david v. bloniarz northern research station, usda forest service tree inventories: keeping it simple...

David V. BloniarzDavid V. Bloniarz

Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Northern Research Station, USDA Forest

Service Service

Tree Inventories: Tree Inventories: Keeping it Simple & Keeping it Simple &

AffordableAffordable

A Basic Primer – A Basic Primer –

Tools, Tools,

Techniques & Techniques &

ApplicationApplication

Key Topics for this Key Topics for this PresentationPresentation

Intro to InventoriesIntro to Inventories

The Planning CycleThe Planning Cycle

Inventory TypesInventory Types

Inventory ResourcesInventory Resources

i-Tree i-Tree

Storm Damage Storm Damage

AssessmentAssessment

Risk Tree AssessmentRisk Tree Assessment

Inventory OverviewInventory Overview

What is a tree inventory?What is a tree inventory? Why is a tree inventory important?Why is a tree inventory important? How is a tree inventory conducted?How is a tree inventory conducted? What can we learn from a tree inventory?What can we learn from a tree inventory? What are the opportunities for tree What are the opportunities for tree

inventory?inventory?• CommercialCommercial• MunicipalMunicipal• Private ResidentialPrivate Residential• Recreation - Golf Course, Ski, Sports FacilitiesRecreation - Golf Course, Ski, Sports Facilities• Other Open SpaceOther Open Space

Why is a tree inventory important?Why is a tree inventory important?

First step in effective landscape tree First step in effective landscape tree managementmanagement

Creates the baseline for setting Creates the baseline for setting management objectivesmanagement objectives

Resource for creating plan to meet Resource for creating plan to meet management objectivesmanagement objectives

Provides information to educate and Provides information to educate and persuade customers and constituentspersuade customers and constituents

Provides data to justify maintenance Provides data to justify maintenance recommendations and contract estimatesrecommendations and contract estimates

Database Development – 1930’sDatabase Development – 1930’s

Database Development – 2010Database Development – 2010

Specific Database Development Specific Database Development – –

Hazard/Risk InventoryHazard/Risk Inventory

Mapping Tools – early 20Mapping Tools – early 20thth Century Century

Mapping Development - 2010Mapping Development - 2010

Integrated Data ManagementIntegrated Data Management

Web-Based/Cloud ComputingWeb-Based/Cloud Computing

Interactive Web-Based Social Data Interactive Web-Based Social Data MiningMining

Management, Planning & Management, Planning & Inventory PlanningInventory Planning

Managing the GreenManaging the Green

Methods are variableMethods are variable Individual opportunitiesIndividual opportunities Common conceptsCommon concepts Shifting prioritiesShifting priorities Planning GuidelinesPlanning Guidelines

ManagedManagedLandscapesLandscapes

Street TreesStreet Trees Commercial PropertiesCommercial Properties Individual Residential PropertyIndividual Residential Property Recreation Areas – Golf, ski, sports Recreation Areas – Golf, ski, sports

facilitiesfacilities ublic Facilitiesublic Facilities SchoolsSchools Conservation LandConservation Land Other Open SpaceOther Open Space

ManagedManagedLandscapesLandscapes

Managed Managed LandscapesLandscapes

Planning StepsPlanning Steps

Step 1: VisionStep 1: Vision Step 2: AssessmentStep 2: Assessment Step 3: Strategic Step 3: Strategic

PlanningPlanning Step 4: Annual Work Step 4: Annual Work

PlanPlan Step 5: Evaluation Step 5: Evaluation Results in a Successful Results in a Successful

and Sustainable and Sustainable ProgramProgram

The Planning ProcessThe Planning Process


Step 1: VisionStep 1: Vision• Where You Want to GoWhere You Want to Go• Includes Strategic GoalIncludes Strategic Goal• May be a Mission May be a Mission

StatementStatement

Step 1: VisionStep 1: Vision

Step 2: AssessmentStep 2: Assessment

Step 3: Strategic Step 3: Strategic PlanningPlanning

Step 4: Annual Work PlanStep 4: Annual Work Plan

Step 5: Evaluation Step 5: Evaluation


Step 2: AssessmentStep 2: Assessment• What We Have - The What We Have - The

InventoryInventory• Sample or Complete TypeSample or Complete Type• Identifies and Quantifies Identifies and Quantifies

the Resourcethe Resource







Step 3: Strategic Step 3: Strategic PlanningPlanning• How to Close the GapHow to Close the Gap• Steps to TakeSteps to Take• Prioritization of EffortsPrioritization of Efforts• Budgeting - Time & Budgeting - Time &

ResourcesResources







Step 4: Annual Work Step 4: Annual Work PlanPlan• Getting the Job DoneGetting the Job Done• Tasks & ActivitiesTasks & Activities• Includes Partnerships, Includes Partnerships,

Education, Management Education, Management and Plantingand Planting

• Budgeting - Staff and Budgeting - Staff and ResourcesResources







Step 5: EvaluationStep 5: Evaluation• Did it get Done?Did it get Done?• How Did You Do?How Did You Do?• Justification for Increases - Justification for Increases -

Funding, Staffing & SupportFunding, Staffing & Support• Important Step, but Often Important Step, but Often

Not CompletedNot Completed





Step 5: EvaluationStep 5: Evaluation

Key Component - An Key Component - An InventoryInventory

Step 1: VisionStep 1: Vision Step 2: AssessmentStep 2: Assessment Step 3: Strategic Step 3: Strategic

PlanningPlanning Step 4: Annual Work Step 4: Annual Work

PlanPlan Step 5: Evaluation Step 5: Evaluation Providing a BaselineProviding a Baseline

Inventory PlanningInventory Planning

Determine the purpose of the tree Determine the purpose of the tree inventoryinventory

Determine the data needed to meet Determine the data needed to meet that purposethat purpose

Determine the resources needed to Determine the resources needed to collect the datacollect the data

Types of InventoriesTypes of Inventories

Specific Problem InventorySpecific Problem Inventory

Related to only one Related to only one

problemproblem

Limited to one problem Limited to one problem

rather than broad rather than broad

managementmanagement

Asian Longhorned Asian Longhorned

BeetleBeetle

Dutch Elm DiseaseDutch Elm Disease

Park and Natural AreasPark and Natural Areas

Manicured Parks - Trees Manicured Parks - Trees

are individually are individually

inventoriedinventoried

Natural Areas - Natural Areas -

Sampling, typing or Sampling, typing or

groupinggrouping

Utilization of GIS, GPS Utilization of GIS, GPS

and remote sensingand remote sensing

Recreation AreasRecreation Areas

Golf Courses - Trees are Golf Courses - Trees are

individually inventoriedindividually inventoried

Ski Areas - Trees are Ski Areas - Trees are


Hiking Trails, Hiking Trails,

Campgrounds, Picnic Campgrounds, Picnic

AreasAreas

Utilization of GIS, GPS Utilization of GIS, GPS

and remote sensingand remote sensing

Landscaped PropertiesLandscaped Properties

Small Residential - Trees are Small Residential - Trees are


Estate - Sampling, typing or Estate - Sampling, typing or

groupinggrouping

Corporate/Commercial Corporate/Commercial

Facilities - Utilization of GIS, Facilities - Utilization of GIS,

GPS and remote sensingGPS and remote sensing

Cover Type SurveyCover Type Survey

Utilizes aerial photosUtilizes aerial photos

Quantifies canopy extendQuantifies canopy extend

Monitoring of trends, Monitoring of trends,

patterns and changespatterns and changes

Useful for planning new Useful for planning new

construction - protection construction - protection

zones; energy savings zones; energy savings

potentialpotential

Sampling MethodSampling Method

Inexpensive and quickInexpensive and quick

Requires random sampleRequires random sample

Assists in developing Assists in developing

whole and accurate whole and accurate

profiles of the populationprofiles of the population

May require stratification May require stratification

or grouping of land-use or grouping of land-use

typestypes

Windshield SurveyWindshield Survey

Gathers more info than Gathers more info than

the Specific Problem the Specific Problem

InventoryInventory

Relatively inexpensive Relatively inexpensive

and quick to completeand quick to complete

Can be ongoingCan be ongoing

Less precise than Less precise than

individual inspectionindividual inspection

Ideal for inspection Ideal for inspection

following storm eventsfollowing storm events

Complete Inventory - Complete Inventory - PeriodicPeriodic

All trees are All trees are

inventoriedinventoried

Location is recorded by Location is recorded by

address, GPS or GISaddress, GPS or GIS

Detailed accounting of Detailed accounting of

all treesall trees

Time consuming and Time consuming and

more costlymore costly

Most AccurateMost Accurate

Complete Inventory - Complete Inventory - ContinuousContinuous

All trees are inventoriedAll trees are inventoried

Computer based, often Computer based, often

linked to GIS andlinked to GIS and

Continuously maintained Continuously maintained

by updatingby updating

Filed work orders related Filed work orders related

to inventory databaseto inventory database

Most expensive, but most Most expensive, but most

effective management tooleffective management tool

Tree City USA Tree City USA Bulletin #23Bulletin #23

National Arbor Day National Arbor Day

Foundation publicationFoundation publication

Valuable summary and Valuable summary and

recap of key concepts recap of key concepts

Street Tree InventoriesStreet Tree Inventories

Key Uses of Inventory Key Uses of Inventory DataData

PlanningPlanning• Operational PlanningOperational Planning• Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning

Hazard Identification Hazard Identification Prioritizing Tasks Prioritizing Tasks Budgeting Budgeting ValuationValuation Monitoring Monitoring EducationEducation

Summarize the DataSummarize the Data

Species DistributionSpecies Distribution Age Class Distribution (Size)Age Class Distribution (Size) Overall ConditionOverall Condition Management NeedsManagement Needs Structural Conditions - Weak forks, Structural Conditions - Weak forks,

cavitiescavities Planting LocationPlanting Location UtilitiesUtilities Additional Information Additional Information

0

50

100

150

200

250

1

Series1

Series2

Series3

Condition

33%

50%

16%

1%

0%

1

23

45

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

AM AP AR AS BP CC FA GT HS MA PA PG PM PO PR PS QA QP QR QV TC TL TS UA

SPECIES

Series1

Species DistributionSpecies Distribution

ConditionCondition

Pruning TypePruning Type

Summarize the FindingsSummarize the Findings

Use Maps & PhotosUse Maps & Photos

GIS MapGIS Map

Air Photo w/ Air Photo w/ canopycanopy

Determining PrioritiesDetermining Priorities

Hazard removalsHazard removals PruningPruning Systematic maintenanceSystematic maintenance PlantingPlanting Community partnershipsCommunity partnerships Utility partnershipsUtility partnerships

Hazard IdentificationHazard Identification

Prioritized analysis Prioritized analysis Scale of community-wide impactsScale of community-wide impacts Cost of programmed responseCost of programmed response Geographic locationGeographic location Realistic cost estimateRealistic cost estimate

EducationEducation

Public Public stakeholdersstakeholders

Policy makersPolicy makers Community Community

residentsresidents Municipal Municipal

managersmanagers Neighborhood Neighborhood

focusfocus

Oh, No… not this again!Oh, No… not this again!

Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning

Long term strategies for Long term strategies for your urban forestyour urban forest

Includes tree inventory Includes tree inventory info as one component info as one component of broad visionof broad vision

Multi-disciplinary Multi-disciplinary approach to actionapproach to action

New planting strategyNew planting strategy Where do you want to Where do you want to

be in 3, 5, 10 years?be in 3, 5, 10 years?

Operational PlanningOperational Planning

Day-to-day operationsDay-to-day operations Work requests, Work requests,

scheduling and stagingscheduling and staging Time managementTime management Personnel, Equipment Personnel, Equipment

and coordinationand coordination Contract specificationsContract specifications Programmed plantingProgrammed planting

BudgetingBudgeting

Projected estimate of yearly Projected estimate of yearly operational expensesoperational expenses

Estimate of specific programming Estimate of specific programming needs needs

Long-term funding strategies can be Long-term funding strategies can be more clearly definedmore clearly defined

Projected Budget EstimatesProjected Budget Estimates

Crown Cleaning - 500 trees @ $100 each Crown Cleaning - 500 trees @ $100 each $50,000$50,000

Crown Lifting - 300 trees @ $55 eachCrown Lifting - 300 trees @ $55 each $16,500$16,500

Crown Reduction - 120 trees @ $95 eachCrown Reduction - 120 trees @ $95 each $11,400$11,400

Removal - 20 trees @ $400 eachRemoval - 20 trees @ $400 each $8,000$8,000

Stumps - 45 stumps @ $175 eachStumps - 45 stumps @ $175 each $7,875$7,875

Vacant planting sites 125 @ $350 each Vacant planting sites 125 @ $350 each $43,750$43,750

TOTALTOTAL $137,525$137,525

Based on Inventory Based on Inventory DataData

ValuationValuation

Psychological and Aesthetic Psychological and Aesthetic ValuesValues

Social ValuesSocial Values Historic ValuesHistoric Values Environmental ValuesEnvironmental Values Monetary ValuesMonetary Values Economics and Decision MakingEconomics and Decision Making

Fiscal ValuationFiscal Valuation

SizeSize SpeciesSpecies ConditionCondition LocationLocation

Environmental ValuesEnvironmental Values

Cite Environmental Cite Environmental BenefitsBenefits

250 lower hard surface temperature under 250 lower hard surface temperature under tree shade versus full sun.tree shade versus full sun.

$242 savings per home per year in cooling $242 savings per home per year in cooling costs.costs.

One acre of trees transpires 1600 gal. of One acre of trees transpires 1600 gal. of water and provides enough oxygen for 18 water and provides enough oxygen for 18 people on a sunny summer day.people on a sunny summer day.

A half-acre urban park can remove daily 48 A half-acre urban park can remove daily 48 lbs. of particulates, 9 lbs. of nitrogen dioxide, lbs. of particulates, 9 lbs. of nitrogen dioxide, 6 lbs. of sulfur dioxide, and 1/2 lbs. of carbon 6 lbs. of sulfur dioxide, and 1/2 lbs. of carbon monoxide.monoxide.

A community forest can store 2.6 tons of A community forest can store 2.6 tons of carbon per acre per yearcarbon per acre per year

Historic Assessment, Historic Assessment, Value & DocumentationValue & Documentation

Sense of PlaceSense of Place Heritage TreesHeritage Trees Significant/Vintage Significant/Vintage

TreesTrees

MonitoringMonitoring

Changes over time Changes over time to the urban forestto the urban forest

Overall forest Overall forest healthhealth

Insect damageInsect damage Disease outbreaksDisease outbreaks Effectiveness of Effectiveness of

your programsyour programs

Planting New TreesPlanting New Trees

Strategic directionStrategic direction Operational aspectsOperational aspects Programmed planting Programmed planting

strategystrategy

Inventory ResourcesInventory Resources Tree Assessment ToolsTree Assessment Tools

Inventory ResourcesInventory Resources GIS IntegrationGIS Integration

Maximum Maximum BenefitsBenefits

Shared DataShared Data Pre-Inventory Pre-Inventory

Planning is most Planning is most cost effective cost effective

Post-Inventory Post-Inventory Strategies are Strategies are expensiveexpensive

Inventory ResourcesInventory ResourcesGPS IntegrationGPS Integration

Data Collection Strategies Data Collection Strategies Maximize field operationsMaximize field operations Cost vs. accuracyCost vs. accuracy

Inventory ResourcesInventory ResourcesGPS UnitGPS Unit

Inventory ResourcesInventory ResourcesPaper or ElectronicPaper or Electronic

Software – General UseSoftware – General Use

Software – Tree Inventory Software – Tree Inventory SpecificSpecific

Software – GIS BasedSoftware – GIS Based

What What data to data to collect?collect?

Strategic

Tactical

StructureStructure

FunctionFunction

ValueValue

Management Management NeedsNeeds

David V. BloniarzDavid V. Bloniarz

USDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service

[email protected]@fs.fed.us

www.unri.orgwww.unri.org

PowerPoint Replay or DownloadPowerPoint Replay or Download

http://www.unri.org/research-documents/http://www.unri.org/research-documents/

david v. bloniarz northern research station, usda forest service tree inventories: keeping it simple...

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strategic planningstep

annual work planstep

evaluation planning

tree inventory important

annual work plangetting

strategic planninghow

strategic goalmay

evaluation results