Managing the Vegetation of theDayton’s Bluff District of St. Paul:

A Risk Assessment andManagement Program

Report #1/4 prepared for: Dayton’s Bluff Community Council,

St. Paul, Minnesota

Prepared by:Stacy Ascher, Joshua Beiningen

Stephen Christopher, Brian McFaddenKristina Portner, and Trevor Wilk

University of MinnesotaCollege of Natural Resources

December 8, 2005

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Gary JohnsonDr. Kristen NelsonKarin DuPaulJacob DorerJean ComstockCarrie DimmickGary BobbLinda ArnesenMiranda and Paul GodfreadDave MurphyNachee LeeBarry WhiteLinda LaBarreMary LehrmanClara Schreiber

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Executive Summary

Dayton’s Bluff, Minnesota, is characterized by a variety of greenspaces. This reportwas developed to assess the risks associated with greenspace vegetative in this area inan attempt to develop a management plan that would lower these risks to acceptablelevels and avoid creating hazardous situations in the future. The report focused onthese main objectives:

• Inventory the current public space vegetation within Dayton’s Bluff.• Conduct a risk assessment of vegetation based on site locations.• Review current programs to address vegetation needs.• Review outside grant programs that may be used to improve the vegetation.• Conduct interviews with community members in order to gain local

perspective.• Develop a risk management plan for the vegetation in Dayton’s Bluff.• Link our recommendation to the District 4 plan.

Data was collected in the field using visual inspection to assess the risk of vegetationbased on the health/condition of trees and the level of usage associated with theirlocation. These areas were then identified as Low Risk, Moderate Risk, or HighRisk. After collecting and analyzing the data, three recommendations were created tolower the risk levels of Dayton’s Bluff’s greenspaces to acceptable levels. All rely oncommunity involvement. These recommendations are:

• Manage invasive and harmful species and replant native species• Manage tree risks• Recommended tree and shrub species to plant in the future

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Table of Contents

List of Figures ........................................................................................................... ivList of Tables ............................................................................................................ iv

Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1Vision ..................................................................................................................... 2Objectives .............................................................................................................. 2Site Characteristics ................................................................................................ 2Vegetation .............................................................................................................. 5

Methods ....................................................................................................................... 5

Findings ....................................................................................................................... 7

Recommendations .................................................................................................... 13Manage Invasive and Harmful Native Species .................................................... 14Manage Tree Risks .............................................................................................. 16Recommended Tree and Shrub Species to Plant in the Future ............................ 17

Discussion ................................................................................................................. 19

References ................................................................................................................. 20

Appendix A: Proper Tree Planting ....................................................................... 22

Appendix B: Agency and Nonprofit Contact Information ................................. 24

Appendix C: Volunteer Tree Planting Events ..................................................... 26

Appendix D: Reducing Root Damage ................................................................... 29

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List of Figures

Figure 1 ........................................................................................................................ 3Figure 2 ........................................................................................................................ 7Figure 3 ........................................................................................................................ 7Figure 4 ........................................................................................................................ 8Figure 5 ........................................................................................................................ 8Figure 6 ........................................................................................................................ 9Figure 7 ........................................................................................................................ 9Figure 8 ........................................................................................................................ 9Figure 9 ........................................................................................................................ 9Figure 10 ...................................................................................................................... 9Figure 11 ...................................................................................................................... 9Figure 12 .................................................................................................................... 10Figure 13 .................................................................................................................... 10Figure 14 .................................................................................................................... 10Figure 15 .................................................................................................................... 10Figure 16 .................................................................................................................... 11Figure 17 .................................................................................................................... 11Figure 18 .................................................................................................................... 11Figure 19 .................................................................................................................... 11Figure 20 .................................................................................................................... 11

List of Tables

Table 1. Type of hazard and level of risk associated with the site ........................... 12

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Introduction

This report was created to be used as a model for assessing the various risksassociated with vegetation in Dayton’s Bluff and to aid in the development of a planto effectively manage and prevent these risks. The Dayton’s Bluff CommunityCouncil was contacted by Professors Kristen Nelson and Gary Johnson with the goalof conducting a senior class project within the district. The Community Councilagreed that this study would be beneficial to Dayton’s Bluff and welcomed studentsto their community to begin the process that took four months to complete.

This study was conducted by students at the University of Minnesota, Twin CitiesCampus, within the College of Natural Resources. Enrolled in a class entitledProblem Solving and Management in Natural Resources, these students were seniorswho had taken many classes exploring natural resources and how they are utilized inour world today. All of these students majored in Environment and NaturalResources, which has concentrations in policy, planning and law; environmentaleducation; and resource conservation and environmental management.

The class formed a total of four project groups that addressed specific issues inDayton’s Bluff. Each of these four groups focused on one of the following areas:trail infrastructure risk assessment, linkages, and management; parks, playground,and recreation risk assessment and management; environmental education inDayton’s Bluff; and vegetation risk assessment, management, and prevention offuture risks. These groups worked closely with each other to bring forward these fourelements in a comprehensive risk management plan.

This particular proposal is concerned with managing vegetation (e.g., trees, shrubs,weeds) and green space (e.g., parks, boulevards) risks, as well as the development ofproposals to increase the vegetation within Dayton’s Bluff. The purpose of this wasto examine the community in detail in order to improve the neighborhood as a whole.

Assessing risk in the community is done by evaluating vegetation within thecommunity and determining what could cause possible harm or damage. Riskmanagement does not look to eliminate risk, but to manage it in a way that minimizespotential dangers. For example, this can be done by removing any noxious orharmful plants, such as poison ivy, in parks that are heavily used by children. Riskmanagement could also be used to address low-hanging branches that protrude oversidewalks or streets. Both of these examples show how vegetation can createunknown dangers within a neighborhood.

The project has evolved through community involvement with the intent that the finalproposal will compliment the District Plan and help guide development withinDayton’s Bluff such that vegetation risks are adequately identified, predicted, andmanaged and green spaces are improved.

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VisionThe vision of the project as a whole was to enhance the quality of life in the Dayton’sBluff community by promoting education and involvement in protecting andmaintaining the natural environment. The vision for vegetation was to addressvegetation-related issues and to develop a plan for management in Dayton’s Bluffthat would be implemented by the community. By accomplishing the vegetationvision, the Dayton’s Bluff community will become involved with protecting andmaintaining the natural environment–including vegetation–in a manner that developshealthy and relatively “safe” greenspaces.

To accomplish this vision, the project focused on increasing aesthetics, managingrisks, and increasing overall value. The project focused on invasive species andimproving current conditions of vegetation by creating an environment which ishealthy and functional. These goals are anticipated to lead to a higher quality of lifeand a greater sense of community pride in Dayton’s Bluff by carrying out thefollowing objectives.

Objectives• Inventory the current public space vegetation within Dayton’s Bluff.• Conduct a risk assessment of vegetation based on site locations.• Review current programs to address vegetation needs.• Review outside grant programs that may be used to improve the vegetation.• Conduct interviews with community members in order to gain local perspective.• Link our recommendation to the District 4 plan.

Site CharacteristicsDayton’s Bluff is located in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. St. Paul, the secondlargest city within the state and home to the state capital, has a population ofapproximately 287,000 people, of which 64% are white, 12% are Asian, 11% areBlack, 8% are Latino, and the American Indian population is 1%. There areapproximately 112,000 housing units in the city with an average of 2.46 people perhousehold. Eighty-three percent of households have at least one vehicle, and 63% ofthe workers in St. Paul drove alone to work, 12% car pooled, and 9% take publictransportation. The median household income is $38,774 with 69% of the residentsover the age of 16 in the work force. Of the people over age 25, 84% have at least ahigh school education, 26% had some college, 32% had a four-year degree, and 12%had a graduate or professional degree.

Dayton’s Bluff is located on St. Paul’s east side, north of the Mississippi River, witha population of 17,000. Nineteen percent of Dayton’s Bluff residents were bornoutside the United States, predominantly in Asia. Due to the diverse backgrounds,28% of residents speak a language other than English at home. The median householdincome, in 2000, was roughly $34,000, with one-third of residents earning less than

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$25,000 annually, according to the 2000 United States Census(http://www.community dataworks.org/StPaul/data/stpaul/nhood/dist4/profile.pdf).

Dayton’s Bluff was founded in the mid-1850s by Lyman Dayton, a railroadspeculator from Vermont (http://www.daytonsbluff.org/old/past.html). It began as afashionable residential area and many of the original historic homes still stand.Dayton’s Bluff has diverse commercial operations including Metropolitan StateUniversity and 3M. Its cultural diversity includes a large Hmong population and afast-growing Latino population.

Parts of the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood were declared a historic district by the St.Paul City Council in August of 2001. Lyman Dayton’s land surveyors had created aplan of gridded streets oriented toward the Mississippi River. The blocks within theneighborhood are densely built but still maintain a sense of the rolling terrain whichdominated the area originally. Many housing styles and types can be seen inDayton’s Bluff, ranging from large mansions to small one-story homes. The

Figure 1.

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neighborhood district is bordered on the south by Highway I-94 and Indian MoundsPark. On the western and northern edges, Swede Hollow, a neighborhood park,forms the edge of the district (http://www.daytonsbluff.org/old/historicdistrict.html).

In 1887, a state law was passed that created the Board of Park Commissioners for St.Paul. This law also allowed the board to issue bonds for the purchase andimprovement of park lands. There was a need to preserve some open space withinDayton’s Bluff after the population boom of the 1880s. The Board of ParkCommissioners approved funds for the purchase of a park within Indian Mounds, butonly 17 acres had been purchased by 1802. The park was expanded to 82 acres in1900.

Swede Hollow Park is in the area that carried Phalen Creek to the Mississippi River. In 1844, William Dugus bought a claim to the area and built a sawmill on the creek. Swedish immigrants settled south of the industrial area and named the valley SvenskaDalen, or Swede Hollow. The area subsequently housed other immigrant populationsof Polish, Italian, and Spanish Americans. The St. Paul Health Department closed thearea to residents in 1956 as a result of the lack of a sewer or city water system. Thecity decided to turn the area into a park in 1973, after the neighborhood residents andSt. Paul Garden Club began working with the St. Paul Parks Department for this goal.

Greenspace within Dayton’s Bluff can be separated into two separate types: publicand private. It is important to distinguish between these two because of the amountof control a community has over public greenspace and the lack of controlcommunities have over private greenspace. Private greenspace is made up ofresidential areas and various businesses, such as golf courses or restaurants. Theseareas cannot be managed directly without the consent of these business owners. Thismeans that any management strategy cannot rely on the participation of businessowners, but should encourage business owners to contribute.

Public greenspace, on the other hand, is within the power of the community toeffectively manage. There are different types of these areas that are distinguishableand they need to be managed accordingly. Public greenspace consists of parks andcorridors.

Parks can be either used as a visual resource or multiuse. These would include placesthat are inaccessible such as roadside landscaping and Mississippi floodplains. Parksthat are appreciated just for their aesthetic value will not need to be given nearly asmuch attention as multiuse parks. Multiuse parks are any parks owned by thegovernment that are utilized by neighborhoods and communities, such as playgroundsat school. These are greenspace areas where management can be as intense asneeded.

The other type of public greenspace is corridors. Corridors consist of boulevards andmedians, trails and pathways independent of the road, and trails that are integrated

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with roads. By effectively managing the vegetation in these areas, Dayton’s Bluffresidents can minimize their risk and enhance the natural beauty of their community.

VegetationThe presettlement vegetation of the area–including southeast through centralMinnesota–was primarily made up of bur oak savanna. Areas of tallgrass prairie andmaple-basswood forest were also common for the region. The prairies wereconcentrated on level to gently rolling portions of the landscape, in the center of thesubsection, while the bur oak savanna grew more on the western edge and in narrowvalleys around the eastern edge. Maple-basswood typically only took hold in theareas that were protected from fire (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecs/index.html).

The current composition of much of the area was converted into farmland andeventually to urban development. Specifically, the northern area of the regionincluding the area of Dayton’s Bluff has seen a great deal of urban growth.

Black locust and buckthorn are two invasive species that are found commonlythroughout Dayton’s Bluff. These plants create ecological and visual problems andissues for the community. Left unattended these species present the risk ofovertaking the understory of the forested areas, preventing the growth of morefavorable tree species and limiting the recreational space of the area.

Black locust is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 75 feet. It easilyreproduces by root suckering and stump sprouting, creating an extensive rootingsystem. It is native to the United States and is found primarily in the lowerAppalachian Mountains. Mowing and burning of infested areas are only temporarysolutions since they can easily resprout.

Buckthorn is a tall understory shrub or small tree with a maximum height of about 20feet and often has multiple stems at the base. Buckthorn can aggressively invadeunderstory forests, out-competing and eliminating native plants. It leafs out early inthe spring and retains its leaves until late in the fall, creating a dense shade that givesit a competitive edge against all other plants. Prescribed fires and tree pulling areeffective measures for control. Buckthorn is a restricted noxious weed in the state ofMinnesota.

Methods

The primary method of data collection was through field data collection. Weconducted visual inspections for risk analysis in the field by walking, bicycling, andby automobile. Seventy-five percent of the parks and greenspaces were inventoriedin Dayton’s Bluff in this fashion. We followed a criterion of risk indicators thatincluded: decay, stem cankers, hangers, cut roots, mushrooms, poor limb attachment,

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invasive species, and obstructions within the sightline or trail. When inventoryingareas, uniform data sheets were used to record and collect data. For each area thedata sheet contained: the area being inventoried, time and date, observations, andcontacts made.

We inventoried city and school parks in Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood, paying greaterattention to the areas with higher use. We used data from the other groups todetermine what areas were of higher use. Simply by having more people in them ona regular basis increased the chance for an incident.

According to guidelines released by the USDA Forest Service, it is important tocritically evaluate the vegetation to determine if there are any defects when assessingrisk. This is an important step in managing the risk involved with vegetation. Bydetermining what areas have a higher risk, these areas can be given a higher priority(http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/chptr3_sec7.pdf).

We interviewed Dayton’s Bluff residents and committee board members at a District4 council meeting (September 19, 2005) regarding their specific concerns. In-personand phone interviews were also conducted with experts and civic leaders. Whileconducting visual inspections, we spoke to a variety of people who were recreating inthe greenspaces. These individuals were chosen based on their presence in the park.

Additional historical, ecological and demographic information was done on theDayton’s Bluff area via websites and books. We have included data from the othergroups that are focusing on trails and parks and recreation.

We have also used information from resource management manuals, specificallytargeted for vegetation, and risk assessment and management. We have receivedinformation from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on the history ofthe vegetation makeup for the region as well as information from the USDA ForestService (MN DNR 2005a; USDA-FS 2005).

Therefore, the rating system we used to categorize our findings was based on atwofold criterion. First, the trees or other vegetation were evaluated on theircondition and likelihood to fail. Second, these trees and vegetation were evaluatedbased on their proximity to high use areas and thus increasing the chances of thefailure causing harm to people or property. Together, these two criteria made up theover all risk assigned to an aspect of that area. With that said, it is possible for a treewith severe damage in a low-use area to have a lower risk than one with less damagein a high-use area. It is important to note that all areas, regardless of their condition,have some degree of risk. Risk is an evaluation of the probability that somethingmay happen. If there are no circumstances present that increase the probability of anincident, then the risk for that area is considered low. It is not possible to state thereis “no risk” present since all areas will always have some probability of somethinghappening, therefore we state that there is a “low risk.”

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The three categories that were used to rate the level of risk were the following:

1. Low risk: There are no current defects present that would indicate immediatefailure and danger to people present.

2. Moderate risk: There are defects or damage present that will eventually result intree failure, which require some preventive action.

3. High risk: There are current defects and damage present that put people in thatarea in immediate and likely danger. Corrective action is advised immediately.

Findings

In order to assign an area as high use, we evaluated the location to the proximity offeatures that would encourage use. An area with picnic tables, trails, fire pits andbenches has more likelihood of being used and is thus given a high use rating. If ahigh risk factor for vegetation was present in such a location, then the overall risk ofthe location was labeled as high. If a high risk vegetation factor was observed but itwas not located in proximity to a high use area (i.e., in the middle of a wooded areawith no trails present) then the overall risk for that location was reduced to moderateor even low risk. If a location was found to have any high vegetation risks present ina high use area it is assigned a high risk rating overall, in that location for that type ofrisk hazard. It is possible to have multiple moderate or low risk sites throughout alocation. As long as none of these sites are in high use areas they remained at a lowerrisk rating.

American Indian Magnet School/Mounds Elementary• Dead trees near parking lot along Fremont Dead End, also in close proximity

to a sidewalk and basketball court = HIGH RISK (see Figure 2). • Deadwood and dead trees near abandoned tennis courts = low risk (see Figure

3).

Figure 3.Figure 2.

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Burns Park• No noticeable tree defects = low risk.

Dayton’s Bluff Elementary• No noticeable tree defects = low risk.

Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center• Deadwood along sidewalks = HIGH RISK (see Figure 4). • Dead trees in service area = HIGH RISK.• Severed tree roots along road to service entrance and near sidewalk = HIGH

RISK (see Figure 5).

Indian Mounds Park• Deadwood near picnic area and tot-lot = HIGH RISK.• Deadwood near fire rings = HIGH RISK.• Hanger on the trail leading to the burial mounds = moderate risk.• Dead trees on park grounds = moderate risk (see Figure 6).• Deadwood near ballpark = HIGH RISK.• Trees with extensive storm damage and some decay east of the ballpark =

moderate risk (see Figure 7). • Trees with decay and cavities = moderate risk (see Figures 8 and 9).

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

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Johnson Parkway• Deadwood near intersection with Margaret = HIGH RISK (see Figures 10

and 11). • Deadwood near intersection with Beech = HIGH RISK.

Figure 7.

Figure 6.

Figure 8. Figure 9.

Figure 11.Figure 10.

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Margaret Recreation Center• Trees with stem cankers bordering parking lot and sidewalk = low risk (see

Figure 12).

Mounds Park• Dead trees bordering tennis court = HIGH RISK (see Figure 13).

Parkway Elementary• Dead tree on steep slope near parking lot on school grounds = HIGH RISK.• String of dead saplings along road near ballpark = low risk (see Figure 14). • Deadwood over road and main sidewalk in front of school = HIGH RISK

(see Figure 15).

Sixth Street• Dead trees along side walk = moderate risk • Damaged tree with dead wood and cavity over side walk = HIGH RISK (see

Figure 16).• Multiple overgrown trees that obstruct view and side walk = HIGH RISK

(see Figure 17).

Figure 12.

Figure 13.

Figure 14. Figure 15.

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Swede Hollow• Hanging branches near trail by upper parking lot = moderate risk.• Large quantity of dead trees in low-use areas = low risk.• Mushrooms are a curiosity to children and pose a potential health hazard, as

well as a sign of root decay = low risk.• Severed tree root along trail by upper parking lot = moderate risk.• Poison ivy present near trail along tree line = moderate risk (see Figure 18). • Trees with weak limb attachments and some decay near trails = HIGH RISK

(see Figure 19).• Branches obstructing trail = moderate risk (see Figure 20).• Invasive species present: Buckthorn & Black Locus present throughout hill

sides in park = HIGH RISK.

Figure 16.Figure 17.

Figure 20.

Figure 19.Figure 18.

Table 1. Type of hazard and level of risk associated with the site.

Location DecayCanker/Cavity

DeadWood Dead Tree Hanger Cut Roots

Poison Ivy Mushroom Attchmt Invasives Trl Obst

Am. Ind. Mag.School/Mounds Elem LOW HIGH

Burns Park

Dayton's Bluff Elem

Dayton's Bluff Rec Ct HIGH HIGH HIGH

Indian Mounds Park MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM HIGH

Johnson Pkwy LOW HIGH MEDIUM

Margaret Rec Ctr LOW

Mounds Park HIGH

Parkway Elementary HIGH HIGH

Sixth Street MEDIUM HIGH HIGH MEDIUM LOW LOW HIGH

Swede Hollow LOW HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH

Definition of hazardDecay—Significant tree decay or rot that weakens or increases the odds of tree failure.Canker—A visible wound that significantly weakens the tree structure.Dead Wood—Branch on tree that has died but is still attached.Hanger—A tree limb that has broken off and will eventually fall.Cut Roots—Roots that have been severed and decreases stability of tree.Mushroom—Mushrooms: visible signs of decay and possible health hazard. Attchmt—Attachments: Limbs poorly attached to the tree that may be subject to failure.Invasives—Non-native and native species that displace desirable species.Trl Obst—Trail Obstruction: vegetation that obscures or hinders t he use of trails.

The level of risk (high, medium or low) was assigned to the hazard based on its location and severity. Location to trails, playgrounds, benches and any other type of facilitiesthat would attract the use of people increased the level of risk that the hazard would impose to people nearby. This was weighed against the severity of thehazard and likelihood that the tree would fail or other hazards would occur. A blank entry on the tallysheet indicates that no significant risk associated with that hazard in those locations were found.

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Recommendations

Three recommendations have been developed for the Dayton’s Bluff community.These recommendations are:

1. Manage invasive and harmful species and replant native species2. Manage tree risks3. Recommended tree and shrub species to plant in the future

On the basis of what was observed in Dayton’s Bluff, we recommend the followingprioritization of management actions.

High risks should receive top priority and these risks include:• Deadwood and dead trees at American Indian Magnet School/Mounds

Elementary• Deadwood, dead trees and severed roots at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center• Deadwood in multiple areas of Indian Mounds Park• Deadwood along Johnson Parkway• Dead trees at Mounds Park• Deadwood and dead trees at Parkway Elementary• Damaged and overgrown trees and deadwood along Sixth Street• Dead trees, weak limb attachments and invasive species at Swede Hollow

Moderate risks should be attended to following high risk actions:• Hangers and dead, damaged trees in low use areas of Indian Mounds Park• Dead trees along sidewalks of Sixth Street• Hanging branches, severed roots, branch obstructions and poison ivy at Swede

Hollow

Low risks:• Deadwood and dead trees in unused areas of American Indian Magnet

School/Mounds Elementary• Trees with cankers at Margaret Recreation Center• Dead saplings at Parkway Elementary• Dead trees and mushrooms at Swede Hollow

Healthy organisms, including trees and vegetation, are more resilient to disease andenvironmental stress. Poorly-sited (e.g., wrong plants in the wrong place) andunhealthy trees and vegetation are more likely to fail and conflict with signs, utilitylines, and sight lines, and threaten personal property. These trees are more likely tofail because they decay faster and have more deadwood and dieback, which areindicators of unhealthy conditions. The use of appropriate species reduces the risksassociated with allergies, messy fruit and thorns. Removing invasive species and

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preventing their spread with native plantings preserves the historical and theenvironmental integrity of Dayton’s Bluff.

The first step in developing a management plan is to identify the areas of concern. Itis important to break these areas into smaller, more manageable parcels. Trainedvolunteers could be assigned to these parcels based on their personal preferences. These volunteers would be responsible for monitoring and maintenance of theirparcel. They may need to seek outside help for high risk management actions, suchas the removal of dead wood and dead trees. These circumstances may require theservices of professional arborists, city foresters or utility companies. Some moderaterisks, such as hangers (see Table 1) and poison ivy, as well as most low riskmanagement actions could be accomplished by these trained volunteers. Thesevolunteers could be from existing programs or trained by outside agencies such asGreat River Greening.

Projects could be further broken down into physical removal, chemical control, orreplanting. Physical removal is vital in high risk situations, such as dead wood ordead trees and invasive species such as buckthorn or black locust. Chemical controlis appropriate when dealing with poison ivy. After the use of these methods, it isimportant to conduct replanting of appropriate and desirable species. This is animportant step to reduce the risk of re-invasion.

Manage Invasive and Harmful Native Species During the inventory of the community, some invasive and harmful species werefound. These include poison ivy, buckthorn, and black locust. Poison ivy, althoughnative to Minnesota, contains urushiol, an extreme irritant found in the sap of theplant’s leaves, stems, and roots that can cause a severe skin rash (Royer andDickinson 2004).

Buckthorn is an aggressive invader that eliminates native species as it produces adense, single-species understory. It has a competitive advantage in that it producesleaves earlier in the spring and retains them longer in the fall than native species,thereby extending its growing season while shading out natives throughout theirgrowing season (MN DNR 2002).

Black locust, a native of the Appalachians, is similar to buckthorn in its ability tocrowd out natives and form a single-species understory. Its reproduction is by rootsuckering and stump sprouting (MN DNR 2002).

Invasive species, such as these, are a management concern because they out-competeand crowd out more desirable species. The loss of these native plant species cantrigger a corresponding loss in the wildlife that depend upon them for food andshelter. Removal and control of these species could easily be done with theassistance of well-trained volunteers.

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Poison ivy is present at Swede Hollow and is considered a moderate risk due to theneed for corrective action. Its removal requires special care. Highly-sensitiveindividuals should not participate in its removal. When there are only a small numberof poison ivy plants and the soil is wet, the plant can be dug up. However, this is notrecommended when the soil is dry or when there are numerous plants as any intactrhizomes will resprout. Repeated cutting with the use of hand tools will eventuallyconsume the plant’s reserves and starve it out, but power tools should be avoided asthey pose a hazard of spraying the irritant urushiol. A number of herbicides arerecommended, including Roundup® and Garlon®, but all necessary precautionsshould be taken as printed on packaging labels (The PoliceNotebook 2005).

Buckthorn’s prolific seed production and the longevity of its seeds necessitate amultiyear program for its removal. Where possible, prescribed fires are an effectivemeans of buckthorn control. In the case of small infestations, manual pulling orcutting are also effective. Cut-stump treatments with either glyphosate or basal barkspray are effective as well for larger trees (MN DNR 2002).

In the case of black locust, burning and even mowing is effective only temporarilydue to its ability to vigorously resprout and spread vegetatively. Effective techniquesinclude cut-stump treatments with glyphosate or basal bark treatments with triclopyr(MN DNR 2002).

Buckthorn and Black locust are both present in Swede Hollow. This is considered ahigh risk situation on the basis that immediate corrective action is recommended toprevent the further spread and degradation of the landscape.

Eradication methods often result in disturbed soil, which is the ideal condition for theestablishment of invasive species. Once invasive species have been removed, it isimportant to establish more appropriate and desirable vegetation to reduce the risk ofre-invasion. Replant these areas with native species (WI DNR 2005). The MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources has listings of plants native to Minnesota that canbe found at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/plant_list9-25-02.pdf andhttp://files.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/nhnrp/nckey.pdf.

Invasive species have an additional competitive advantage over natives in the abilityof their seeds to persist in the soil for extended periods of time, often many years.Monitoring and follow-up treatments are necessary to counter the lingering threat ofre-invasion by these persistent seed sources.

Community programs may be developed and/or expanded to prevent the spread ofinvasive species and to work in the removal of these species. These programs willdepend on community volunteer efforts. There are outside organizations that workwith community groups to promote urban forestry.

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Great River Greening, a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, works withcommunities and agencies to restore open spaces in the Twin Cities metro area.Services they provide include (Our Work 2005):

• ecological inventories and analysis• landscape designs• management plans• restoration projects• volunteer management• training and education• resource monitoring

Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County have received statefunding for the Mississippi River Bluff Restoration Project. Their main objectives areto (Friends of the Parks 2005):

• remove invasive plants, especially buckthorn, from the Mississippi Riverbluffs and to replant with native species

• educate the public about invasive species • establish a management plan for the bluffs

See Appendix B for contact information.

Manage Tree RisksThe inventory revealed the presence of trees that pose a risk because they are dead,diseased, or decaying, all of which are prime indicators of potential tree failure. Suchtrees are a management concern because they may cause harm to infrastructure,animals, or humans.

Vegetation is a hazard when it blocks the sight lines of vehicular and pedestriantraffic along roadways. The City of St. Paul maintains guidelines for safe boulevardplantings. Plants cannot exceed 36 inches in height and they cannot encroach ontosidewalks, curbs, or the street (City of St. Paul 2005).

A prime method of managing tree risk is to avoid high risk situations in the firstplace. Choosing appropriate species and implementing proper planting andmaintenance techniques reduces the probability that trees will fail. Tree speciesshould be matched to the site on the basis of their soil, nutrient, light and waterrequirements as well as their growth characteristics. See both volumes of the SilvicsManual of North America, found at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo, for specificinformation on species and site requirements (Johnson, Hauer, and Pokorny 2005).

Improper tree planting can result in tree failure by negatively impacting tree health.Proper tree planting techniques are the same regardless of tree type or whether they

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are bare root, containerized, or balled-and-burlapped stock. Basic guidelines can befound in Appendix A (Hauer, Johnson, and Pokorny 2005).

Construction can damage trees and their root systems, impacting tree health andincreasing the risk of tree failure. Damage to the wood or bark of a tree depletes thattree’s energy reserves as it slowly heals while also providing a point of entry forinsects, disease, and decay. Decay, always the result of wounds, is a primary cause oftree failure. A healthy, undamaged root system is essential for anchoring trees.

The most common type of construction damage to street trees is root loss. Roughly50% of a tree’s root system is within one foot of the surface and 90% is within thetop three feet. See Appendix D for methods to reduce root damage (Johnson, Hauer,and Pokorny 2005).

Deicing salts accumulate in soils along roadsides and within planters, resulting indamage to, and the death of, shrubs and trees. To prevent salt damage to vegetation,we recommend the following:

• When spreading deicing salts on sidewalks, use formulations that do notcontain sodium or chloride

• Insure that deicing salts are only applied to pavement

Dead or dying trees provide a unique opportunity to create wildlife habitat. Bybeheading these trees, or removing all but the lower fifteen to twenty feet, you createdead standing trees known as snags, which are ideal habitat for tree-cavity dwellingspecies while simultaneously reducing the risk of tree failure. This practice is notrecommended for street trees, but turning dead trees in parks, schoolyards and naturalareas into snags increases the opportunities for environmental education.

The US Department of the Interior conducted a survey, the 1996 National Survey ofFishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreations, and reported that 62.9 millionpeople value wildlife highly enough to feed, observe or photograph wild animals inurban areas, particularly near their own homes. By creating snags for wildlife, youprovide wild animals with a place to forage for and store food, to nest or den, andperches or roosting sites. Leaving the cuttings from beheading on-site in a slash pilealso creates habitat (MacKenzie et al. 2005).

Recommended Tree and Shrubs Species to Plant in the FutureWhen speaking with community members, the desire was expressed for species toplant in the future. Some of the factors that have been causing declines in treepopulations are soils that have accumulated deicing salts, poor planting practices, anddamage during ice storms and construction. Additional species can be found throughthe Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the Department of Natural Resources.

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Trees tolerant of salt injury (Johnson, Hauer, and Pokorny 2005):• Black alder• Japanese tree lilac• Norway maple

Trees with intermediate tolerance of ice storms (Johnson, Hauer, and Pokorny 2005):• Bur oak (native)• Eastern white pine (native)• Northern red oak (native)• Red maple (native) • Sugar maple (native) • Sycamore• White ash (native)

Trees resistant to ice storms (Johnson, Hauer, and Pokorny 2005)• Arborvitae• Black walnut (native)• Blue beech (native)• Catalpa• Eastern hemlock (native)• Ginkgo• Ironwood (native)• Kentucky coffee tree• Littleleaf linden

These recommendations will benefit from the active pursuit of funding as well asfrom community involvement. There are a number of nonprofit and publicorganizations and state programs that could provide funding in the form of grants andtechnical assistance. These programs include:

• The DNR offers Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants to improvecommunity forestry programs

• The DNR administers the Minnesota ReLeaf Program, which “assistsMinnesota communities with planting and caring for their trees” (MN ReLeafProgram)

See Appendix B for contact information.

Dayton’s Bluff has an existing program to combat buckthorn, as well as many otheropportunities to foster and encourage community involvement. Appendix C offersadditional suggestions from TreePeople, a nonprofit organization promotingcommunity involvement in urban forestry, for improving and maximizing theeffectiveness of volunteer tree planting events.

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Discussion

In developing a management plan for risk in Dayton’s Bluff it must be understoodthat it is not necessarily a dangerous place. It should also be known that risk can onlybe managed and reduced but never completely eliminated. A risk is something thatyou are aware of that poses a potential threat to people or property. The people andproperty are the targets of the risks or hazards of an area. After creating theawareness of these potential dangers, you can then develop a management plan.

In every situation, there is inherent risk. The process of inventorying allows you toassess what is present. Following the inventory, decisions must be made as to how toachieve stated goals. This is followed by an evaluation of those decisions. In the caseof managing risk, the goal is to prevent risks or lower them to an acceptable level.

An example of removing or reducing risk is the mechanical or manual removal ofpoison ivy from a park. The risk is lessened because the source of the potential harmis eliminated. On the other hand, risk can also be lowered by minimizing the target. In the case of poison ivy, the surrounding vegetation could be allowed to grow,thereby reducing the likelihood that people will come in contact with the poison ivy. This can be done as simply as letting the grass grow to two to three feet along theedge of a park where poison ivy might be found.

Since risk cannot be “eradicated” the goal is to reach a level that we are comfortablewith, an “acceptable risk.” Every area is also situation specific. As the level of use isincreases, so does the level of risk. Also, the level of risk can be dependant on thecharacteristics of the area and activities within the area.

Through various management techniques, risks can be controlled and desired goalsachieved. In the case of Dayton’s Bluff, appropriate management will result in asafer community. This goal can be achieved through preventative measures, such asselecting appropriate species for a given site, thus avoiding the risks associated withpoor vegetation selection. Management involves informing the public as well as thecommunity directly participating in the use of the greenspaces.

In order to successfully manage greenspace, priorities need to be established andgoals clearly stated. This requires participation at all levels, from the city and districtcouncil to volunteer groups. With Dayton’s Bluff’s commitment to citizenparticipation, implementation of these proposals will result in a higher quality of lifefor its residents and greater pride in the community. A high quality of life includes asafe environment for everyone’s enjoyment. It also includes having options for allcommunity members. Communities need to be able to choose between differentparks, different activities, both indoor and outdoor, and feel safe using all differentoptions. Making sure these different options are safe for the entire community andaccessibility allows everyone to enjoy the resources.

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References

AllRefer.com Reference. 2005. http://reference.allrefer.com/gazetteer/M/M07886-minnesota.html. Date accessed October 6, 2005. Last updated 2005.

Dayton’s Bluff Historical District. 2004.http://www.daytonsbluff.org/old/historicdistrict.html, Date accessed October 6,2005. Last updated April 24, 2004.

Dayton’s Bluff History. http://www.daytonsbluff.org/old/past.html. Date accessedSeptember 27, 2005. Last updated April 24, 2004.

Dayton’s Bluff: Friends of Swede Hollow. 2002. http://www.daytonsbluff.org/old/FOSH.html. Date accessed October 6, 2005. Last updated June 9, 2002.

Dayton’s Bluff: A Short History of Indian Mound Park. 2004. http://www.daytonsbluff.org/ old/AShortHistoryofMoundsPark.html. Dateaccessed October 6, 2005. Last updated July 2, 2004.

Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County: The MississippiRiver Bluff Restoration Project. 2001.http://www.friendsoftheparks.org/explain.html [Online] Date accessed: October31, 2005. Last Updated: November 8, 2001

Hauer, R. J., G. Johnson, and J. D. Pokorny. 2005. Urban Tree Risk Management:Chapter 4, Section Two: Proper Tree Planting Techniques.http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/chptr4_sec2.pdf. [Online]. Dateaccessed: October 27, 2005

Johnson, G., R. J. Hauer, and J. D. Pokorny. 2005. Urban Tree Risk Management:Chapter 4, Section One: Prevention of Hazardous Tree Defects.http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/chptr4_sec1.pdf. [Online]. Dateaccessed: October 27, 2005

MacKenzie, M., T. T. Dunlap, B. J. Spears, and J. G. O’Brien. 2005. Urban TreeRisk Management: Chapter 5, Section Two: Converting Hazardous Trees intoWildlife Trees. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/chptr5_sec2.pdf[Online]. Date accessed: October 27, 2005.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2002. Minnesota Invasive Non-nativeTerrestrial Plants: An Identification Guide for Resource Managers. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005a.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecs/index.html. Date accessed October 6, 2005. Lastupdated 2005.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005b. Minnesota ReLeaf Program.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/releaf.html. [Online] Dateaccessed: September 20, 2005.

Our Work: Great River Greening. 2005.http://www.greatrivergreening.org/our_work.asp [Online] Date accessed:October 31, 2005.

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The PoliceNotebook: University of Oklahoma Police Department. 2005. http://www.ou.edu/oupd/pivyp.htm [Online]. Date accessed: September 10, 2005

Royer, F., and R. Dickinson. 2004. Weeds of the Northern U.S. and Canada. Renton, WA / Edmonton, Alberta: Lone Pine Publishing / The University ofAlberta Press.

Tekiela, S. 2001. Trees of Minnesota: Field Guide. Cambridge, MN: AdventurePublications, Inc.

USDA Forest Service: Urban Tree Risk Management: A Community Guide toProgram Design and Implementation. 2005.http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/. Date accessed September 8, 2005. Last updated September 2005.

Wilder Research Center: Census Facts–Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood. 2004. http://www.communitydataworks.org/StPaul/data/stpaul/nhood/dist4/profile.pdf. Date accessed September 27, 2005. Last updated July 2004.

Wilder Research Center: Census Facts–St. Paul City. 2004. http://www.communitydataworks. org/StPaul/data/stpaul/city/profile.pdf. Dateaccessed October 6, 2005. Last updated July 2004.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Wisconsin Manual of ControlRecommendations: Ecologically Invasive Plants.http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/pubs/intro.htm [Online]. Date accessed:November 16, 2005. Last updated: August 29, 2005

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Appendix A: Proper Tree Planting

Trees are purchased as bare root, containerized, or balled-and-burlapped, but plantingtechniques are the same, handling considerations will depend on the size and species.

• Inspect tree stock before purchase:

" Avoid severely pot-bound trees and encircling roots• Match tree species to the site

" soil type" soil pH" above- and below-ground drainage" available growing space" exposure to sun, wind, ice and snow, and de-icing salts" cold hardiness

• Prepare the site" Remove sod" Till or spade an area three- to five-times the size of the tree’s root system

to the depth of the root system to loosen soil for root expansion" Center and dig a hole in this loosened area between one and two feet

larger than the root ball, but deep enough so that when planted, the rootcollar (the tree stem’s base where primary roots first begin to branch off)is at or slightly above the soil surface

• Prepare the tree" For only slightly pot-bound roots, make a four vertical cuts at regular

intervals at the edge of the root ball, cut an X across the bottom of the rootball to a depth of one inch, and then gently loosen roots before planting

" For encircling roots that are still flexible, straighten and adjust them toradiate out from the trunk

" Remove broken or damaged roots and branches with a sharp hand prunerbefore planting

" Remove branches that cross or rub against each other" Keep all roots, whether bare root, containerized, or balled-and-burlaped,

moist until planting" For bare root trees, keep moist with damp straw or sawdust, and then soak

roots for an hour before planting" Remove all containers prior to planting

• Plant the tree" Place tree in center of hole and backfill around the roots with loosened

soil to the height of the root collar" Water to compact soil and eliminate air pockets" Mulch with four to six inches of shredded bark or wood chips, but prevent

direct contact with the root collar and trunk

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• Water" Water newly-planted trees daily for the first week or two" Apply between one and three gallons of water per caliper-inch per at each

watering" Following the second week, water every two to three days for two to three

months" Following three months, water weekly until the tree is established" Adjust watering to accommodate rain or drought

• Situations to avoid" Planting trees at an improper depth (i.e. burying root collar), helps prevent

stem-girdling roots and tree failure" Applying too much mulch can result in stem-girdling roots and decay" Apply water directly to the area of the root ball as this is where newly-

planted trees absorb water until roots establish and grow into surroundingsoil

" Prevent damage to trees by animals with a 12- to 24-inch cylinder of ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth placed around the trunk with two to three inchesof space between the mesh and the trunk

Source: Hauer, R. J., G. Johnson, and J. D. Pokorny. 2005. Chapter 4, Section Two: ProperTree Planting Techniques. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/chptr4_sec2.pdf[Online]. Date Accessed: October 27, 2005

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Appendix B: Agency and Nonprofit Contact Information

The Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County1621 Beechwood AvenueSaint Paul, MN 55116 Telephone: 651-698-4543Fax: 651-698-8761 Email: peggylynch@visi.com Website: http://www.friendsoftheparks.org/

Great River Greening35 West Water StreetSuite 201Saint Paul, MN 55107-2016Phone: 651/665-9500Fax: 651/665-9409Website: http://www.greatrivergreening.org/

Minnesota ReLeaf ProgramKen Holman, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator”DNR Forestry1200 Warner Road, Box 28St Paul MN 55106Phone: (651) 772-7565Fax: (651) 772-7599Email: ken.holman@dnr.state.mn.usWebsite: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/releaf.html

TreePeopleGeneral Information12601 Mulholland DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90210Telephone (818) 753-4600Fax (818) 753-4635Email: info@treepeople.orgWebsite: http://www.treepeople.org/

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The University of Minnesota’s Soil Testing LabRoom 135 Crops Research Building,1902 Dudley Ave,St Paul, MN 55108-6089Phone: 612 625-3101FAX: 612 624-3420Email: soiltest@umn.eduWebsite: http://soiltest.coafes.umn.edu/

Urban and Community Forestry Challenge GrantsKen Holman, Urban and Community Forestry Program CoordinatorDNR Forestry1200 Warner Road, Box 28St Paul MN 55106Phone: (651) 772-7565Fax: (651) 772-7599Email: ken.holman@dnr.state.mn.usWebsite: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/urban.html

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Appendix C: Volunteer Tree Planting Events

Determine the scope and scale of the event. Choosing and planning for scope andscale depend on:

• The number of experienced leaders available• The number of volunteers participating• The difficulty of the site• The size of the trees• Planting requirements

TreePeople (see Appendix B for contact information) estimate that a team of two orthree adult volunteers can plant a large street tree in two hours. After includinglogistics and cleanup, a team should not be expected to plant more than two or threetrees in a day.

Prepare the site in advance by cutting pavement, concrete or asphalt, and hauling itaway. Check 48 hours in advance for underground utilities. Dig a test hole todetermine what tools will be required for the planting.

Gauge the general soil quality by examining established vegetation. Soil pH testingkits are inexpensive and widely available. Soil samples can also be sent to a testinglab, such as the University of Minnesota’s Soil Testing Lab (see Appendix B forcontact information), for analysis.

Poor drainage is a common problem in urban areas. To test drainage:• Dig a hole one foot across and one foot deep• Fill the hole with water• If less than one inch of water has drained after one hour, the site has poor

drainage• Optimal drainage is between one and three inches per hour• If more than three inches has drained after one hour, the site had excessive

drainage

Poor drainage can be improved by drilling or augering holes that are several feetdeep every few feet and then filling these holes with coarse gravel. Excessivedrainage can be improved by mixing the soil with an organic soil amendment.

Newly-planted trees require water to become established. • Make preparations to water trees during and after the planting event• Water all species deeply, even drought-tolerant species• Providing adequate water during planting and establishment prevents future

tree failure

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Options for watering include:• Encouraging residents or businesses to water their own tree• Fire stations may participate by providing a fire engine at the site• Acquire approval to tap fire hydrants and get special equipment from the fire

department, such as eddy valves and wrenches, to open hydrants• Organize a bucket brigade

The organizers of any volunteer event should make restrooms and drinking wateravailable to all volunteers.

• Get permission from gas stations, restaurants, private businesses, churches,etc., to use their facilities

• Rent portable toilets, or borrow them from road construction or highwayagencies

• Provide drinking water

Suppliers often only make deliveries on weekdays, therefore anticipate storingsupplies for weekend events. Plan a central and secure location for storage.

Plan in advance for disposal after the event. Planting style and tree size willdetermine of soil will be left over after planting. In residential areas, this soil is oftentaken by private homeowners for their gardens. In commercial areas, this soil willhave to be transported and disposed of. Volunteer labor and a dump truck fordisposal may be acquired through street maintenance or parks departments. If sitepreparation required the cutting and removal of pavement, concrete or asphalt,inquire whether city agencies will dispose of the debris. If the cutting wascontracted, require the contractor to dispose of the debris. Disposal can also beaccomplished by renting a roll-off debris dumpster from a private waste hauler.

If the event also involves maintenance of trees, tree pruning may produce a largevolume of trimmings. Inquire if city agencies will provide and operate a chipper andbe interested in the resulting mulch.

Safety should be a prime concern during any volunteer event. • Provide a fully equipped first-aid kit• Have the phone numbers for the nearest first responders on-site• Assign a qualified volunteer to oversee first-aid

Only responsible and trust-worthy individuals should operate power tools andvehicles. Do not allow children or adults to ride on vehicle tailgates or on the sidesof trunks. Provide a spotter for vehicle movement. Provide proper instruction for thesafe transporting and operation of all tools.

• Keep all tools pointed down or flat on the ground• Maintain adequate distance between volunteers if swinging tools are used

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For large events, walkie-talkies facilitate communications and can be rented fromaudiovisual supply companies. Local ham radio clubs may also be willing to assist incommunications.

Inform city council members and other officials about the event so that they havean opportunity to offer assistance as well as making them aware of your efforts andyour commitment to the project. Several days before the event, contact the localpolice station about the event to prevent confusion and to provide them with anopportunity to offer assistance.

Inquire if city agencies, state or county foresters, or the USDA Forest Service orNational Park Service will provide a tool bank for the event. If such a tool bank isnot locally available for volunteer events, convince your city council of itsimportance for neighborhood volunteer projects. Set up a system of checking outtools to prevent theft or loss.

Provide food to show your appreciation of volunteers. Ask interested volunteers thatare unable to perform the physical activities required for the event to provide snacksor beverages. Ask local restaurants and businesses to donate food or cater the event.

A volunteer event requires an Advance Team:• An Event Developer is necessary for large events and is in charge of the

project from beginning to end• An Event Leader leads teams during the event and is responsible for: an

intimate knowledge of the site; equipment and supplies; directing volunteersand answering questions during the event

• An Event Supervisor is trained in advance to lead volunteers in planting ormaintenance projects

• A Troubleshooter should be given very little work during the event so thatthey are free to deal with problems and situations as they arise

Source: The Simple Act of Planting a Tree [Online]http://www.treepeople.org/simpleact.chapter4.htm Date accessed: October 27, 2005

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Appendix D: Reducing Root Damage

• Maintain an adequate distance between sidewalks and trees, as determined byspecies requirements (3 to 5 feet minimum).

• Plant trees on the opposite side of sidewalks from roads.• Avoid widening streets or sidewalks when they are replaced.• To minimize damage during root cutting, expose roots with air or water tools to

facilitate clean root cutting rather than ripping them with a backhoe.• Develop common trenches for utilities and tunnel under root systems rather than

trenching through them.• Avoid regrading near trees.

Source: Johnson, G., R. J. Hauer, and J. D. Pokorny. 2005. Urban Tree Risk Management:Chapter 4, Section One: Prevention of Hazardous Tree Defects.http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/utrmm/chptr4_sec1.pdf [Online]. Date Accessed:October 27, 2005