Parks Trees 8-10-11 E HuffMeridian Urban Forest Management Elroy Huff, City Arborist
Meridian Parks & Recreation Commission
August 10, 2011
1
Executive Summary
The primary mission of a well developed forestry program is to provide the residents of the community a healthy, safe, and pleasant environment
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Develop a Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy
The park system currently has only a few trees that could be serious hazards because we have such a young park forest
3
Conduct Tree Inventory
Some of this work has been completed, and more to come this fall
Inventory will set the stage for the management plan
It will essentially tell us the items we need to know
4
Develop a Pruning Cycle
Establish a plan of how many trees will be pruned each year
This will probably be a five- to seven-year rotation
5
Develop Spray Programs
Use the tree inventory to determine the pests and diseases that need attention in our system
Use integrated pest management strategies in developing spray or treatment
6
Develop a Tree Planting Program
How many trees to plant each year and where?
The tree inventory will establish future planting sites
Diversification of tree species
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Trees Planted to Date in 2011
Lakeview Golf Course - 104
Park System - 16
Downtown - 6
Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park - 242
To be planted at Kleiner in September, additional 60 trees
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Increase Education Awareness and Public Outreach
Expand and strengthen partnerships
Continue Arbor Day Celebrations
Focus on education to promote tree planting and proper care of trees
Develop programs to enlist volunteers
Volunteer
tree plantings and Eagle Scout tree planting projects
10
Maintain Tree City USA Status
Have an Urban Forestry Advisory Commission, which is the Parks & Recreation Commission
Tree ordinance in place
Hold Arbor Day Celebration
Spend two dollars per capita on urban forestry
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Ensure Cooperation of All City Departments
Work with departments on planning and development
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Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Develop procedures in the management plan to be used by all employees in the park system
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Develop a Management Plan for Downtown Trees
Develop a planting and removal cycle to ensure integrity of the streetscape
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So where do we go from here?
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