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Community Resource Manual

Springfield Edition ver. 1.0

Urban Trees, Stormwater, & Green Streets - Stormwater Management through Urban Forestry -

Community volunteers plant trees in Springfield’s Upper Hill Neighborhood

Table of Contents

_______________________

Regreening the ‘X’ Workshop p. 3

What Trees Do - p. 4

Benefits of the Urban Forest - p. 5

Components of a Watershed - pp. 6-7

Benefits of Green Streets - pp. 8-9

Green Infrastructure Tools - pp. 10-11

Tree Selection & Placement - pp. 12-14

Planting Your Tree Properly - p. 15

Pruning Young Trees - pp. 16-17

What You Can Do - p. 18

ReGreen Springfield & PVPC Community Resource Manual

ReGreen Springfield & PVPC !3 Community Resource Manual


Trees are not only beautiful inthemselves but add beauty totheir surroundings. Trees addcolor to the urban scene, softenthe harsh lines of buildings,screen unsightly views, provide privacy and a sense ofsolitude and security, while contributing to the general character and sense of place incommunities.

Beyond aesthetics and emotional well-being, treesperform important functionsthat protect and enhance citydwellers’ health and property.Trees literally clean the air byabsorbing air pollutants andreleasing oxygen. They reducestormwater runoff and ero-sion; they temper climate; theycan save energy; they createwildlife habitat; they canimprove health, serve asscreens, and strengthen community. They can evenhelp contribute to a communi-ty’s economy and way of life.

What Trees DoWHAT TREES DO

3

Trees are not only beautiful inthemselves but add beauty totheir surroundings. Trees addcolor to the urban scene, softenthe harsh lines of buildings,screen unsightly views, provide privacy and a sense ofsolitude and security, while contributing to the general character and sense of place incommunities.

Beyond aesthetics and emotional well-being, treesperform important functionsthat protect and enhance citydwellers’ health and property.Trees literally clean the air byabsorbing air pollutants andreleasing oxygen. They reducestormwater runoff and ero-sion; they temper climate; theycan save energy; they createwildlife habitat; they canimprove health, serve asscreens, and strengthen community. They can evenhelp contribute to a communi-ty’s economy and way of life.

What Trees DoWHAT TREES DO

3

[1]


Did you know?A large front yard tree can provide the following benefits each year:*

* in a San Joaquin Valley community like Modesto

The value of all benefits is $111 in this example. Typically, a city will spend $20-$30 per year to maintain a street tree of this size(sometimes located in a front yard easement) and a resident will spend about $10-$30 per year maintaining a large yard tree. Ourbenefit-cost analysis for Modesto’s 90,000 street/park trees found $1.89 returned annually for every $1 invested in stewardship.The net annual benefit of $2.3 million ($13/resident, $26/tree) can be referenced as follows: McPherson, E.G., Simpson, J.R.,Peper, P. & Xiao, Q. 1999. “Benefit-Cost Analysis of Modesto’s Municipal Urban Forest.” Journal of Arboriculture, 25(5):235-248.

All tree data taken from “Tree Guidelines for San Joaquin Valley Communities,” by McPherson, E.G., Simpson, J.R., Peper, P. and & Xiao, Q.1999, published by Local Government Commission, Sacramento, CA. (See back page for more information.)

This fact sheet is provided for you to copy and distribute. Please credit the Center for Urban Forest Research, Pacific Southwest ResearchStation, USDA Forest Service, Davis, California.

Fact Sheet #1: Benefits of the Urban Forest13452Saves $29 in summertime air conditioning by shading the building and cooling the air

(250 kWh), about 9% of a typical residential building's total annual air conditioning cost.(This finding assumes tree is west of the residence where it provides maximum shading benefit.)

Absorbs 10 lbs. of air pollutants, including 4 lbs. of ozone and 3 lbs. of particulates.The value of pollutant uptake by the tree is $45 using the local market price of emission reduction credits. Uptake of NOxby the tree (1.07 lb) is equivalent to NOx emitted by a typical car driven 188 miles. (NOx emissions taken from aSacramento Bee article, Dec. 7, 1997, Forum 2, that lists EPA test results of measured emissions at 4,000 miles, as wellas maximum emissions allowed at 50,000 miles for 7 car models and 11 models of light trucks. This calculation assumes30 grams/yr. uptake by tree and car emission rate of 0.16 grams/mile for Ford Taurus at 4,000 miles. Emission ratesranged from 0.06-0.16 for the cars listed.)

Intercepts 760 gal of rainfall in its crown, thereby reducing runoff of polluted stormwaterand flooding. This benefit is valued at $6 based on local expenditures for water quality management and floodcontrol. (Interception is relatively low for this deciduous species in a climate with predominately winter precipitation. Anevergreen camphor tree is coastal Southern California was estimated to intercept 4,000 gals annually, see page 82, “TreeGuidelines for Coastal Southern California Communities.”)

Cleans 330 lbs. of CO2 (90 lbs. C) from the atmosphere through direct sequestration inthe tree's wood and reduced power plant emissions due to cooling energy savings.The value of this benefit is $5 assuming the California Energy Commission's price of $30/ton. This tree reduces the sameamount of atmospheric CO2 as released by a typical car driven 388 miles. (From the same Sacramento Bee article, Dec.7, 1997, Forum 2, CO2 per year assuming 15,000 miles driven a year (55% city, 45% highway). Assuming an averageemission rate of 0.85 lb/mile, the CO2 offset by the tree is equivalent to 388 miles driven. Emission rates ranged from9,200-14,800 lb/yr. for the cars listed.)

Adds about 1% to the sales price of the property, or about $25 each year whenannualized over a 40-year period. This assumes a median residential property sales price of $100,000.(Based on research that found a large front yard tree increased the sales price of residential properties by nearly 1%:Anderson, L.M. and Cordell, H.K., 1988. “Residential Property Values Improve by Landscaping with Trees.” SouthernJournal of Applied Forestry, 9:162-166.)

[2]


R I V E R

I N F I LT R AT I O N

G R O U N D WAT E R

What is a Watershed?R a i n d rops fall. Some soak into the ground. Some join with other d rops and trickle down slopes. The trickles join to form streams. These streams connect to make rivers. Rivers then make their way to the sea.

All the land drained by a stream and its branches, or by a river and its streams, is called a watershed.

Scientists study watersheds to learn how much water is available to meet people’s needs. The topography — the physical appearance of the land — along with the plants, the soil, the rock f o rmations and the climate, all affect the water in a watershed.

OVERLAND FLOW

R A I N FA L L

Forests and the WatershedHeavy rain in a watershed can cause severe flooding, which destroys land and pro p e rt y. Flooding is less likely if a watershed has carefully managed forest areas or wetlands. (Wetlands are places that are flooded or boggyall or part of the year. Forests can be wetlands, too.)

F o rest soils soak up water. The roots of trees alsoanchor soil and keep it from washing away — even afterthe trees are harvested. Wetlands — usually swamps andmarshy areas — act as natural sponges, soaking up rain-water that might cause flooding.

UNDERGROUND RIVERS

The lakes, streams and oceans you see are not our only sources of

water. There is a supply of water underthe ground, called groundwater. Citiesand towns use underground lakes andrivers, called aquifers, for drinking,watering crops, manufacturing andother purposes.

Groundwater may lie hundreds offeet down or be very close to the sur-face. The surface level of groundwateris called the water table.

[3]


STREAMSIDE BUFFERS

Leaving stream and riverbanks as natural as possible— with the soil undisturbed

and covered with tre e s ,s h rubs, wildflowers, mosses

and ferns — helps pre v e n te rosion. A stream bottom

filled with pebbles — ratherthan a dirt-filled bottom — isone sign of a healthy stream. A LTAMAHA RIVER,

BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA HARDWOODS BY LAKE, LANGLADE, WISCONSIN

HOW DO TREES BREAT H E ?

In leaves, water combines with carbon dioxideand sunlight to make sugar — food for the tree.During this process, called photosynthesis, the tree also produces oxygen. Oxygen andwater then evaporate through the leaves —a process called transpiration. This is how a tree breathes.

HOW MUCH WATER DOES A TREE DRINK?

A healthy 100-foot-tall tree has about200,000 leaves. A tree this size can take 11,000 gallons of water from the soil and release it into the air again, as oxygen and water vapor, in a single growing season.

HOW DO TREES DRINK?

Water in the soil passes into tinyhairlike roots. It enters the root loaded with minerals from the soil and is carried up the tree’strunk all the way to the leaves.

ROOTS DO MORE THAN DRINK

The roots of a tree grip the ground and act like thousands of “fingers” to anchor the tree as it keeps soil from washing away. The amazingly complex root network —often an area underground larger than the tree’s branches — also filters harmful substances out of water as it soaks downward.

[4]


TREES ARE GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY• Fruit harvested from community orchards can be sold, thus

providing income• Trees can be utilised for fuel, building materials and craft

wood• Trees increase property values. The beauty of a well-planted

property and its surrounding street and neighbourhood can raise property values by as much as 15 percent 8

• Trees attract businesses and customers to communities 9• For a planting cost of US $250 - $600, a single street tree

returns over US $90 000 of direct benefits 10

• Trees enhance t ourism by adding beauty and shade to a location 11

TREES MAKE CARING, SHARING COMMUNITIES• Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community

involvement and engage all cultures, ages and genders in the important role of tree planting or tree care

• Trees beautify communities and improve the views• Trees make great landmarks that can give communities a

new identity and encourage community spirit• Shared green spaces, particularly those having trees, help

strengthen social ties among neighbours. A US series of studies of inner-city neighbourhoods shows green spaces with trees contribute to healthier, more supportive patterns of interaction among residents, including greater sharing of resources 12

• Individuals living in ‘greener’ buildings reported more social activities, more visitors, knew more of their neighbours and had stronger feelings of belonging12

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TREES ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT• Trees promote biodiversity 1

• Trees produce oxygen 1

• Trees combat the greenhouse effect through carbon sequestration 1

• Trees reduce storm-water run-off 1• Trees help control temperature 1

• Trees reduce salinity and soil erosion 2

• Trees reduce noise and air pollution 1

• Trees act as water filters and improve water quality 1• Trees help conserve energy with their shading and

evapotranspiration effect 1• Trees provide nucleii for rain and help increase rainfall 3• Trees improve air quality by absorbing polluting gases and

odours and filtering air particles 1

• Trees save water as shade from trees slows water evaporation 1

! TREES ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESSES• The presence of trees translates into increased financial

returns 4

• Trees attract customers 4• Trees provide a good impression for customers 4• Shoppers linger longer in the shade 4

• Trees help businesses achieve greater market identity 4

• Trees provide attractive commercial settings 4• Trees allow businesses to differentiate themselves from

competitors 4

• Trees give businesses a competitive edge 4• Trees help create a sense of security for customers 4

TREES ARE GOOD FOR OUR CITIES• Trees cool cities by shading homes and streets, and by

releasing water vapour into the air through their leaves 1• Trees break up urban “heat islands” 5

• Shade from trees helps to prolong the life of city pavements and roads, and reduces the need for resurfacing 6

• Trees beautify cityscapes• Trees aid in traffic control by separating pedestrians from

vehicles 7

• Tree canopy cools parking lots and reduces the evaporative hydrocarbon emissions from parked vehicles that are released from fuel tanks and hoses as gasoline evaporates 6

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The Benefits of Trees

[5]

Benefits of Green Streets


TREES MAKE HAPPY, HEALTHY CHILDREN• Tree shade helps reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet

rays, thus providing protection to children at schools and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors

• Trees provide fun play opportunities for children through activities like climbing, swinging or c reating a tree house

• Children living in tree-lined streets have a lower risk of developing asthma and its symptoms 13

• Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms are relieved in children after spending prescribed amounts of time in green spaces - the greener the setting, the more the relief 14

• Girls with home views of nature score higher on tests of concentration and self-discipline and score lower on tests of impulsivity 15

• Planting trees encourages environmental custodianship amongst children

• Kindergarten children playing in forest-type environments improved significantly in 8 out of 9 tasks on a physical fitness test whereas children playing in less natural outdoor play environments only improved in 3 out of 9 tasks 16

• In two Swedish nurseries with similar conditions and similar teaching staff, children with the green outdoor play settings reported less than half the number of sick days than the children at a city day care centre with no green play setting 17

TREES HEAL AND HELP YOU LIVE LONGER!• A study of senior citizens in Japan found that the presence of

parks and tree-lined streets near senior citizen residences were significant predictors of higher survival over the following five years. Living in areas with walkable green spaces positively influenced the longevity of urban senior citizens independent of their age, sex, marital status, baseline functional status and socioeconomic status 18

• Planting trees and gardening is a physical activity that helps you burn kilojoules

• Many trees have significant medicinal properties 19

• Hospital patients have been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a view of trees 20

TREES MAKE SOCIETY A BETTER PLACE• The presence of trees can be associated with lower crime

rates as it helps people to relax thereby reducing aggression 21

• The presence of trees increases surveillance and discourages criminals, as the ‘green and groomed’ appearance of a property is a cue that the owners and residents care about a property and watch over it and each other 21

• Trees ease poverty’s burden in inner city neighbourhoods 22

• Trees act as privacy screens and muffle sound• Inner city families with trees and greenery in their

immediate outdoor surroundings have safer domestic environments than families who live in areas that are barren of street trees and nature 21

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TREES ADD VALUE TO THE WORLD AS IT IS• Trees mark the seasons, telling us when it’s Spring,

Summer, Autumn or Winter• Trees feed people, animals and birds• Trees can be utilised symbolically. Christmas just wouldn’t

be the same without a Christmas Tree!• Trees shelter plants, crops and livestock, protecting them

from the elements• Trees have historic value. Old trees represent a link with the

past that can extend through hundreds of years• The trunk of a tree can tell its own story and help us to learn

about the kind of environment and climactic conditions that the tree has lived through in a certain area

• Trees are valuable as commemoratives of deceased loved ones and for passing on something of value to future generations

TREES MAKE THE WORLD A BEAUTIFUL PLACE• Trees provide canopy and habitat for wildlife• Trees can mask unsightly views. They muffle sound from

nearby streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green

• Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare• Trees creatively inspire the artists, writers and musicians

that influence our culture. Think Flame Trees by Cold chisel, Tall Trees by Crowded House, Home Among the Gum Trees by John Williamson, or of poet Joyce Kilmers’s Trees or artist Paul Cezanne’s Poplar Trees

• Trees are a work of nature’s art, with leaves changing colour, and trees growing, changing shape, becoming mobile in the wind, casting brilliant shadows, filtering rays of sun and moonlight, and yielding flowers and fruit of many colours.

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The Benefits of Trees

[6]

Benefits of Green Streets


14

TOOlBOX ENCYClOPEDIA | HOLYOKE GREEN STREETS GUIDEBOOK

Description:Break-outs are excavated areas filled with structural soil, often under sidewalks or roads. Used in combination with other green infrastructure tools such as tree trenches or stormwater planters, break-outs provide more room for tree roots to grow in tight spaces, increasing the longevity and survival rate of urban trees.

Benefits:• Provides additional space for tree roots, improving health• Increases amount of infiltration area by replacing

compacted native soil with more porous structural soil• Requires little maintenance after installation

Considerations:• Requires pavement to be ripped up and replaced for

retrofits, increasing costs

BIOSWALE (WITH TREES)Description:A bioswale is a linear vegetated swale that channels stormwater, infiltrating and filtering it with vegetation and soils as it travels.

Benefits:• Allows stormwater to travel and infiltrate• Does not require energy-intensive structural walls• Excess stormwater flows can travel to grey infrastructure

system through perforated pipe• Can be planted with a variety of wetland-tolerant vegetation

Considerations:• Requires excavation• Limited to slopes 6% or less• Roadside vegetation must be wetland tolerant, hardy to salt,

snow piles, and high sediment flows

Slope optimal use Dimensions Spacing

1-6% (if greater than 5%, use check dams and dense vegetation)

Along roads, linear anduninterrupted channels

Min. 2' wide; min. 3.5' deep without tree; 5' with tree

Recommended tree spacing: 20'


n/a In combination with other tools in which trees are planted

min. 3' below paving n/a

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TOOLS

6" perforated pipemin. 2'

min. 5' with tree, 3.5'-4' without

planting soil

curb inlet

subgrade

geotextile

ponding area

not to scalecrushed aggregate

BREAK-OUT

not to scale

mulch

drainage pipe

planting soil

structural soil

subgrademin 3'

8"

8' typical

Sources: New York Department of Environmental Protection (2013)

Sources: Bassuk et al., (2005), Bassuk et al., (1998)

[7]


15

HOLYOKE GREEN STREETS GUIDEBOOK | TOOlBOX ENCYClOPEDIA

Description:A covered tree trench is a linear system of trees connected by structural soil underground and covered with permeable pavers. Stormwater flows into the trench via inlets or runnels and through the permeable pavers, infiltrating into the soil. The continuous mass of soil combined with soil break-outs under sidewalks and streets gives roots more room, increasing vitality.

Benefits:• Maximizes infiltration area• Increases life-span of trees• Allows pedestrian access between sidewalk and road

Considerations:• Requires considerable excavation, especially in combination

with break-outs; may be expensive• Limited to slopes less than 5%• Sensitive to heavy compaction over root systems

Description:like a covered tree trench, an open tree trench is a linear system of trees connected by structural soil underground, but it is filled with vegetation, not covered with permeable pavers. Stormwater flows into the trench via inlets and infiltrates into the soil. The continuous mass of soil in combination with soil break-outs into sidewalks and streets gives roots more room, increasing vitality.

Benefits:• Maximizes infiltration, especially with break-outs• Increases life-span of trees• Allows for variety of wetland plantings

Considerations:• Requires considerable excavation, especially in combination

with break-outs; may be expensive• Limited to slopes less than 5%• limits pedestrian access between sidewalk and road


<5% Along roads and sidewalks, to promote pedestrian crossings

2.5' minimum width,3' minimum depth

Recommended tree spacing: 20' (varies by species)


<5% Along roads and sidewalks, to protect pedestrians or cyclists

2.5' minimum width,3' minimum depth

Recommended tree spacing: 20’ (varies by species)

COVERED TREE TRENCH

not to scale

subgrade

structural soil (no planting soil required)

permeable pavers

runnel

min 3'

perforated pipe

OPEN TREE TRENCH

not to scale

min 3'(small trees)

planting soil

curb inlet

structural soil

perforated pipe subgrade

Sources: City of Milwaukee (2013): Boston Transportation Department

Sources: City of Milwaukee (2013); Boston Transportation Department

[8]


Tree Selection and PlacementUnderstand important issues in selecting a tree for planting, such as the tree’s intended function, location, common pests, geographic regions and hardiness zones, and considerations for best placement alternatives.

Tree selection and placement are two of the most important decisions a homeowner makes when landscaping a new home or replacing a tree. Many trees have the potential to outlive those who plant them, so the impact of this decision can last a lifetime. Matching the tree to the site benefits both the tree and the homeowner.

One of the most common tree care questions is: “Which kind of tree should I plant?” Before this question can be answered, a number of factors need to be considered:

as needed after planting?

Tree Function

A deciduous shade tree that loses leaves in fall provides cooling relief from summer’s heat while

A tree or shrub that produces fruit can provide food for the owner or wildlife. Street trees decrease the

Form and Size A basic principle of modern architecture is “form follows function.” Selecting the right form (shape) to complement the desired function (what

environmental returns.

buildings. Large, vase-shaped trees can create an arbor over a

Site Conditions Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the

the following when selecting a tree:

Soil Conditions In dense urban areas and new subdivisions, soil is often disturbed, shallow, compacted, and subject to drought. Most trees will suffer in these

soil conditions.

When selecting a tree, check for signs of struc-tural problems, damage, and poor tree health.

[9]


Benefits of Trees Recognizing Tree Risk

Trees and Turf Tree Values

E-mail inquiries: [email protected]

around the world and dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For further information,

E-mail inquiries: [email protected]

Exposure

Drainage

Hardiness

Space Constraints

Human Activity

people do. Soil compaction, underwatering, overwatering, vandalism, and the number one cause — planting the wrong tree — account for more tree deaths than all insect- and disease-related tree deaths combined.

Pest Problems

Species Selection

[10]


[11]

[12]


[13]


1

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Pruning Young TreesProper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require less corrective pruning as they mature.

Keep these few simple principles in mind before pruning a tree:

pruning tools.

within the tree forever.

pruning later.

Making the Cut

to permanent internal decay.

Pruning Tools

ing saw.

clean and sharp.

Establishing a Strong Scaffold Structure

growth in forest settings where outward branching is limited by neighboring trees.

Good Structure Poor Structure

Hand Pruners

[14]


[15]

1. Prune a competing leader. Prune back the less vigorous branch to prevent the development of two leaders, which could cause the fork to split as the tops grow larger, damaging the tree.

2. Prune any malformed branch. 3. Remove any crossing branch, which will affect the other branch’s growth and create an undesirable form. 4. Remove water sprouts. 5. Remove any branch growing at sharp or unusual angle. When this branch becomes larger it might rub another branch, split, or rot by giving water a chance to collect in the fork. 6. Prune any broken or badly damaged branch. 7. Prune temporary branches over time. These branches should be removed during the first few years to provide clearance for vehicles and pedestrians. 8. Remove suckers, which take energy away from desirable growth.

What Should I Prune?


Cities and towns make harshenvironments for trees, so wemust give them special careand protection. Establishingand maintaining communitytrees and forests can be chal-lenging and costly, but thebenefits described here arewell worth the time, trouble,and money spent. Trees inurban settings often need to beprotected, planted (or trans-

planted), and tended. This isboth an individual and com-munity responsibility.

In addition to looking after thetrees where you live, you canlearn about and becomeinvolved in the managementof the trees along your city’sstreets, parks and recreationareas. The wrong species orplacement of trees, whetheraround a private home orcommercial building or onpublic land, can mean wastedmoney and effort as well asdefeating the purpose of theplanting. Citizen input intosuch decisions is important.You can get involved at thelocal level in a range of activi-ties. Organizations that canhelp you get started are listedon the next few pages. Also,visit this web site for a list oforganizations and resources inthe State where you live:http://www.treelink.org/docs/states.phtml.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

12 [16]


[1] USDA Forest Service; Urban and Community Forestry: Improving Our Quality of Life. (2003). pp. 3.

[2] USDA Forest Service; Fact Sheet #1: Benefits of the Urban Forest. pp. 1.

[3] Georgia-Pacific; Water & Forests - The role trees play in water quality. (1999) pp. 5.

[4] Georgia-Pacific; Water & Forests - The role trees play in water quality. (1999) pp. 3.

[5] National Tree Day; The Benefits of Trees. pp. 1.

[6] National Tree Day; The Benefits of Trees. pp. 2.

[7] The Conway School; Green Streets Guidebook for the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts (2014). pp. 22.

[8] The Conway School; Green Streets Guidebook for the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts (2014). pp. 23.

[9] International Society of Arboriculture; Tree Selection and Placement (2011). pp. 1.

[10] International Society of Arboriculture; Tree Selection and Placement (2011). pp. 2.

[11] Arbor Day Foundation; Plant the right tree in the right place.

[12] Casey Trees; Tree Space Design - Growing The Tree Out Of The Box (2008) pp. 5

[13] O’Brien, Robert; Dig Trees; Planting Your Tree Properly

[14] International Society of Arboriculture; Pruning Young Trees (2011). pp. 1.

REFERENCES

[15] Penn State Extension; Pruning Landscape Trees (2005). pp. 3

[16] USDA Forest Service; Urban and Community Forestry: Improving Our Quality of Life. (2003). pp. 12.

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