Goals of the Program 4/24/2014

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1 Urban Tree Risk Management Program Prince George s County, Department of Public Works and Transportation The Neighborhood Design Center Goals of the Program Increase tree canopy Improve air quality Improve property value Manage risk Save money on storm damage clean-up costs Add beauty to your neighborhood 1

2 Right Tree, Right Place Program Started 2011 Planted 14,000 trees Removed 6,000 trees 72 communities in all Dec-April 5,200 new trees Urban Tree Risk Management Program Goals for Your Neighborhood Add trees Increase species diversity Add shade Increase property values Reduce risk from high-risk pear trees 2

3 Steps of the Program 1. Community Outreach Meet with community 2. Design Phase Identify high-risk trees, such as Bradford Pears Choose replacement trees, safer street trees 3. Community Approval 4. Construction Remove problem trees Plant new trees Benefits of trees what trees do for us 1. Provide Oxygen photosysthesis, clean the air 2. Provide shade cool our homes, our world importance of urban tree canopy reduce storm water runoff and improve water quality 3. Habitat for wildlife 4. Improve our property values reduce crime increase price of home 3

4 Who is Involved? Prince George s County Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) directing contractors for removal & replacement Neighborhood h Design Center (NDC) community liaisons, i in partnership with DPW&T on which trees to remove and replacement species YOU (The Community) County Council member Obie Patterson and staff Origin of the Right Tree Program Damage and high costs from the Bradford Pear tree Defects: ects: weak limbed breaks easily included bark shallow root system fruit smells bad does not behave itself ; it displaces native vegetation, over-production of fruit It busts up and breaks as it ages The Bradford Pear is a dangerous tree! 4

5 History In 1952 a vigorous, thornless ornamental tree was found in the testing fields and grafted to a Pyrus calleryana rootstock for nursery sale Resulting tree: Pyrus calleryana Bradford, named for Fredrick Charles Bradford USDA promoted tree for use in subdivisions across America Why? It was pretty, cheap, hardy grew fast, and supposedly sterile Safety Problems Inferior branching susceptible to breakage in storms Injury & damage to people, sidewalks, roads, property, electric power, phones, internet & television Damage costs are high Labor and equipment costs for storm clean-up Damage claims and repairs 5

6 Inferior Branching Included Bark makes branch & trunk union weak Narrow branch angle indicates a high potential for failure Grafting and bud failures Problems Lack of Diversity Overplanting a single species can lead to catastrophic loses (ex. Dutch elm disease) Bradford Pear trees provide little wildlife value and displace our native trees that do provide wildlife value. Problems They are pretty for 2 weeks and after that they are trouble! 6

7 Invasive Qualities Problems Allowed cross breeding between Bradford and other Pyrus calleryana varieties, which created a SUPER INVASIVE species of pear tree Spread of this INVASIVE species can be seen along major highways and open areas, as a dense thorny hedge Now considered INVASIVE by Maryland Native Plant Society and US Department of Agriculture. Solution Remove Bradford pear trees Plant replacement street trees Challenge: Find good strong and beautiful street trees that will tolerate urban conditions. Street trees are stressed out! 7

8 Stress factors on street trees Must tolerate a small growing area in-between sidewalk & street. Their roots lack space to expand. The soil they grow in is compacted and lacks organic matter (putting wood chips around the tree adds organic matter) Must tolerate salt (from snowplow trucks in the winter) Must be able to adapt to a change in soil ph Soil temperature is higher than normal due to pavement and lack of shade They are thirsty since their roots no one waters them and they have little access to a water supply. Shade Trees for Replacement Red Maple 10 ft -12 ft installation height 8

9 Oak Trees Willow Oak Nuttal Oak Red Oak (Shumard) installation height Elm Trees Princeton Elm Lacebark Elm Elm trees are vase-shaped installation height 9

10 Zelkova Hornbeam American Hornbeam European Hornbeam more shade trees Honey Locust Linden Linden is pyramid shaped 10

11 Ornamental Replacement Species Snowgoose Cherry Yoshino Cherry Higan Cherry 8-10 installation height Smaller trees 8-10 installation height Japanese Tree Lilac Crape Myrtle Small trees tend to grow suckers & will need pruning 11

12 Smaller trees to fit under utility lines Redbud Service Berry Small trees tend to grow suckers & will need pruning After Replacements Think of trees as sentries guarding your neighborhood! 12

13 Questions? Contact: Patricia Valentine What has a tree done for you today? Can you name some benefits of trees? Improve beauty of neighborhood Improve curb appeal of your home Provide shade Provide cooling Provide habitat for animals, insects, plants, birds Provide calmness and relaxation Produce oxygen, absorb CO 2 Hold soil in place, absorb water & prevent erosion Provide food and medicine and spices Wood products: flooring, musical instruments, pallets, houses, fences, toys And, the rustling of leaves is a beautiful sound. 13

14 Resources For more information on resources and matching funds for improving your home landscape and improving the environment at the same time, check out Prince George s County Rain Check Rebate Program ges/default.aspx 14