Urban Forest Management

Follow Up and New Initiatives

Tree/Urban Forest Management includes the efforts made by municipal, corporate (including all forms of local businesses) and private citizens in regards to urban forestry. Written policies, by-laws, and standards for tree planting and care. Long and short term plans. Inclusion of tree inventory; qualified/trained staff; Plant Health Care and Integrated Pest Management; heritage, memorial and commemorative trees; hardy species; variety; succession planting; suitability; planting and care of school grounds.

"Everywhere we judged we saw trees, the whole city rests under a green canopy". (Betty Lamont, Martin Quinn, 2005)

Visiting Judges have consistently championed the practice of Urban Forest Management in the City. While such comments have left us feeling very proud of the City’s achievements, the Judges also made recommendations for improvement in our practices. As a ‘Friend’ to Communities in Bloom in 2007 and now in preparation for the 2008 National Event, we have or are in the process of following-up on their suggestions.

"The rating system that was used to establish removal priorities was, the judges believe, right on target and, to use Communities in Bloom jargon, exemplified a "five bloom" effort". (Matt Rosen, Dave Hilton, 2006)

In 2007, following a review of the City’s response to the July 2006 Storm Event, Public Works policy revisions to enhance procedures were implemented and the task of replacing damaged and/or lost trees began. Over the next three years over 900 trees will have been planted. Visiting judges have requested the approved City Tree List. In 2008, the following tree selections will be planted:
Autumn Blaze Maple, Green Mountain Sugar Maple, Black Maple, Autumn Spire Red Maple, Armstrong Red Maple, Bur Oak, Little Leaf Linden, Ginkgo Biloba, Chanticlear Pear, Emerald Queen Maple and Columnar Maple.

"The My Tree Project is, the judges believe, indicative of the way that the citizenry value trees and the urban forest". (Matt Rosen, Dave Hilton, 2006)

The 2007 ‘My Tree Project’ was a great success. This year, new community programs have been established in partnership with Peterborough Green-Up. Supported by the Trillium Foundation, the Neighbourwoods project, modeled on research from the University of Toronto, is raising community awareness and knowledge about the benefit of trees. Over 75, hands-on volunteer stewards are compiling tree inventories and during the next 3 years will enhance the tree inventory by community planting projects.

"The donation of 10,000 trees by Cecil Flanniken and reforestation of Rotary Park are examples of public interest and worthy of note". (Matt Rosen, Dave Hilton, 2006)

The community continues to plant trees. In spring 2008, Rotary Club volunteers planted over 500 trees along the banks of a new bridge linking the Rotary Trail with the Trent Spur. Each student who participated in the Communities in Bloom Poster Competition received a White Pine seedling and students participating in Earth Day planted trees at their schools.

"Although the City participates in the Ontario Heritage Tree program, the judges suggested that the City give consideration to establishing its own Heritage Tree program." (Matt Rosen, Dave Hilton, 2006)

This year, the City commissioned a review of existing Urban Forest Management Policies with a goal to develop and adopt a new Strategic Plan to achieve specific objects for the Urban Forest guided by the mission statement:

The City of Peterborough recognizes the vital contribution of trees in the urban forest on both private and public lands to the natural, social and economic well being of all our citizens. To safeguard the benefits provided by the urban forest, the City is committed to a management strategy with measurable outcomes that promote community stewardship and best forest management practices to sustain, enhance and renew this essential natural resource.

To achieve this vision for our Urban Forest, the new Strategy responds to the following challenges: Tree Protection, Plant Health Care Practice, Education and Outreach and Maintenance Management. Within the Tree Protection protocol, in partnership with the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee, we are preparing a By-law to define the identification criteria and a preservation program for Heritage Trees.

In January of 2008, a new program was launched in local schools to compliment the Urban Forest program. Educators visited 15 Grade-Four classes in the city, linking trees with the ‘habitats’ component of the Grade Four curriculum. Students explored their schoolyards, looking for signs of animal habitat, then made a poster showing the many benefits of trees to all living things. Children worked in groups to prepare and record radio ads on the importance of trees, which were aired free of charge on Trent Radio (our local university-based radio station). Students also wrote letter to the newspaper and City officials, explaining how much they care about our trees, and asking their help to ensure that we always have beautiful trees in Peterborough. These heartfelt letters resulted in a personal visit from Mayor Ayotte to several classes, so the students could share their views in person.