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TREE Fund Webinar Q&A:
Policy Strategies to Value and Maintain Mature Trees on Private Land
JD Brown
During a TREE Fund Webinar on October 14, JD Brown and Tim Beatley presented research funded the Bob Skiera Memorial Building Bridges Initiative and John P. White Grant Program to over 1,300 viewers from around the world. There were many questions in the chat and not enough time to answer them all. We took those extra questions and sent them to JD so he could follow up with answers. Some of those answers are below. To view the full list of questions and answers, click here. The full webinar can be viewed by visiting our Webinar Archives page or clicking here.
Q: In calculating value of trees, do you also include the cost of tending that tree until it reaches maturity? Is that investment in the tree part of the actual cost when you think of removing a mature tree that is not in need of replacement from hazard reduction?
A: Yes. A full accounting of the cost/benefit of mature trees should include a consideration of ongoing maintenance.
Q: Is there any value recognized for removing a non-native or invasive mature tree and replacing it with a regional native tree that supports regional wildlife and is appropriate for our current climate?
A: Agreed that control of invasives is critical and that there should be a preference for planting native trees.
Q: Reviewing the valuation example from Mebourne, what I read is the parts of the total value, the overall total appraised value, include costs and benefits combined, and overall the value parts (components) are similar to within the Guide for Plant Appraisal, currently in 10th Edition, published by ISA. Has Biophilic Cities had tree appraisals calculated using the Trunk Formula Technique from this Guide for Plant Appraisal?
A: Yes. The ISA appraisal process does appear to include those elements as well. I would defer to a licensed arborist to get their thoughts.
Q: Any unusual or unique reasons that caused a mature tree to be valued and saved in the urban environment, either in Canada, USA or elsewhere?
A: Mature trees in the urban context provide exponential ecosystem benefits (versus newly planted trees) and also provide unique value in terms of cultural, historical, and aesthetic benefits.
Q: One tree protection or preservation method that can provide economic, social, and environmental benefits to a property owner, and everyone, for keeping mature size, specimen or heritage, trees and understory, is enacting a Conservation Easement for that land area to preserve the tree(s) and understory that is similar to the wetlands and woodlands easements, but for urban land area. Has this been used or researched for use by Biophilic Cities or any of the participating cities and organizations?
A: Yes. We include that as part of what we termed "private mechanisms" for mature tree preservation.
Q: Capturing stormwater on-site is listed as compatible with tree preservation, but in Seattle stormwater infrastructure is mostly concrete and competes for space with trees. Do you have any suggestions or models of stormwater Code that uses mature trees as stormwater infrastructure?
A: A variety of jurisdictions, including Seattle, have "green factor" policies. Recognizing and providing credit for trees as stormwater capture infrastructure. This is one way to position mature trees as critical infrastructure (that also provides other co-benefits).
Q: How long does a tree protection bond stick around? Death can occur long time after construction impacts.
A: Depends on the jurisdiction, but 2 years is one approach. There is no bonding provision that I am aware of that would require bonding for the life of a tree.
Q: Is that tree matrix tool from WSSI?
A: The Tree Matrix tool that we highlighted in the presentation was created locally by Keith Pitchford and can be found at https://www.treematrix.com/
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