HomeMy WebLinkAboutShade Tree Advisory Committee Report to Common Council Ithaca Shade Tree Advisory Committee(STAC)Report to Common Council, 10/4/06
Provided by Nina Bassuk,Chair
STAC advises the City Forester and other staff on policies and technical issues regarding trees
and shrubs on all public spaces in the city including street trees,park trees and shrubs, etc.
There are 8400 street trees and 3300 park trees in Ithaca for a total of 11,700 managed trees.
Inventories in 1987, 1997 and 2006 show an increase in street tree cover from 5541 in '87 to
7300 in'97 to 8400 currently-a 35%increase in 20 years.
We are nearing 90%stocking on streets.
There are 432 species codes represented in Ithaca,making it one of the most diverse urban forests
in the country.This diversity will help insure a healthy forest by thwarting a disease or insect pest
that attacks one particular type of tree.
We are grateful for the forestry technician position that was made permanent in 2006.
This person keeps the inventory current and inspects the trees in need of pruning or takedown. He
makes note of new planting sites and has recently inventoried Stewart and Cass Park to detect
management issues. Collection of insurance payment from people who have damaged trees by
cars are handled by this position as is the oversight on private property subject to the site plan
review process where trees have died and need to be replaced.This process still needs to be
defined.
Budget issues:
In 2006 the tree budget was$2000. In 2005 and 2004 it was$0.
Funding during these lean years came from the Rotary Club,insurance settlements,Lake Source
cooling,DEC grants and NYSEG,due to the Court Street work.
During these years approximately 700 trees were planted equaling a value of$140,000.
However,there are approximately 100-150 removals every year-when trees are unsafe or dead.
We have requested a tree budget of$5000 this year to offset tree losses and to continue to make
Ithaca a very livable environment for all who live,work and visit here. We cannot assume that the
generosity of the Rotary Club or the unusual circumstances of Lake Source Cooling and the Court
Street cleanup will continue.
We have adopted novel techniques of planting that stretch our tree planning dollars.
Student volunteers will plant ninety-seven trees on November 7th this fall.
In cooperation with Cooperative Extension,the Citizen Pruners continue to work on training the
young trees in Ithaca, freeing up city staff to work on the larger trees.
Currently we are revamping the City Tree Master Plan,adopted 10 years ago.
Within the next year we hope to quantify the ecological and social benefits that our urban forest
provides to Ithaca in the form of stromwater attenuation and detention,greenhouse gas reduction,
temperature cooling in summer and wind reduction in winter,increased recreational opportunities
• and increased property values.