[CANUFNET] Tree Planting Programs

[Ken Snowden]

The City of Abbotsford collects a cash-in-lieu for all street tree plantings from the development community.   The 2020 amount is $625.00 per tree.

Under our Development Bylaw, street trees are included within the civil drawings and are spaced according to criteria set forth for distances from infrastructure; 5m from street lights, 2m from driveway let downs etc.   Once the plan is accepted, we collect the amount above for each tree indicated on the Civil drawing.  We then purchase, plant and maintain utilizing this cash in lieu fund.  We find that it is suitable to support watering for up to two years, stake removal and young tree training in addition to the purchase and planting cost.      Park tree planting is supported by any surplus from this account in addition to capital funding and ongoing operation monies.

I spoke of the need at a BCLNA conference a few years ago for all to pressure the nursery industry to provide quality plant stock.  Girdling roots, topping in the nursery etc. are things that can be overcome if we, as the purchasers of bulk trees, reject trees that are not to Canadian Landscape Standards Sec. 9.  Poor quality trees will lead to poorer results. 

I believe that the bigger issue is the below ground limitations.   We continue to battle with soil volumes, soil quality, conflicts with existing infrastructure etc.    

If we plant better quality trees in more suitable locations, even if it means less trees planted, we will have higher success rates moving forward.  

As the qualified professionals, only we can control these factors that will determine canopy growth into the future.   The general public is relying on us to use our skill and knowledge to not repeat the failures of the past. 

Ken Snowden BCMA
Assistant Manager, Parks Operations
Parks, Recreation & Culture 
Tel: 604-853 5485 ext. 5886






-----Original Message-----
From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Stephen Smith via CANUFNET
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2019 8:09 AM
To: jd at dunster.ca; canufnet at list.web.net
Cc: stephen at ufora.ca
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Tree Planting Programs

I think the failure rate will go up in a few years when all the potted trees with circling roots being planted today get bigger and start to strangle themselves.  This has become the norm not the exception.

Stephen Smith
Urban Forester, ISA Certified Arborist
Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
Urban Forest Associates
www.ufora.ca
off 416-423-3387/cell 416-707-2164
-----Original Message-----
From: Julian Dunster via CANUFNET
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2019 12:27 PM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Cc: Julian Dunster
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Tree Planting Programs

It is good to see the many planting initiates underway. It would be useful to know how many of these include a capital budget for :

a) ensuring the trees get properly established ( so, say a 4-5 year watering and weeding protocol) and

b) what the actual survival rates are.

Over the past few decades I have seen many well intentioned tree planting schemes attracting headlines. Far fewer actually succeeded in creating long term tree canopy. It is an ongoing issue.


Many of my municipal colleagues bemoan the waste of money as they plant trees but have no budget to water them or maintain them in the years after planting, and so the initial capital investment is largely wasted.
Out here on the west coast, summer drought is now our new reality and watering restrictions are commonplace, and even when not enforced, watering is expensive. On some sites I am finding it hard to locate anyone who can water trees well -  as opposed to simply dumping x gallons of water on the ground and assuming it will work.  I also find that gator bags have very variable success. Just because they are there does not automatically mean they work. They need filling regularly, and they need maintenance. I am seeing a lot of case where they encourage moulds / fungi and insect when placed too close to the tree trunk, and other cases where ants seem to love the moisture but plug the drains holes with mud.


How many of you have a capital budget to ensure planting success?

What is the percentage  failure rate of the trees planted?

jd

On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.


Dr. Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist # 378, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA

North American distributor for Rinntech
www.dunster.ca
www.treelaw.info
www.rinntech.info