[CANUFNET] FW: tree canopy target

[Vojka Miladinovic]

From: Connie Pinto
Sent: June-21-16 3:32 PM
To: 'canufnet at list.web.net'
Cc: Vojka Miladinovic; 'alan.kemp at nanimo.ca'
Subject: tree canopy target

Good afternoon,
My colleague forwarded the inquiry below.

Alan,
We are currently working on the development of a tree planting strategy for the City of Toronto with a target of increasing the tree canopy cover to 40% by 2050-2060.
Our current tree canopy cover is between 26.6% and 28% with approximately 10.2 million trees across the city, 60% of these are on private property.

Toronto's tree canopy target is one of six strategic goals proposed  in the City's Strategic Forest Management Plan<http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Parks%20Forestry%20&%20Recreation/Urban%20Forestry/Files/pdf/B/backgroundfile-55258.pdf>. Research suggested that '40% tree canopy cover is optimum in cities where the ecological climax community is deciduous forest. This will ensure the sustainability of the urban forest and preserve the ecological functions while maximizing community benefits from trees'.  See also: Assessing Urban Forest Effects and Values: Toronto's Urban Forest<http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20Toronto/Parks%20Forestry%20&%20Recreation/Urban%20Forestry/Files/pdf/R/Reports/effects-and-values.pdf>  and Every Tree Counts<http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5e6fdada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=9aad60d066169410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD>.

I hope this is helpful.

Good luck,
Connie
---------------
Connie Pinto
Program Standards & Development Officer
Urban Forestry
416-392-0357
Toronto.ca/trees<http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=470bdada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD>


From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Alan Kemp
Sent: June-21-16 12:11 PM
To: 'Canadian Urban Forest Network'
Subject: [CANUFNET] tree canopy target

The City of Nanaimo has an Urban Forest Management Strategy. In that Strategy we have a target of increasing our forest canopy to over 30% in the next decade. Of course this is difficult in the urban setting. Our Management and Protection of Trees Bylaw supports this document by requiring tree replacement plans for development, which in general terms works. However, I was asked why 30% or even 35%? What is the scientific reasoning behind that. Although I can explain all the benefits of an urban forest, I could not really give a good science based answer. I have looked through a lot of literature, but don't seem to be able to give a reasonable answer.

Any suggestions?

Alan Kemp
Urban Forestry Coordinator
Certified Arborist, Certified Tree Risk Assessor
Community Development
City of Nanaimo
250 755 4460 (local 4357)
alan.kemp at nanaimo.ca<mailto:alan.kemp at nanaimo.ca>
www.nanaimo.ca/goto/urbantrees<http://www.nanaimo.ca/goto/urbantrees>


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