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Urban Forest

Research Summer 2003


Center for Urban Forest Research • Pacific Southwest Research Station • USDA Forest Service

Invest in Investment Potential


A New Way to Manage Your
Show city leadership that
tenance practices that jeopardize
the quality of life residents are
Urban Forest
seeking from their urban forests.
large-stature trees can be a
“Investment potential” is usually a So, how do you turn this “lemon”
term we use when talking with into lemonade? The key is return on wise investment.
bankers or investment counselors. investment, or investment potential.
Imagine “investment potential” Don’t settle for managing your
turning out to be your most import- community forest by just cutting Modesto, CA (McPherson 2003).
ant ally when fighting the annual costs. Persuade leadership to think Each of the work records
budget battle. Our latest research spending dollars for trees is the right described the type of activity per-
gives some insight into how it could thing to do. formed, time spent to the closest 0.1
help you. hour, date the work was performed,
Which Species have the Highest tree species, planting date, and
Costs are a Painful Reality, or location. After an initial analysis,
Benefit/Cost Ratios?
are they? each of the 240 activity codes was
We conducted research in four
In recent years, many communities put into one of six activity areas:
western cities and found that in each
have faced budget problems. In an pruning, removal, plant/water/re-
city there were some species that
effort to control budgets, city offi- stake, root-related work, liability/
had a significantly higher benefit-to-
cials have leaned heavily on tree storm cleanup, integrated pest
cost ratio than other species. This
budgets. This has forced many tree management (IPM)/other.
suggests to us that the more species
managers to focus on cutting costs. with high benefit/cost ratios (BCRs)
The result is a proliferation of small- What We Found
a city has, the greater their return
stature trees and inadequate main- on investment of city budget dollars. We found that pruning was the single
This doesn’t mean that you need to greatest cost-category for every
rush out and get rid of all of the species, accounting for more than
species with a low BCR, but this 73% of total per tree costs for every
information can be used to persuade species except ginkgo (49%). Species
leadership to maintain your tree with the highest percentages of total
budget by “investing” more wisely in costs spent for pruning were
your community’s trees. Modesto ash, sweetgum, pistache,
hackberry and pear.
Check out our Seeking the Answer Benefits
To determine investment potential The population of London plane,
website at of individual species, we analyzed
34,000 tree work records for a three-
Modesto ash, and hackberry had
many old large trees, with annual
http://cufr.ucdavis.edu/ year period (1996-1998) for ten of benefits ranging from $175 to $186
the most abundant species in (continued next page)
2

per tree. Benefits for species with


more young, medium-sized trees
ranged from $83 (camphor) to $124
Downsizing is NOT the Answer
(zelkova). Annual benefits were Cities that are using the downsizing approach to reduce costs may
lowest for the small pear trees ($55). achieve some short- term savings, but over the long term, they have
Costs destined themselves to a future with fewer and fewer benefits as the
Annual costs per tree ranged large trees are replaced with small trees. Shade will be far less, parking
from $7.7 for London plane to $54.3 lots and schoolyards will be hotter, air quality will diminish, and storm
for sweetgum. Other high-cost
water runoff will increase – driving up costs in other city budgets. And a
species were Modesto ash ($48.8)
and hackberry ($32.7). Low cost lot of the other benefits that large trees produce will also be lost.
species were camphor ($11.4) and We recognize that, on some restricted sites, a small stature tree may be
ginkgo ($13.3). the best choice.
As expected, species with large
numbers of big trees cost the most to
manage. London plane tree was the
exception. Although 60% of all maximum benefits with minimum next closest species: ginkgo and
London plane were greater than 24 costs. camphor (7:1). Species with the
inches dbh, per tree management Ginkgo and camphor were the lowest benefit-cost ratio are
expenditures were remarkably low next best performers. They may be sweetgum and pear (2:1), and
($7.7). slow to establish and prone to early pistache and Modesto ash (3:1). This
losses, but they are worth the wait. analysis quickly reveals where you
Net Benefits
Once trained and established, they want to continue spending city
Annual net benefits (benefits
required very little care. Their dollars.
minus costs) were greatest for
benefits did not rival those produced
London plane ($178), hackberry Potential for Controlling Costs
by the larger London plane and
($148), and Modesto ash ($126) and
hackberry, but were nonetheless By incorporating benefits as well as
least for pear ($33), pistache ($65),
substantial. costs into your analysis, relative
camphor ($71), and Southern
We did not find this for zelkova, return on investment (investment
magnolia ($73).
hackberry, and Modesto ash, potential) can be calculated by
The Modesto municipal arborist
however. They are large shade trees species. One way to reduce costs
confirmed that London plane rarely
that grow relatively rapidly and and increase urban forest sustain-
require pruning, have high
produce sizable annual benefits, but ability is to increase the proportion
establishment rates, rarely heave
management costs are somewhat of tree species with relatively high
sidewalks, and are not prone to
high because many trees are at the benefit-cost ratios and reduce those
storm damage. Unfortunately, this
end of their functional lifecycle. that are low.
species accounts for only 2.7% of the
street tree population. Information on cost components
Modesto ash and Chinese hack- What this Means can help target management
berry are rarely planted anymore By converting the benefits and costs activities with cost-cutting potential.
due largely to high costs required to to a ratio for each species, a tree’s
maintain older trees and high loss true worth to a community is
Urban Forest Research
rates for hackberry due to root rot quickly revealed. For example, in is a publication of the Center
disease. Of the ten species we eval- Modesto, the benefit-cost ratio for for Urban Forest Research,
uated, London plane was clearly the the London plane is 24:1, or more Pacific Southwest Research
outstanding performer. It combines Station, USDA Forest Service. For more
than three times greater than the
information, contact the Center at the
Department of Environmental
Horticulture, University of California, 1
Shields Ave, Suite 1103, Davis, CA 95616-
According to the 2000 California State of the Urban 8587. (530) 752-7636
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
Forest Report, California cities spend an average of employer, and prohibits discrimination in all
programs and activities.
Editor: Jim Geiger
$19 per tree annually. Production: Laurie Litman, InfoWright

Urban Forest Research Summer 2003


3

For example, relatively high rates of


establishment-related mortality for Benefit-Cost of Tree Species Are Your Tree
ginkgo and camphor indicate need
for further study of causes and
Species Benefit-Cost Ratio
Roots Tripping
possible solutions, such as planting London plane 24.3
of larger or smaller size stock, more
frequent watering, and different
Gingko
Zelkova
7.4
5.9
You Up?
staking/protection. Hackberry 5.5
Another technique would be to Modesto ash 3.6
combine information on tree num- Chinese pistache 3.3
bers and benefit-cost ratios by size Pear 2.6
class, and estimate how net benefits Sweetgum 2.4
will change as trees move into larger
size classes. This information may
influence budgeting for tree removal Obtaining Benefit-Cost
and replacement, pruning, planting, Information
and sidewalk repair.
Two key elements are necessary
Invest in Investment Potential when determining investment
potential by species—tree benefits
By documenting future benefits and
and cost of maintenance.
costs associated with maturing street
To calculate costs you will need a
tree populations municipal foresters Reducing Infrastructure Damage
work record history for each tree. If
have a new way to justify investment by Tree Roots: A Compendium of
your community doesn’t have one
in tree health and longevity. Data Strategies is available to help you
you may be able to create one from
can be used to indicate how failure with your tree root problems. The
the records you do have, or start
to invest in management will result Compendium offers solutions in
now to record tree work for each
in reduced net benefits, as costs three categories—tree, infrastruc-
species.
increase relative to benefits. Alterna- ture, and root zone.
To calculate benefits, your tree
tively, the consequences of targeting The Compendium identifies and
inventory data is required along with
management actions to increase describes key strategies used to
our newest software program—
benefit-cost ratios can be easily prevent or mitigate damage to
STRATUM (Street Tree Resource
described and readily understood by sidewalks, curbs, and gutters by tree
Analysis Tool for Urban Forest
decision-makers and the public. roots. Strategies include the use of
Managers). The software program
Setting appropriate tree canopy root barriers, structural soil, species
will use both your tree inventory
cover targets provides measurable selection, alternative design, soil
data and work records to calculate
goals for urban forest planning and management techniques, and many
the benefits and costs by species,
management. However, the type of others. Each strategy is described in
along with other key management
tree cover is just as important as the terms of objective(s), methods,
information. See the update of our
amount of tree cover. Accounting for materials, and limitations.
release of STRATUM on page 4. Also
the benefits and costs of different Dr. Larry Costello and Katherine
visit our website for a more detailed
tree species over the long-term Jones have compiled information
discussion of STRATUM.
should be one aspect of good stand that will serve as a quick and com-
management. —Jim Geiger plete reference for all professionals
interested in reducing infrastructure
damage. Literature citations are
Sign up included and field photos are used to
illustrate techniques whenever
NOTE: This newsletter is only available in electronic format
possible.
To sign up for Urban Forest Research, please visit our website at You can obtain a copy from the
http://cufr.ucdavis.edu/newsletter.asp
Western Chapter ISA at 530-892-
Send comments or suggestions to Jim Geiger, Center for Urban Forest 1118 or through their website at
Research, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, c/o
Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of California, 1 Shields www.wcisa.net. Cost is $15 per
Avenue, Suite 1103, Davis, CA 95616-8587 or contact jgeiger@fs.fed.us. compendium plus $8 for shipping
and handling in the U.S.

Summer 2003 Urban Forest Research


4

Where do you get


STRATUM Software?
Pilot Testing Beginning
Beginning this fall (2003) we will
“pilot test” STRATUM (Street Tree
Resource Analysis Tool for Urban
Forest Managers) in California via
contracts with cooperating tree
inventory companies. The com-
panies will offer a customized
STRATUM analysis. Cities can
contract for a sample inventory or
complete street tree inventory.
Either inventory will include an
analysis of tree benefits by species.

Customized Results
Results will be customized for each
community to account for local
growing conditions, tree manage-
ment practices, data such as air
quality, climate, and residential sales
prices, and local benefit prices for
electricity, natural gas, O3, and CO2.
This ability to provide customized
results was made possible by our
research in a reference city within a
climate region where we collected
data on leaf area, crown projection
area, tree height by species, air pol- the Northeastern Center for Urban or volunteers will be able to conduct
lution concentrations, etc. and Community Forestry in inventories and analyses themselves
To date we have completed four Amherst, MA and is being used by or contract with a private firm.
climate regions—Northern several hundred communities.
Applied independently, these Customized Benefit Data
California (Modesto, CA),
Subtropical (Santa Monica), Pacific tools are limited to what they do Our Center will provide customized
Northwest (Longview, WA), and best—MCTI’s street tree data collec- benefit data to cities as well as pri-
Northern Mountain and Prairie (Fort tion, processing, and reporting vate firms at a reasonable cost. How-
Collins, CO). This year we intend to functions; and STRATUM’s ability to ever, these data will only be available
complete the Southwest Desert generate information on the dollar in climate regions where we have
climate region (Glendale, AZ). value of annual benefits and program collected and analyzed tree growth
costs. But, together they can provide data, geographic factors, and benefit
Coming: New Software Package communities with an integrated prices for reference cities.
assessment of their public trees.
In 2005 we plan to provide an even Where We Still Need Reference
more complete software package for Anyone Can Use It
an urban forest inventory and Cities
assessment by integrating STRATUM This future product, STRATUM / We have benefit data for four climate
with MCTI (Mobile Community Tree MCTI, will be aimed at small to regions, are working on one more,
Inventory). MCTI is a street data medium sized communities, as well but need data for 12 more. See
collection, processing and reporting as cities and towns that use trained Climate Region Map above. Our goal
system that includes a PDA software volunteers to sample street trees. is to have benefit data for all 17
interface. MCTI was development at Once released in 2005, city staff climate regions in five years.

Urban Forest Research Summer 2003


5

New Tree Guide Available


Our Center recently published its and Cheyenne, and analyzed by residential properties.
newest Tree Guide—Northern computer models to determine the Results reveal a significant benefit
Mountain and Prairie Tree Guide: magnitude of benefits throughout for each of the typical species.
Benefits, Costs and Strategic the region: Estimated annual benefits for a
Planting. The guide was designed for • kWh and BTUs of energy saved street/park tree 40 years after
the Northern Mountain and Prairie through wind reduction or direct planting:
climate region and is the fifth in a shading. Large Tree: 54 ft tall, 40 ft spread,
series of Tree Guides for the Western • tons of CO2 sequestered. 5,960 ft2 leaf surface area
United States. View the guide at • tons of air pollutants removed by Total benefits – $59
http://cufr.ucdavis.edu/ dry deposition or through avoided Total costs – $18
products.html. Net benefits – $41
The climate region extends
from Alaska, Western Estimated annual benefits for a street/ Medium Tree: 43 ft tall, 36 ft
Washington and Oregon, and park tree 40 years after planting spread, 3,905 ft2 leaf surface
Northern California on the area
west, through Idaho and LARGE TREE Total benefits - $36
Montana, to the Dakotas and (54 ft tall, 40 ft spread, 5,960 ft2
leaf surface area) Total costs - $17
Nebraska on the east. The Total benefits – $59 Net benefits - $19
region extends south through Total costs – $18 Small Tree: 28 ft tall, 34 ft
Wyoming, Nevada, Utah and Net benefits – $41 spread, 2,350 ft2 leaf surface
Colorado, to the mountainous MEDIUM TREE area
areas in New Mexico, Arizona, 2
(43 ft tall, 36 ft spread, 3,905 ft leaf surface area) Total benefits - $27
and Northern California. Total benefits - $36 Total costs - $15
Total costs - $17 Net benefits - $12
What it Does
Net benefits - $19 Conifer: 44 ft tall, 27 ft spread,
The Guide identifies and 3,520 ft2 leaf surface area
describes the benefits and costs SMALL TREE
2
Total benefits – $44
of planting trees in the cold and (28 ft tall, 34 ft spread, 2,350 ft leaf surface area) Total costs – $18
snowy climate region. It also Total benefits - $27
Net benefits – $26
answers a number of questions Total costs - $15
about the environmental and Net benefits - $12 At year 40 the largest single
aesthetic benefits community benefit for all trees was
CONIFER stormwater interception with
trees provide: (44 ft tall, 27 ft spread, 3,520 ft2 leaf surface area)
• What is their potential to large trees and conifers
Total benefits – $44 intercepting over 2000 gallons
improve environmental Total costs – $18
quality, conserve energy, and of water per year. Property
Net benefits – $26 value increase was the next
add value to communities?
• Where should residential and largest benefit ranging from $8
public trees be placed to maximize emissions at power plants. to nearly $15 per year.
their cost-effectiveness? • gallons of water intercepted. Annual costs are based on a
• Which tree species will minimize • property value increase. survey of municipal and commercial
conflicts with powerlines, arborists for planting, pruning,
The value of each benefit was
sidewalks, and buildings? removal/disposal, pest and disease,
calculated at 5 year intervals for 40
infrastructure, irrigation, cleanup,
years using:
Results liability/legal, and administration.
• regional market value for
The next guide is planned for the
Research results are reported for electricity and gas.
Desert Southwest (Glendale, AZ).
green ash, Norway maple, crab apple • regional cost of control for air
Tree guides for the Inland Empire,
and Colorado spruce respectively, pollutants.
South Coast, San Joaquin Valley of
both street/park and yard trees. Data • treatment and control costs for
California, and Western Washington
from these typical species were stormwater.
and Oregon have been completed.
collected in Fort Collins, Bismarck, • effect of trees on sales price of

Summer 2003 Urban Forest Research


Fact Sheet #6: Species Investment Potential
How to Use “Species Investment References
Potential” to Your Advantage Maco, S.E., and E.G.
“Investment potential” may turn out to be your most important advocate McPherson. 2003. A practical
when fighting the annual community forest budget battle. approach to assessing
structure, function, and value
• Consider budget cuts a fact of life. But don’t let them drive your tree of street tree populations in
management decisions. Downsizing is not the answer. small communities. J. Arboric.
29(2): 84-97.
• Persuade city leaders and elected officials that making a wise investment
in large-stature trees is the right thing to do. For more information on the McPherson, E.G. 2003. A
art of persuasion see our Market Research at: http://cufr.ucdavis.edu. benefit-cost analysis of ten tree
• Conduct benefit-cost analysis of species in Modesto, California,
your community forest by species Why do some species have U.S. J. Arboric. 29(1):1–8.
to determine the distribution of a higher BCR than others?
benefit/cost ratios (BCRs) among McPherson, E.G., and J.R.
A number of things could be going Simpson. 2002. A comparison
the various species. See STRATUM
on our website. on here from pruning schedules to of municipal forest benefits and
poor locations. It will depend on costs in Modesto and Santa
• Calculate the return on Monica, California, USA. Urban
the analysis of your community
investment. For. Urban Green. 1:61-74.
forest to determine what the right
• Reduce costs and increase urban species are for your community.
forest sustainability by increasing Miller, R.W., and W.A. Sylvester.
the proportion of tree species with 1981. An economic evaluation
relatively high BCRs and reducing those that are low. of the pruning cycle. J. Arboric.
7:109-112.
• Demonstrate that targeting management activities with cost-cutting
potential can save dollars. O’Brien, P., and K. Joehlin.
• Estimate how net benefits will change as trees move into larger size classes 1992. Use of municipal tree
to influence budgeting for tree removal and replacement, pruning, maintenance standards. J.
planting, and sidewalk repair. Arboric. 18:273-277.

• Document how failure to invest in tree care and management will result in O’Brien, P., K. Joehlin, and D.
reduced net benefits, as costs increase relative to benefits. O’Brien. 1992. Performance
• Look at BCRs periodically because some trees are moving into higher size standards for municipal tree
classes every year. maintenance. J. Arboric.
18:307-315.

Downsizing is NOT the answer Zillmer, R.E., J.L. Boeder, and


K.G. Genich. 2000. A
Cities using the downsizing approach to reduce costs may achieve some
productivity timing system for
short-term savings, but over the long term they have destined themselves to a tree climbing training. J.
future with fewer and fewer benefits as the large trees are replaced with small Arboric. 26:97-105.
trees. Shade will be far less, parking lots and schoolyards will be hotter, air
quality will diminish, and storm water runoff will increase—driving up costs in
other city budgets. And a lot of the other benefits that large trees produce will
also be lost.

Find lots of information at our website http://cufr.ucdavis.edu


This fact sheet is provided for you to copy and distribute. Please credit the Center for Urban Forest Research, Pacific Southwest Research
Urban Forest Research
Station, USDA Forest Service, Davis, California. Summer 2003.
Summer 2003

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