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URBAN FORESTRY
Q. What is Urban and Community Forestry?
A. Urban forestry is defined as the art and science of managing of trees and
related natural resources in populated areas, from the inner city to the developing urban fringe
and within small communities. Community forestry is an approach to management that engages
residents in the planting and care of trees and related nature resources. For more
information visit TreeLink
Q. How can I get involved with Urban Forestry?
A. The most effective way to participate in Urban Forestry is through our
NeighborWoods
program. Urban Forestry partners with arboriculture specialists that volunteer as trainers,
to teach citizens about proper tree care techniques, tree identification, the benefits of trees
and other urban forestry topics. NeighborWoods Stewards work with Urban Forestry on volunteer projects, such as neighborhood tree plantings, to help enhance
and maintain the City's urban forest.
Q. What is the Urban Forestry Commission? Which Commissioner is the liaison to my
neighborhood?
A. The seven members of the
Urban Forestry Commission are citizens appointed by City Council. The Commission advises City Council on Urban Forestry
policy and administers various outreach and education programs. Each neighborhood association
is assigned an Urban Forestry Commission liaison; to find out who your liaison
is,
click here.
Q. What is the Evergreen Arboretum?
A.Dedicated in 1978 and located at the east end of Officer's Row, the Evergreen Arboretum was
conceived as a way to honor the special people in our lives. For a minimum contribution, the name of
your loved one will be etched in granite near the arboretum gazebo for future generations to observe.
The money raised through the Evergreen Arboretum is used for tree planting and landscaping throughout
the city. For more information, call Vancouver Parks & Recreation at 360-619-1111.
BENEFITS OF TREES
Q. How do trees increase neighborhood livability?
A. Trees improve quality of life by (among other things) improving air and water quality,
reducing stormwater runoff, reducing traffic speeds, providing shade, and providing wildlife
habit. Trees also dramatically increase property values and help foster a sense of community.
Q. What do trees have to do with water/air quality?
A. The average tree can absorb ten pounds of pollutants and 26 pounds of carbon
dioxide each year, while producing approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year (two trees provide
enough oxygen to sustain a human being). A mature tree will intercept an average of 760
gallons of rainfall a year, reducing flooding and pollution from runoff while fostering groundwater
recharge. Trees also stabilize soils, which reduces erosion.
VANCOUVER TREE REGULATIONS
Q. Who is responsible for maintenance/removal of street trees?
A. As in most of the Pacific Northwest, the adjacent property owner is responsible for
maintenance and removal of street trees in the City of Vancouver. Adjacent property owners are
required to apply for and secure a Tree Permit from the City before beginning any work.
Please contact Urban Forestry,
and we will schedule a site inspection.
Q. Do I need a permit?
A. There are two kinds of permits required for trees in the City of Vancouver: one for street
trees and one for private trees. Failure to obtain a permit before starting work will result in a
violation and monetary fines, so check for appropriate permits before removing any tree.
Q. Why can't I remove my tree?
A. Removal is one option in Urban Forestry management strategies; however, we want
to exhaust all other management strategies first before removing any mature tree. It only
takes a minute to improperly prune or remove a tree and a lifetime to grow one. This is why
it is imperative to protect and preserve mature trees from unnecessary removals. Removal will
not be granted if a tree does not meet the criteria for removal as defined in the
Tree Conservation Ordinance or the
Street Tree Ordinance of the Vancouver Municipal Code.
Q. Can I trim the branches off a neighbor's tree that overhang my property?
A. Always be a good neighbor and work with your neighbors if you have any issues with their
trees. You have the right to trim tree branches up to the property line as long as you do not harm
the health or the structure of your neighbors tree. You may not go onto the neighbor's property or
destroy the tree itself. Trees are considered property and a person who intentionally injures
someone else's tree is liable to the owner for property damage.
PROPER TREE CARE
Q. What is an ISA Certified Arborist? Why would I need to hire one?
A. Certified arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in
the art and science of tree care through at least three years of professional experience and
have passed a comprehensive examination administered by the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA). By choosing an ISA Certified Arborist
you have ensured that the persons performing the work in your landscape will adhere to the latest
professional standards.
Q. Can Urban Forestry recommend an Arborist?
A. Vancouver Urban Forestry cannot provide a list of tree companies/arborists.
We recommend you visit the Pacific Northwest ISA website or look under
Tree Service in the phone book and contact at least three ISA Arborists. Always hire an ISA
Certified Arborist and stay away from companies that advertise or recommend "topping".
Professional arborists do not recommend topping because it is not an effective long-term method
of reducing crown height, it is more expensive in the long run, creates hazards, and makes the
neighborhood look bad.
Click here to learn how to hire a professional tree care provider.
Q. Why is topping bad?
A. The practice of "topping" (the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or lateral
branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role) is not a proper pruning technique.
Topping stresses the tree by reducing leaf surface area, and thus the tree's ability to produce
food. The tree responds by vigorously re-sprouting with weakly attached branches. These branches
later become hazards and increase future maintenance costs. Ultimately, topping causes the tree
to decline or even die, creates the need for more pruning, and is very unsightly. Professional
arborists do not recommend topping because: it is not effective as a crown height reduction
method; it is expensive because it must be redone frequently; it is dangerous; and it makes the
neighborhood look bad. It only takes a minute to improperly prune or remove a tree and a
lifetime to grow one. This is why it is imperative to preserve and properly care for mature
trees. Please do not allow your trees to be topped. Follow proper pruning guidelines or contact
a professional arborist for recommendations on how to correct this practice. For more information
click here.
Q. What is the best way to ensure newly planted trees will survive?
A. Trees usually take at least three years to get established, which means they need some
care during this time period. In the absence of regular rainfall (during the summer months and winter
droughts), a newly planted tree will need about 10 gallons of water per week. This can be achieved
by using 5 gallon buckets or placing your hose at a very low volume (a trickle) at the base of the
tree for a couple of hours. Also, it is important to make sure that there is enough mulch around the
base of the tree. You should try to have about 3-4 inches of mulch for at least a 2 foot radius
around the base of the tree; add more mulch as it decomposes to maintain the proper depth; keep
the mulch two inches away from the trunk of the tree so that it does not cause the base of the trunk
to rot. Mulch provides nutrients, suppresses weeds and, most importantly, acts as a "moisture trap,"
keeping the soil beneath it moist.
Q. Should I fertilize newly planted trees?
A. Generally, no. Fertilization stimulates new foliar growth which is drawn from the tree's
stored carbohydrate reserves. A newly planted tree generally loses up to 90% of its root
system which limits the reserves from which it can draw. The first priority for a young tree is
to establish a functional root system; fertilizing does not encourage root development. Root
development is encouraged by properly watering the tree for the first 3 years (10 gallons per week).
If you do decide to fertilize, use a slow-release fertilizer only.
TREE PLANTING
Q. I would like to plant a tree. Which species should I choose?
A. Proper tree selection depends on many factors. First, you should consider where the
tree will be located. If the tree will be in your yard, these guidelines from
the Western Washington and Oregon Community Tree Guide
will help you determine what type of tree is best. Urban Forestry has also developed a Street Tree Selection
Guide to help you select an appropriate street
tree; for street trees, factors such as planting strip width and presence of overhead utility lines
are important considerations.
Q. I would like to plant a street tree in front of my house. What steps need to be taken?
A. Before you plant a street tree, contact Urban Forestry and
we will inspect your site, provide you with a list of appropriate tree species for site conditions
(planting strip width, presence of overhead utilities, etc.), and mark the curb where the tree(s) should
be planted. Before you begin to plant the tree ALWAYS call (360) 696-4848 before you dig to check for
underground utilities.
Q. How do I become involved in a neighborhood tree planting?
A. The easiest way to become involved in a neighborhood tree planting is to contact
Friends of
Trees. Vancouver Urban Forestry has partnered with Friends
of Trees to encourage community participation in stewardship of the urban forest, and to keep the price
of tree installation low while providing high quality trees and planting support. Participating in the
Vancouver NeighborWoods Program is also a great way to come
in contact with other tree lovers and work directly with the Urban Forestry staff on the development of a
neighborhood tree planting.
Q. What is Friends of Trees?
A. Friends of Trees is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring community stewardship of
our urban forest by bringing people in the Portland-Vancouver area together to plant, care for and
learn about city trees. Through its grassroots efforts, Friends of Trees forms partnerships with
local governments and businesses, and recruits and trains volunteers to keep our urban forest
flourishing. For more information contact Friends of
Trees.
Q. My neighborhood would like to do a tree planting project. How can we get funding for this?
A. The City of Vancouver's Office of Neighborhoods has a small grant program for funding
neighborhood improvement projects such as tree plantings. Click here
for more information. Another way to fund a tree
planting project is to ask local business for sponsorships. The Urban Forestry program also has a list
of other grant opportunities that may apply to your project; call (360) 619-1108 for more information.
Q. I would like to plant a tree to honor a loved one. Can Vancouver Urban Forestry help?
A. The City of Vancouver honors special persons or events through its
Witness Tree program. The Witness Tree Program offers
a unique way to
honor a loved one or remember an event by adopting an existing tree or planting a new one. A catalogue of
Witness Trees will be kept on the Witness Tree Register so that future generations can find information about your particular tree and the person it honors.
PROBLEMS WITH TREES
Q. Roots have damaged my sidewalk and curb, what can I do?
A. Tree roots can damage sidewalks and other physical infrastructure. However, this damage is a
small price to pay for tree-lined streets. The average life span of a sidewalk is 20 years, while trees can
live well over 40 years. This is why, for a long term solution, we require trees to be retained and the
sidewalk corrected. The best way to avoid these conflicts is to plant the most appropriate tree based on
the width of your planting strip to minimize future infrastructure damage. Check the City's Street Tree
Selection Guide to select a tree species that is appropriate for the width of your planting strip.
If your sidewalk has started to buckle, for a short term fix one solution is to apply an asphalt patch
or grind down the sidewalk to smooth out any tripping hazards that may exist. If you have pavers and
they have started to settle or shift, you can reset the pavers by adding more sand. Another solution
is to remove the damaged sidewalk area, prune the tree roots and/or install root barriers, and then
replace the sidewalk. Damage to sidewalks or curbs is not sufficient cause for removal of street trees.
Contact Urban Forestry for further assistance.
Q. I believe tree roots are clogging my sewer pipes. What can be done about this?
A. The intrusion of tree roots into sewage pipes is rarely the fault of the tree and indicates
fractures and leaks in the pipes themselves. Root growth is initiated where the conditions allow, roots do
not themselves break pipes. When roots are found to be growing in pipes the pipes need to be "rotorooted"
and treated with a root inhibiting compound. When these measures do not work, removal of the tree or
replacement of the pipes may be warranted.
Q. How do I recognize hazardous situations in a tree?
A. Recognizing and evaluating hazardous tree situations should only be done by a qualified ISA
Certified Arborist. If the tree is on private property, contact an ISA Certified Arborist for
recommendations/inspection and always check for appropriate permits. If the tree in question is on
city property or in the city right of way, contact
Urban Forestry and we'd be happy to
respond to the situation.
NATIVE VS. INVASIVE PLANTS AND PLANT IDENTIFICATION
Q. What trees and shrubs are native to Vancouver?
A. Check out this list of native trees and shrubs.
Q. What kind of tree is that in my landscape?
A. For help identifying landscape trees browse Oregon State University's Department of Horticulture
Landscape Plants website. You can also visit the Washington State
Extension Service in Brush Prairie to speak with a Master Gardener.
Q. What are the advantages of using native plants in my landscape?
A. Landscaping with native plants, or naturescaping, has many benefits for the homeowner and
local environment. Native, or indigenous, plants are those species that existed locally before the
arrival of European settlers. Since these plants thrived locally long before the arrival of garden
hose, fertilizer, herbicide and sprinkler systems, they are eminently suited to the local climate and
environment. From a landscaping perspective, perhaps the greatest benefit of native plants is that
they are naturally drought tolerant and thus do not require supplemental watering throughout the
summer - this conserves water and saves money. Native plants also do not require fertilizer or
pesticides to maintain, which means that less chemicals are released into the environment. Finally,
native plants provide food and habitat for native birds, insects, and small mammals. Check out
Naturescaping for Clean Rivers and
WSU Extension Master Gardeners
for more information.
Q. Why should I remove English Ivy from my landscape?
A. English Ivy (Hedera helix) is an invasive species that is not native to this region. Because
no native animals are adapted to eat English ivy's foliage and native plants are not adapted to compete
with ivy for space, water and nutrients, English ivy is able to grow out of control in our temperate
climate. Ivy can grow into a dense mat covering the forest floor, creating "ivy deserts" where no other
plants can reproduce. Ivy vines also grow into the canopy of mature trees where they prevent the tree
from receiving adequate sunlight and break tree branches with their excessive weight. Eventually, mature
ivy can literally strangle and kill a large tree. For more information on ivy ecology and removal tips,
check out The Ivy Removal Project and this
fact sheet from
The Nature Conservancy. English ivy seeds are dispersed by birds such as starlings, so if you
must keep ivy in your landscape it is important to cut the flowers
before the fruit is formed to prevent the ivy from spreading into other areas.
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