Short Hort Notes

 

 

 

*Wyoming Tree City USA Survey: The Wyoming State Forestry Division conducted a survey last fall of communities designated as "Tree City USA." The survey was designed to determine specific needs of communities, accomplishments, general facts, and other information regarding urban forestry. Among the findings:

--the average size of a community tree board in Wyoming is 6.8 people (okay,  make it 7...)

--common activities for tree boards include Arbor Day, Memorial Day plantings, poster contests, and workshops

--accomplishments include ball field plantings, high profile plantings, tree farm plantings, updated tree inventories, and management plans

--hindrances for communities included drought issues, wildlife problems, lack of funds, lack of leadership, and lack of local arborist services

--communities are most involved in plantings in new projects and replacement of city, park, and other trees

--communities are not heavily involved with regular public education, street trees, construction issues, or private resident tree problems

--about 80% of communities have completed tree inventories and 50% have been conducted within the last three years

--47% of Tree City USA communities have a certified arborist or access to one

--anticipated future issues include budget constraints, community participation, and local politics

--the most important issues found by the survey are insect and disease problems and lack of species diversity

--other important issues include vandalism, protection and preservation of existing trees, hazardous trees, and lack of age diversity

--negative aspects of urban forests include costs of maintaining trees, tree/sidewalk conflicts, and hazardous trees

--positive benefits of urban forests include enhancing recreation areas, community pride, attractiveness, and image.