Wednesday, September 12, 2007

A Discussion on "Tree City USA" Requirements

Tree City requirements are:
1. A tree Board or Dept.
2. A Tree Care Ordinance
3. A Community Forestry Program With an Annual Budget of at Least $2/Capita
4. An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation

For more information, please visit:
http://www.arborday.org/programs/TreeCityStandards.cfm#1


Thank you Steve for passing this along.

I talked to Naomi Sachs just now -- it is nice to have a pro around. I can't be physically present this evening, but did direct her to the criteria for the Tree City USA designation at their website. As far as I can tell, Beacon does not meet the requirements. Any/all of you please feel free to contact me regarding developments that would require support.

Thank you ,
Rhonda Nolan


Quick note - thanks for your offer to help Rhonda. You are incorrect about our not meeting the requirements for Tree City. In last night's City council packets we put the certification notes for the past six years, all of which include tree removal, tree planting, tree management, as well as the required resolution, etc We can show that to anyone interested, of course.

Clara Lou Gould


Hi Clara Lou

Especially with your lifelong involvement in the Garden Clubs of the State of New York, I know you are a serious plantswoman. And, I am of course aware of the Tree City signage and certification that Beacon has had since I have been a resident.

However, I am confused. Can you please tell me what area of the city government deals with these standards set out by Tree City USA? These standards are available to all via their website. I just cut and pasted the four requirements.

Thanks so much.

Rhonda


Lee,

As i told Rhonda, the Tree City Requirements were included in the Council's Monday night's packet, in the copies of the Tree City Applications for Certification for years 2001 through 2006. ( Applications are usually prepared in December, so 2007 has not been done yet.) With the application was the worksheet prepared by the Administrator's office, indicating number of trees planted, number pruned, and number removed, with the expenses involved. For example, in 2006 there were 18 trees planted, 102 pruned and 10 removed. Total Community Forestry expenditures were $39,480, and the population was listed at 14,810. A note on the form says that to qualify for Tree City USA total expenditures must be at least twice population

This information is available here as well.

Clara Lou Gould

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

While Tree City is a good way for cities to begin paying attention to trees, it does not guarantee a favourable urban forest all on its own. Tree City enables communities to start paying attention to trees. It is primarily a tool to get people intested and working on planting trees and allocating funds to forestry. Over time, though, cities need to invest in professional resources to establish goals, inventories of existing trees, procure of sound contracts and set long-term maintenance and tree planting plans. These plans and professional resources help cities allocate funds, apply for grants and deal with their trees proactively. Tree City just gets you started. I think Beacon does not necessarily need a city forester, but it does need something more than Tree City.