Forestry 

Forestry is responsible for public tree care in Ann Arbor's" Urban Forest" represented by more than 50,000 street trees and trees located in City parks. Forestry, along with assistance from the Dean Fund, provides a full spectrum of specialized services. 

Update on Current Forestry Activities

Since the discovery of the emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in 2002, the City of Ann Arbor’s urban forest changed considerably. The most obvious impact to the city has been the loss of thousands of ash trees. At the height of the EAB infestation, the city had to focus on removing thousands of hazardous dead and dying ash trees along city streets and in parks. During this time, the maintenance and trimming of the other city-managed trees was largely put on hold.

Once the removal of publicly-managed ash trees was largely complete, the city was able to resume a wider range of management efforts on the remaining urban forest. However, as part of resuming tree trimming and planting activities, it became clear that the city did not have up-to-date information on the location, composition, health and maintenance needs of the remaining trees in a geographic, electronic format. To address this need, the city contracted with Davey Resource Group from February to May 2009 to inventory street trees and park trees in mowed areas. The resulting database provides the geo-coded location, species, diameter, height, condition, and maintenance needs of each street and park tree managed by the city. The Tree Inventory information has been added as a layer on the city’s geographic information system (GIS) and integrated with our asset management software Cityworks, which will enable us to manage the trees as we do the other City assets. 

Tree Inventory Results

The tree inventory provides data for 40,749 street trees and 6,610 park trees (in mowed areas) as well as identifying 8,853 potential new street tree planting sites along the right-of-way and 843 stump locations to be removed. The inventory also provides the City with a list of over 1,500 street trees determined to be Priority 1 and 2 removals.

Priority 1 Removal:  A tree that has defects that cannot be cost-effectively or practically treated, has a high amount of deadwood, and poses an immediate hazard to a property or person. 

Priority 2 Removal:  A tree that is not as great of a liability as Priority 1 Removal, being smaller and/or less hazardous, although it is also recommended for removal.

Process for Tree Removals

Equipped with this new information the City is now prioritizing a tree maintenance work plan to address these critical removals.  Forestry Field Operations is currently identifying, notifying adjacent property owners and removing all of the Priority 1 Removals. Once complete, the Priority 2 Removals will be addressed.

1. Forestry Field Operations staff visit each of the trees listed as a Priority 1 removal
2. Completely dead trees will be marked with a green painted dot on the street side
3. Residents on the block where a tree(s) will be removed are notified via mailed letter.
4. The tree(s) are removed following receipt of the letter by residents.  This may be as soon as 7 days after the letter has been received, or may be longer depending on forestry workload and priorities. 

During the city’s focus on dead trees and priority removals, the Forestry unit will conduct only limited routine tree trimming.  Trimming will be performed only in response to clearance issues (road signs, safety, etc.), emergency/hazards, storm damage or construction activities.  Please note that independent contractors not affiliated with city (e.g., contractors for DTE Energy) will continue to perform tree trimming activities.

Any questions or concerns regarding the removal of a tree—or if you believe that a city-managed tree is a hazard and requires immediate maintenance/inspection—please contact Forestry at 734-794-6364 or submit a service request through the Citizen Request System Web page.

Urban Forest Management Plan

With the comprehensive tree inventory data now available, the city will be developing a comprehensive urban forestry management plan to help maintain a diverse, healthy urban forestry canopy throughout the city.  Public involvement is a critical part of the development of the plan.  When complete, the new plan will guide the city in developing policies to manage the urban forest.  Please check back for updates on the development of the urban forestry management plan and ways that you can be part of the planning process. 

Virginia Park Neighborhood Meeting on City Forestry Practices

On June 29, 2009, a meeting was held to discuss City Forestry practices.  The meeting included a presentation by City staff describing the history of the forestry program, current tree trimming and removal practices, and the future direction of the program. Neighborhood residents had many questions and concerns about the current state of the program.

 

Meeting Presentation: City Presentation 062909

Meeting Comments and Questions: Virginia Park Mtg Q&A 

Elizabeth Dean Tree Fund

In 1964, Elizabeth Dean willed nearly two-million dollars to "be held in a separate fund by the City of Ann Arbor and the income thereof to be used to repair, maintain and replace trees on City property." Only the annual interest income generated by the Dean Trust is utilized, to provide perpetual tree service benefits to the Ann Arbor community. The Dean Fund Committee welcomes citizen requests for special tree planting projects. Visit the Elizabeth R. Dean Trust fund webpage to download a proposal form and copy of project guidelines.