City of Irving

Heritage District Street Tree

Key Findings and Recommendations

Lorraine Taylor Micah Pace, M.S.

Irving Heritage District Regional Urban Forester
Neighborhood Texas Forest Service
Association

May 27, 2009

1
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Overview
Post Oaks and other native trees in the Heritage District are


Trees are critical to our quality of life

Trees provide real economic benefits

Trees provide ecological services

Post Oaks are important to our heritage

The Heritage District urban forest is unique in Dallas County

An urban forest within Heritage Crossing gives an authentic

quality and will position the City of Irving as a leader in visionary
urban design
2
3
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Project Description
WHAT?
– A public street tree survey was conducted on Saturday, March 21, 2009
– Data collected using peer-reviewed methodology developed by U.S. Forest Service

WHERE?
– Area of study was 1 square mile and 4.6 linear miles of public streets/rights-of-way
– Bounded by South Britain Rd, South O’Connor Rd, Rock Island Rd, and Sixth Street

GOALS:
1. Protect trees within the Irving Heritage District as it is redeveloped
2. Strengthen tree preservation provisions of the Heritage Crossing Design Guidelines
3. Demonstrate the value of our community forest resources
4. Identify strategies for long-term resource management
5. Establish an urban forestry program for the City of Irving

WHO?
– Heritage District Neighborhood Association – Texas Master Naturalists
– Texas Forest Service – Arborilogical Services, Inc.
– Irving’s Green Advisory Committee – Tree Artistry Tree Services
– Keep Irving Beautiful – 50+ Volunteers
– Local businesses 4
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Key Findings
653 street trees were identified with a total replacement
value of $5.6 Million
Total Gross Annual Benefits for all trees across all benefit categories is $76,000
– Size does matter - Post Oaks represent 29% of all street trees and provide
50% of all benefits
– Crapemyrtles represent 23% of street trees but provide 6% of the benefits

Street trees represent a canopy coverage of 34% of total street/sidewalk area

63% of all trees were evaluated are in “Good” condition and 23% are “Fair”

42% of the street trees have a caliper of 24” or more

2.5% of all street trees are of critical concern and represent a public safety
concern while 3.6% of all street trees require immediate removal

5
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Define
Objectives
STRATUM Process
Install STRATUM

Choose Use Existing Perform Sample OR Perform Full

Inventory Method Inventory OR Inventory
Inventory

Format/ Draw Random

Quality Check/ Sample
Convert Data to Access

Import Access Map Sample

Database to STRATUM

Install i-Tree
Start STRATUM
PDA Utility
Project

Define Data Configure PDA

Inputs

Quality Check
Report Results

Collect Data
Interpret Results

Transfer Data to
Desktop
Community Forest
Management Plan
6
 Defin

Generating &
Objectiv
e
es

Install
STRATUM Interpreting Reports
Choos Use Perform Perform
OR OR Invento
Inventory
e Invento
Existing Invento
Sample Full
Method ry ry ry

Forma Draw
Quality
t/ Random
Sampl
Convert Data to
Check/
Access
e

Import Map
Database
Accessto Sample
STRATUM

Install i-
Start Tree
(Desktop PDA
Projec
STRATUM and
t
Define Configur PDA
Input
Data e
s
Quality
Report Check
Results
Collect
Interpret Data
Results
Transfer Data
to Deskto
Community p
Management
Forest
Plan 7
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Report Results

Resource Benefit Cost

Structure Analysis
Analysis

Interpret
Results

Community
Management
Forest
Plan

8
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Recommendation to Council
Amend the Heritage Crossing Design Guidelines before adoption
to include following provisions:

4. Require developments to follow construction guidelines set by an arborist that are

conducive to preserving relic and other mature trees

6. Require water permeable pavement within 6 feet of the drip line of relic and other mature
trees (note that interlocking and decorative pavement is already included in the
guidelines)

8. Identify lots with Post and Blackjack Oaks that could be made into pocket parks in
Heritage Crossing

9
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Recommendations to Management
Create and/or maintain adequate structural complexity within
the community forest resource
1. Plant and favor native, well adapted and long-lived species
2. Reduce over-reliance on too few species
3. Rejuvenate areas where even, old-aged stands exist

Increase and/or maintain the canopy coverage to maximize tree benefits

1. Selective removal and replacement of old and/or damaged trees
2. Fill-in plantable spaces with well adapted, large crowned, long-lived species
10
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Recommendations to Management
Establish sustainable pruning and maintenance program to
increase tree health and thus benefits
1. Improve young tree care
2. Establish a pruning cycle wherein each tree is visited every 3-5 years
3. Set pruning priorities to improve management efficiency and effectiveness

Follow the four required steps to become a Tree City U.S.A.

1. Hire professional forester/arborist and/or establish an urban forestry board
2. Adopt a tree care ordinance
3. Establish community forestry program with an annual budget of $2 per capita
4. Develop an Arbor Day festival with proclamation

Establish a Formal Urban Forestry Program

11
 185 yr old Post Oak in
Heritage Park on Main Street
This tree began growing ca 1823

Historical Events of 1823:

3. Jan 3rd - Stephen F. Austin
receives a grant of land in
Texas from the government of
Mexico
5. May 10th - 1st steamboat to
navigate the Mississippi River
arrives at Fort Snelling
7. Dec 2nd - President James
Monroe declares his "Monroe
Doctrine"

91 yrs old at the 1914

Incorporation of Irving

12
Executive Summary of Irving’s Heritage District Street Tree Survey

Questions?

13