for storm damage; and clearance from hydro and other utilities. The most widely recognized reason for pruning urban trees is for safety. Pruning can reduce tree size and affect the health of a tree as a result of tissue removal. Reduction of leaf, shoot, or root volumes and the carbohydrate and nutrient reserves they contain directly disrupts and limits potential growth. Ultimate effects of pruning on tree growth and size must be considered in relation to tree age, growth and fruiting habits, stage of tissue development, and the environment to which the tree is exposed (Kozlowski 1991).
 
Websites
Pruning advice: City of Edmonton
Training and Pruning Apple Trees: University of McGill
Pruning Trees and Shrubs: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Pruning Trees and Shrubs: Natural Resources Canada
Tree Pruning: City of Moose Jaw, SK
Pruning Trees: A Step-by-Step Guide: Toronto, ON
Pruning and Repairing Damage to Shade Trees: Ottawa, ON
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Maintaining Healthy Urban Trees, Landowner Resource Centre (Ontario)

Non-Canadian sites & resources
How to Prune Trees, USDA Forest Service
How to Prune a Tree, Virginia Department of Forestry
Pruning to Promote Strong Branches, Virginia Department of Forestry
Follow Proper Pruning Techniques
Pruning Young Trees, ISA
Pruning Mature Trees, ISA
Urban Tree Foundation: Pruning Landscape Trees
Pruning: Kennewick, WA 
Tree Pruning Guide: Seattle, WA (.PDF)
Pruning and Training Small Trees and Shrubs (.PPT)
Crown Pruning Effects on Roots (.PDF)
 
Bibliographical Resources
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record. Pruning Techniques. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Inc. New York, New York, 1991. 96 p.
Clair-Maczulajtys, D., Le Disquet, I., Bory, G. Pruning Stress: Changes in the tree physiology and their effects on the tree health. Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Arbre, Université Paris, France. Symposium on urban tree health, Acta Hort 496. ISHS 1999.
Coder, Kim. Pruning effects on tree growth: Growth regulation consequences. University of Georgia. January 1998.
Gilman, Edward. Trees for Urban and Suburban Landscapes: An Illustrated Guide to Pruning. Delmar: Thomson Learning Inc. Scarborough, Ontario, 1997. 178 p.
Kozlowski, Theodore, Kramer, Paul, Pallardy, Stephen. The Physiological Ecology of Woody Plants. Academic Press, San Diego, California. 1991. 657 p.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Hard Surface Planting

One of the most persistent challenges in urban forestry is the ongoing battle between tree roots and pavement. Trees planted close to hard surfaces such as pavement, asphalt, concrete, etc. often suffer from soil volume restriction that leads to root damage and girdling as well as pavement lifting, creating safety hazards for pedestrians. Management practices include planting appropriate tree species, installing covers or grates over planting pits that accommodate tree growth; planting ground covers around tree trunks to reduce foot traffic and compaction; using an appropriate soil medium to encourage deep, tree root growth, constructing continuous channels that connect individual planting pits; and planning for and providing adequate irrigation. A variety of methods have been developed and implemented to increase tree survival in hard surfaces by using the best possible planting method for a given site.
 
Websites
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Tree cover, impervious surfaces, and riparian buffer analyses in the mid-Atlantic region
Mapping Impervious Surfaces and Forest Canopy Using CART Analysis
Tree Planting Guidelines for Urban Areas, Municipality of Thames Centre, ON
Structural Soils: A New Medium to Allow Urban Trees to Grow in Pavement
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Trees for Parking Lots and Paved Areas, Virginia Polytechnic University
Deep Root Products, USA
Structural Soils, Urban Horticulture Institute, Cornell University
Forest Cover, Impervious Surface Area and the Mitigation of Urbanization Impacts
Structural Soil™: a medium under pavement that improves street tree vigor, Cornell University
References for Structural Soil, Cornell University (.PDF)
 
Bibliographical Resources

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Management of Urban Woodlots and Parks

Urban woodlots and parks provide wildlife habitat, maintain soil and water quality, are aesthetically appealing and provide a huge amount of human recreational opportunities. There are a number of factors which forest managers must be cognizant of in the management of wooded areas in an urban context. They include:
- Forest soil compaction: using techniques to restrict traffic in urban woodlots to specific roads and trails
- Invasive species: controlling non-native invasive plant species from displacing native vegetation
- Safety: recognizing hazardous trees and removing them to keep wooded areas safe for people as well as employing techniques to ensure that sight lines are maintained within wooded areas to ensure visitors have a safe and happy experience
Management practices include planting buffer strips to mitigate compaction, pruning to clear sight lines and implementing monitoring programs.
 
Websites
Guide for Basic Woodlot Management Plan, Agriculture Food and Rural Development, AB
Woodlot Management Planning, Agriculture Food and Rural Development, AB
Woodlot Management Publications, Southern Manitoba
Ecological Woodlot Management, Carolinian Canada
Woodlot License Management Plan, Ministry of Forests and Range, BC
Woodlot Management Home Study Program, NS
Woodland Management Planning, BC
Ecological Woodlot Management, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
Ontario Woodlot Association
Grey County Woodlot Association, ON
Best Management Practices Manual for Manitoba's Private Woodlots
Woodlots Canada
Urban Parks Management Plan, Edmonton, AB
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Managing Your Woodland, Canadian Forest Service, BC
Private Woodlot Management in the Maritimes
Woodlot Protection Strategy, City of Vaughan, ON
Forest Management Plan Preparation, PEI
Woodlot Management Resources, Forest Shop
Sustainable Practices for the Oak Ridges Moraine, ON
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Why Manage Your Woodlot? (Michigan State University)
Shoreland Woodlot Best Management Practices, University of Minnesota
North Dakota Forestry Best Management Practices (.PDF)
EarthWorks Urban Wilds Program, Roxbury, MA
Resource Protection Mission: Urban Wilds and Natural Areas, City of Boston, MA
Sustainable Forestry Woodlot Management Teacher Resources, Penn State University
 
Bibliographical Resources
Hilts, S. and Mitchell, P. (1999). The Woodlot Management Handbook: Making the Most of Your Wooded Property for Conservation, Income or Both. Firefly Books. 282 pp.
Hilts, S. and Mitchell, P. (1997). Taking Stock: Preparing an Inventory of Your Woodland. Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, University of Guelph. 46 pp.
Southern Ontario Woodlands: The Conservation Challenge. Federation of Ontario Naturalists. 1999. 164 pp.
Twolan-Strutt, L (1995). Wetlands and Woodlots. North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada). 24 pp.
 

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Tree Protection during Construction/Trees and Building Foundations

Experts agree that tree protection during construction is more important (and less expensive) than tree expansion (see Species Selection and Planting section) programs after the fact. Construction activities such as paving, sidewalk installations, excavation, and road widening can severely affect existing trees. Some areas of impact are root cutting, branch abrasions and trunk fractures; these injuries can lead to rot and decay, structural damage, canopy loss or tree death. Properly valuing green space and implementing a strategy to monitor, sample, measure and protect vegetation is critical to urban development preceding the construction stages to effectively preserve the urban forest and maintain its integrity. Similarly, there exists a wealth of information on the complex relationship between trees and building foundations as they relate to soil types, surface drainage practices and the variation between species of trees.
 
Websites
Save Your Trees, Ontario Urban Forest Council (Ontario)
Tree Protection Guidelines: City of Ottawa, ON
Why Tree Protection Plans? City of Calgary, AB
Tree Guidelines: City of Burnaby, BC
Trees and Development: City of Vancouver, BC
Tree Protection Standards: City of Thunder Bay, ON
Guidelines to Prevent Tree Damage in a Construction Zone
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Development Guidelines for Landscape Construction: Calgary, AB
Tree Protection Plan: City of Calgary, AB
City of Toronto: Tree Protection Policy and Specifications for Construction near Trees
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Avoiding Tree Damage during Construction, ISA
City of Seattle: Tree Protection and Development
Tree Preservation and Protection
How to Keep Development from Killing Trees
Tree Preservation Ordinance: City of Pleasanton, CA
Urban and Peri-urban Forests in a Development Context: Strategy and Implementation (.PDF)
How to Prevent Construction Damage
Protecting Trees from Construction Damage: A Homeowner's Guide (.PDF)
The Hazard Tree Web Page, USDA Forest Service
 
Bibliographical Resources
Despot, D., Gerhold, H. (2003). Preserving trees in construction projects: Identifying incentives and barriers. Journal of Arboriculture, Vol. 29 (5). pp. 267-275.
Grahn, P., Stigsdotter, U. (2003). Landscape Planning and Stress. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, Vol. 2, pp. 1-18.
Matheny, Nelda and Clark, James. Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees during Land Development. International Society of Arboriculture, 1998. 162 p.
Watson, G., Neely, D. (1995). Trees and Building Sites: Proceedings of an International Conference Held in the Interest of Developing a Scientific Basis for Managing Trees in Proximity to Buildings. International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, IL. 191 pp.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Abiotic Stresses of Urban Forests

Trees planted in the urban environment are often unable to reach their full genetic potential due to unfavourable conditions. Common stresses include soil compaction, salt and air pollution, mechanical injuries and drought. Other environmental stresses include shading and competition for water and nutrients, and artificial light sources (street lamps). A consistent issue in most cities is compaction and the lack of soil volume in sidewalk plantings. Soil compaction in high traffic areas impedes on the root system performing its physiological functions of absorbing water and minerals. Although trees adapt to their environment by adjusting their growth patterns, tactics to promote and improve tree health, such as raising the root ball, spreading a layer of mulch and implementing a watering schedule to suit drainage conditions can greatly increase tree survival. There are a number of techniques and products available to city foresters to assist them in planting in these harsh and unnatural locations.
 
Websites
Understanding and Dealing with Interactions Between Trees, Sensitive Clay Soils and Foundations
Taking Care of Your Trees: Eight Common Abuses of Trees
Some Tree Troubles Not Caused by Insects or Diseases, University of Saskatchewan
Abiotic Diseases, Forest and Shade Tree Pathology
Forest and Shade Tree Pathology, General
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Synthesis of Best Practices Road Salt Management
Drought Stress Problems in Edmonton's Forest, City of Edmonton
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Lawnmower Blight
Early Fall Cold Snap Can Lead to Damage on Landscape Plants
Hot Weather and Leaf Scorch on Trees
When Strong Winds Uproot Trees
Tree Health Problems Related to Environmental Stress
Tree Moisture Stress and Insect Damage in Urban Areas in Relation to Heat-Island Effects, Lincoln, Nebraska (.PDF)
Solving Abiotic Tree Problems, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Bacterial Leaf Scorch of Urban Trees, Washington, DC (.PDF)
Root Morphology and Conflict Stresses, University of Minnesota
 
Bibliographical Resources
Costello, L., Perry, E., Matheny, N., Henry, M., Geisel, P. (2003). Abiotic Disorders. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, IL. 242 pp.
 

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Insects and Diseases of Urban Forests

Trees in the urban environment suffer from many stresses that make them susceptible to insects and diseases. Even though most insect species are valuable to trees, some insects can injure trees and weaken structure by defoliating crowns, sucking sap and boring into bark. As such, insects can be categorized by their method of feeding: chewing, sucking or boring. Damage characteristics of each group leave clues for an arborist or tree health care professional to decipher the pest group and implement an effective control measure. Susceptible trees can also become infected by one of two types of diseases: those caused by living agents (diseases) and those caused by nonliving agents (disorders). In either situation, an effective integrated pest management program must be implemented.
 
Websites
Tree Pests: City of Edmonton, AB
Dutch Elm Disease: City of Edmonton, AB
City of Mississauga, ON; Pest Management
Oak Wilt, Forest and Shade Tree Pathology
Sudden Oak Death, Forest and Shade Tree Pathology
Insect Control Branch: City of Winnipeg, MB
Pest Problems: City of Mississauga, ON
Saskatchewan Dutch Elm Disease Association
Invasive Species: Vancouver, BC
Mountain Pine Beetle Tree Program: City of Prince George, BC
Disease, Pest and Weed Control Programs: City of Moose Jaw, SK
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Common Tree Problems, Guelph, ON
Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle (BSLB) Chronology of Events, Atlantic Forestry Centre
Disease Ecology and Management, Forest and Shade Tree Pathology 
Root Diseases, Forest and Shade Tree Pathology
Forest and Shade Tree Pathology, General
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Monitoring & Prevention of Dutch Elm Disease in Edmonton, AB
Backyard Beneficial Insect Guide: City of Edmonton, AB
Alien Invaders: Non-Indigenous Species in Urban Forests
Homeowner's Guide to Elm Care and Dutch Elm Disease Prevention in Saskatchewan
Southern Ontario's Forest at Risk by Emerald Ash Borer
Pests and Diseases of Norway Maple
Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle
Alien Invaders: Non-Indigenous Species in Urban Forests, Canadian Forest Service
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
An Index of Major Tree Insect Pests (USDA)
Insects and Disease Problems, ISA
Urban Tree Pests, University of Florida
Insect and Disease Potentials, USDA Forest Service
Urban Forest Health Monitoring, USDA Forest Service
Emerald Ash Borer
Sudden Oak Death Assessment, CA (.PDF)
Insects and Diseases
White Grub Biology and Management Strategies (.PPT)
Diseases of Woody Ornamentals (.PPT)
Insect Pests of Woody Ornamentals (.PPT)
Boring Insects (.PPT)
Selected References in Forest Pathology
Oak Pests: A Guide to Major Insects, Diseases, Air Pollution and Chemical Injury
Butternut: Strategies for Managing a Threatened Tree (USDA)
Recognizing Tree Diseases and Stress Factors, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
 
Bibliographical Resources
Johnson, W., Lyon, H. (1991). Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaigne, IL. 560 pp.
MacAloney, H. and Ewan H. (1964). Identification of Hardwood Insects by Type of Tree Injury, North Central Region. U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Sinclair, W., Lyon, H., Johnson, W. (2005). Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, Second Edition. International Society of Arboriculture. Champaign, IL. 676 pp.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Alien and Invasive Plant Species

Invasive and alien plant species can displace native vegetation and may have no natural predators in Canada. Without the presence of their natural controls such as insects and diseases, invasive species may grow aggressively and can monopolize large areas by out-competing native trees by producing toxic chemicals and competing for light and nutrients. Another risk involves the possibility of alien species hybridizing with native vegetation and eventually eliminating native genetic strains. Alien and invasive species can significantly change ecosystem functioning if effective management practices are not implemented. Practices include instigating coordinated policy and education initiatives; avoiding the planting of alien species in landscapes and educating residents about the importance of planting native species; as well as implementing effective monitoring campaigns. 
  
Websites
Invasive Tree Species, Canadian Botanical Conservation Network
Guide to Monitoring Exotic and Invasive Plants, Environment Canada
Invasive plants and their biology, impact and control options, Canadian Wildlife Service
Common Exotic Species to British Columbia's Ecosystems
Invasion of Exotic Plants, AB
Exotic and Invasive Plants in Maritime Canada
Invasive Alien Species in Canada, ON
Invasive Alien Species, Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS)
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Controlling Invasive Plants, Urban Forestry Services, City of Toronto, ON
Invasive Alien Species Stratigic Plan for Canada
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Evolutionary genetics of invasive species, University of Wisconsin (.PDF)
 
Bibliographical Resources
List of Bibliographical References for Invasive Species
 

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Stormwater Management and Urban Forests

Urban forests help reduce the quantity of storm water flows, soil erosion and stream sedimentation and help improve the quality of storm water runoff through absorption (Bernatzky 1983). Trees attenuate storm water in 3 ways: above ground through interception, evaporation and absorption of precipitation; at ground surface through temporary storage; and below ground through infiltration and permeation (Habecker 2004, PowerPoint presentation). Factors that influence the level of interception and evapotranspiration include tree species, stature, size and leaf area density. Increasing canopy cover is a simple way to help control stormwater runoff and reduce overall quantity.
 
Websites
Alternative Stormwater Management Practices, CMHC
Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual, Ministry of the Environment, ON
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Best Management Practices for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities
Is all your rain going down the drain? (.PDF)
Surface and Stormwater Management
Trees Reduce Stormwater: American Forests
Trees: The Oldest New Thing in Stormwater Management
Trees Help Cities Meet Clean Water Regulations (.PDF)
Trees and Their Role in Stormwater Management (.PPT)
Path to Protection: Ten Strategies for Successful Source Water Protection
Smart Growth for Clean Water: Helping Communities Address the Water Quality Impacts of Sprawl
 
Bibliographical Resources

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Fire and the Urban-Rural Interface

Forest fires are a natural force in the regeneration of forested ecosystems. However, as our communities have grown to encompass components of the natural forest, and as climate change continues to increase the fire hazard, fire management has become an increasing concern.  Fire management involves proper forest management techniques, public education and changing construction and landscape practices.
 
Websites
Urban Sprawl and Fire
Fire and the Wildland-Urban Interface, Natural Resources Canada
Partners in Protection, Edmonton, AB
Prescribed Burning in an Urban Park - Oakville (2006)
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Consequence Management Plan: British Columbia
Fire Season in Vancouver's Urban Forest Fact Sheet
Wildland Urban Interface Fire Hazard Assessments, BC
An Interface Fire Hazard Planning Model, Langford, BC
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (.PDF)
Fire Safe: Inside and Out
Fire Safe Council, CA, USA
 
Bibliographical Resources

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Hydro Line Management

Hydro line operations are a major maintenance practice in all municipalities that can have a large affect on its urban forests. Trees conduct electricity and therefore trees planted under or next to power lines must be regularly pruned or removed to ensure public safety and maintain hydro supply. When tree branches grow into or come in contact with hydro wires, they can cause fires, power outages and can become safety hazards. Some jurisdictions have responded by executing long term plans that involve such practices as site-specific plantings i.e. species that will not reach a height that will interfere, pruning or removing trees to maintain clearance and prevent unsafe conditions.
 
Websites
Hydro Québec: Controlling Vegetation
Pruning near Power Lines, BC Hydro
Utility Arboriculture in Canada
Ontario Hydro
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Mechanical Cutting for Vegetation Control under Power Transmission Lines, Hydro Québec
Vegetation Management along Transmission Utility Lines in the United States and Canada
Pruning near Power Lines, BC Hydro
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Utility Vegetation Management, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, USA (.PDF)
Guide to Trees and Power Lines (.PDF)
Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts, ISA
Seattle City Light: Power Line Clearance
Trees and Power Lines
Electric Companies and Vegetation Management, NY
 
Bibliographical Resources
International Society of Arboriculture. (1994). Trees and Overhead Electric Wires: Proper Pruning and Selection. 10 pp.
International Society of Arboriculture. Utility Pruning: A Video Guide for Pruning near Utility Conductors.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Emergency Preparedness

The eastern Canadian ice storm of 1998, Hurricane Juan and the BC fires of 2003 illustrated the need for municipalities to properly plan for natural emergencies in the maintenance of their trees. Training and educating urban forestry personnel for emergency situations is important because of the high potential for danger in most forestry operations. According to statistics, more people are injured or killed in the arboricultural and forestry operations than in any other profession - therefore, safety must always be a priority. The risks can only be curtailed with an emphasis on training and prevention.
 
Websites
Regulation for Manitoba Tree Care Workers
Safety on the Job: Manitoba Hydro
Emergency Preparedness Program: City of Winnipeg, MB
ArborMaster Training
WHMIS Training Online
 How do Utilities Respond to Emergencies? BC Hydro
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
British Columbia's Dangerous Tree Assessment Process
Staff Training Needs and Emergency Response
Tree Emergency Plan Worksheet
Ice Storm 1998: Lessons Learned
Fire, Storms and Pests: Crisis in the Urban Forest, Kelowna, BC
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Forest Industry Safety and Training Alliance Inc.
Safety Saves: Safety Education Program for Tree Care Professionals
Storm Damage Resource Centre, USDA Forest Service
Tree Emergency Plan Worksheet
 
Bibliographical Resources
Darr, B. (1999). Tree Hazard Inspections. Second Annual Tree Board Academy, Alabama Urban Forestry Association Annual Convention: Southern Urban Forestry Associates.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Air Quality, Climate Change and Urban Forests

Urban forests play an integral role in air quality improvement. Trees reduce temperatures and mitigate the heat-island effect through evapotranspiration; they sequester the emission of greenhouse gasses by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; they remove air pollutants by trapping particulate matter in their leaves, needles and bark. Strategies to help improve air quality include: sustaining healthy large-stature trees; planting trees in heavily populated or polluted areas; and considering long-lived and low maintenance trees for plantings. These strategies help to increase pollution removal; reduce long-term pollutant emissions from power plants and maximize the air quality benefits that trees provide.
 
Websites
Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan
Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative (PARC)
Global Warming: Early Warning Signs
Tonnes for Trees: Hamilton, ON
Climate Change and Forests: Canadian Forest Service's Approach
Climate Change: City of St. John's, NF
Air Quality Education Program: City of Kelowna, BC
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Discussion Paper on Environmental Initiatives: City of Red Deer, Alberta
Impacts and Adaptation for Climate Change in Urban Forests, Eastern Ontario Model Forest
Compendium of Climate Change Resources in Manitoba
Moving Forward on Climate Change: A Plan for Honouring our Kyoto Commitment
Ontario's Air: Years of Stagnation
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Trees and Sustainable Urban Air Quality (.PDF)
A Plan to Integrate Management of Urban Trees into Air Quality Planning (.PDF)
Particulate Pollution Removal by Urban Trees
Chicago's Urban Forest Ecosystem: Results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project (.PDF)
 
Bibliographical Resources
McPherson, E., Simpson, J. (1999). Carbon Dioxide Reductions through Urban Forestry: Guidelines for Professional and Volunteer Tree Planters. USDA Forest Service.
Nowak, D. (2002). The effects of urban trees on air quality. USDA Forest Service, Syracuse, NY.
Rowntree, R., Nowak, D. (1991). Quantifying the role of urban forests in removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Journal of Arboriculture, Vol. 17 (10), pp. 269-275.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Economic Value/Appraisal of Trees

Farr (2004) states that, "Evaluated as a simple landscape amenity, the monetary value ofCanada's urban forest is impressive. Vancouver's 114,500 street trees have an assessed value, using standards of the International Society of Arboriculture, of over $500 million. The 103,000 boulevard trees and 142,000 park trees of Edmonton have an estimated replacement value in excess of $800 million. The value of the Toronto urban forest, based on an average value of $700 per tree set by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers in 1992, is over $16 billion." Natural Resources Canada from Evolving Urban Forest Concepts and Policies in Canada

There are many reasons to conduct tree appraisals. Appraisal methods have been developed and implemented proving that trees have substantial monetary value. The appraisal process can take a considerable amount of time on the site to effectively evaluate all measurables. Often, the process involves collecting samples, taking measurements and photographs, interviewing neighbours and evaluating the tree's environment. Determining the value of a tree considers species type, physical condition such as scarring, storm damage, disease or insect damage, etc. and location factors; these criteria can be found in established tree listings. Urban forests also provide economic benefits such as increased property values, positive impact on real estate consumer preference, and reduction in energy costs by shading buildings and pavement and lowering surrounding temperatures.

Websites
Environment Canada: Community Greenspaces Are Worth Money
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
The Value of Natural Capital in Settled Areas of Canada
What Could We Lose? Economic Value of Urban Forest, Intangible and Tangible Benefits
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Trees Make Cents (Citizens for a Scenic Florida)
Northern Mountain and Prairie Community Tree Guide: Benefits, Costs and Strategic Planting
Tree Values, ISA
Summaries of American Forests' Urban Ecosystem Analyses
Economic Benefits of Urban and Community Trees
Tree Appraisals: Southern Urban Forestry Associates
Landscape Tree Appraisal: University of Nebraska
Economic Impacts of the Green Industry in the United States (.PDF)
The Value of Trees, USDA Forest Service
Evaluating Municipal Replacement Trees: Assessing Health and Survival Factors (.PDF)
Economic Analysis of Urban Tree Replacement Decisions (.PDF)
A Practical Approach to Assessing Structure, Function, and Value of Street Tree Populations (.PDF)
Comparing Formula Methods of Tree Appraisal (.PDF)
 Economic Value of Urban Forest, Intangible and Tangible Benefits, University of Washington (.PDF)
A Manual for the State Forestry Agencies in the Southern Region (.PDF)
Trees = Dollars and Cents (.PPT)
Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space (.PDF)
 
Bibliographical Resources
Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers. (2000). Guide for Plant Appraisal, Ninth Edition. 143 pp.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Awareness, Education and Stewardship

One of the things that distinguish urban forestry from other branches of forestry is a close relationship with people. Any urban forestry program has to integrate people as part of the program itself. The basic components of this are an education and awareness program, an advisory urban forest committee and communication in times of emergencies (see Emergency Preparedness section). Education and awareness involves the explanation of the operational aspects of an urban forestry program. Currently, this is best handled by developing and maintaining a section on a municipal website. Within that website are bulletins or publications on management practices.
An urban forest advisory committee has several purposes:
- To act as an advisory committee of council and provide feedback to municipal staff;
- To identify gaps in the program;
- To help staff identify ways to fill those gaps;
- To profile urban forestry to the community through the organization of field tours, open houses, etc.; and
- To educate municipal politicians of the value of urban forests to the community and the need to support it.
Typically, a staff member and a municipal councillor sit on the committee; the meetings are held on a regular basis and recommendations are brought to the attention of council. Throughout Canada, there are many resources, programs and organizations dedicated to public education that focus on sustaining nature and green space in urban communities and fostering a culture of stewardship. Education is one of the most important components of urban forest management to sustain best practices for tree care throughout communities. 
List of Organizations that focus on Urban Greening
List of Canadian Municipalities with Urban Forestry
 
Websites
Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
Urban Forestry Management Advisory Committee, Mississauga, ON
City of Toronto Tree Advocacy Planting Program
Habitat Acquisition Trust: Urban Forest Stewardship Initiative
No Plot is Too Small: a Community's Guide to Restoring Public Landscapes
Teaching Unit on Dutch Elm Disease and the Urban Forest
City of Calgary Community NeighbourWoods Pilot Project
Green Teacher
EcoKids
 
Online documents (.PDF or .DOC)
Green Space Acquisition and Stewardship in Canada's Urban Municipalities
Keeping It Green: A Citizen's Guide to Urban Land Protection in Canada
Teacher's Resource Guide, Arbour Day Alberta Environment
Urban Forestry in a Multicultural Society: Promoting Social Inclusion (.PDF)
Schools Plant Legacy in Trees: City of Saskatoon, SK
 
Non-Canadian sites & resources
Urban Forestry Laboratory Exercises for Elementary, Middle and High School Students
American Forests: CITYgreen Environmental Education
City of Seattle Urban Forestry: Opportunities for Citizen Involvement
A Guide to Developing a Community Tree Preservation Ordinance
Project Learning Tree
Urban and Community Forestry: A Practical Guide to Sustainability (National Arbour Day Foundation)
Janesville Shade Tree Advisory Committee, Janesville, Wis
 
Bibliographical Resources
International Society of Arboriculture (2001). Arborist's Certification Study Guide.
League, M. (1997). Leadership Grows in the Schoolyard. Science and Children, Vol. 34 (6), pp. 18-21.
Natural Resources Queensland Government. (1999). Forest Management Education Activity Series: Role of Trees in the Environment Level Years 3-5.
Reading, J., Taven, G. (1996). Outdoor Classrooms: The Learning Links. Green Teacher, Vol. 47, pp. 29-31.

Francophone Websites and Resources

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Miscellaneous Websites

Sites to other lists of links and web pages
Federation of Alberta Naturalists Links page
TreeLink: Urban and Community Forestry
City of Hamilton, ON: Tree Links
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Urban Forestry Index
Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute
Various Power Point Presentations
 
Library and database sites
Urban Forestry Library, University of Minnesota
Selected References in Forest Pathology
Evergreen Online Library
The Forest Shop: General Reference
Evergreen Native Plant Database
Forest Educational Resources and Publications
 
Urban Forestry (General)
The Potential of Urban Forestry in Developing Countries
Connecting People with Ecosystems in the 21st Century
The Elements of Sustainability in Urban Forestry
Restoring the Urban Forest Ecosystem
The State of Urban Forestry in California
Urban Forest Research Newsletter, USDA Forest Service
Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance
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Submissions

We encourage continuous recommendations for improving this site and suggestions for any additions to include in the Compendium. Please submit any new suggestions by contacting us.
 
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PHOTO Credits

Adrina Bardekjian Ambrosii (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 16, 17, 19, 23, 25-27, 29, 33, 38-40, 42)
Julian Ambrosii (15, 37, 41)
Justin Morgenroth (18)
Michael Rosen (3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20-22, 24, 28, 30-32, 34-36)
 

[1] Jorgensen, E. 1974. Towards an urban forestry concept. Proceedings of the 10th Commonwealth 
Forestry Conference.  Ottawa, Canada; Forestry Service.
[2] According to Statistics Canada, an urban area (UA) has a minimum population concentration of 1,000 persons and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometre, based on the current census population count. All territory outside urban areas is classified as rural. Taken together, urban and rural areas cover all of Canada.
 
[3] Deneke, F. 1993.  Urban Forestry in North America:  Towards a Global Ecosystem Perspective.  pp 4-8.  IN Blouin, G. and Comeau, R. [eds.] Proceedings of the First Canadian Urban Forests Conference May 30- June 2, 1993.  Winnipeg MB. 151 pp.

 



Toronto, ON

Winnipeg, MB

Montréal, QC

 

 

Ottawa, ON

 

 

Charlottetown, PEI

Ottawa, ON/Gatineau, QC

 

 

 

 

 

Madrid, Spain

 

 

 

 

 

Madrid, Spain

Banff, AB

 

 

 

 

 

Emerald Ash Borer, Windsor, ON

Emerald Ash Borer

English Ivy, Vancouver, BC

 

Kelowna, BC

Kamloops, BC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


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