Update Chapter 37 Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection to improve protections for trees

Resource Need: $$ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years 

Revise City Code Section 37.02 to better protect city trees

• Look at reorganization of city code to make it more accessible to the layperson
• Consider revisions to City tree definition to improve understanding of which trees these are in the public rights-of-way
• Provide clear criteria for removal to make the tree removal process less subjective
  • Revise ordinance to include penalties for violations for failure to obtain permits for removals
• Consider the Tree Commission focus on the appeals process
• Update tree removal mitigation fees
• Consider implementing monetary penalties

Revise City Code Section 37.03 to protect Landmark trees

• Define proper maintenance standards
  • Require adherence to ANSI Standards and best management practices
• Revise to reflect current practices in relation to property owner discounts for the care of Landmark trees
  • Include considerations for protecting public forested land including natural regeneration
• Consider recognizing all valley oaks (Quercus lobata) greater than five inches in diameter as Landmark trees
  • Consider expanding the definition and protection of Landmark tree to recognize and protect other native tree species
• Provide clear criteria for removal to make the tree removal process less subjective
  • Consider complimentary arborists reports
• Consider only allowing removal of designation if a tree is determined to be hazardous as determined by a Qualified Tree Risk Assessor

Revise City Code Section 37.04 to increase success in meeting parking lot shade goals

• Align ordinance with the California Solar Right Act and avoid removing mature trees to install solar
• Revisit and/or reassess parking lot canopy cover percentage requirements in reference to the canopy goals
  • Consider implementing a self-reporting evaluation for parking lot owners to report on meeting parking lot shade requirements, including the number of trees and vacant sites
  • Consider adding additional urban forestry staff to inspect parking lots to monitor compliance with shade requirements
• Consider substitutes for meeting parking lot tree canopy cover goals
  • Explore the use of vertical gardens and/or green roofs to reduce stormwater runoff and substitute for tree canopy cover
  • Explore the use of permeable pavements (e.g., asphalt/concrete) and stormwater detention (below grade/swales) to allow for percolation/recharge of soil moisture and substitute for tree canopy
  • Continue to explore the use of reflective and low albedo and lighter colored pavements
  • Assess the parking lot for compatibility with solar installation by considering:
    • Square footage (i.e., prioritize larger parking lots)
    • Storefronts
    • Pre-existing infrastructure (e.g., signage, lights, security cameras, planters, and trees)
    • Pedestrian traffic
  • Assess the option of solar shade structures to be used to meet the shade requirements
    • Explore the use of nature inspired/biophilic designs for shade structures
    • Include bioswales with landscaping in areas around solar panels that are not conducive to trees
    • Require planters around the perimeter of parking lots to provide visual screening
• Increase flexibility to install "green parking lot" retrofits, including trees, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations
  • Explore co-owned private/public solar installations in public parking lots
  • Explore working with the UC Davis Global Ecology and Sustainability Lab to determine how to optimize solar in the community
• Encourage long-term retention of atmospheric particles by planting long-lived trees
  • Utilize evergreen species to provide year-round removal of particles
• Any revisions to this section should be reflected in City Code Section 40.25.100

Revise City Code Section 37.05 to improve protections to trees during construction

• Indicate all trees on the site and adjacent to the site that may be affected by construction activities
  • Include a checkmark on building permits and discretionary permits to indicate the applicant has included all the trees on the site in their application
  • Require a site visit that includes tree inspections during the construction/development process
• Standardize the minimum size of tree protection zones
  • Require replacement of requisite trees if trees fail or are removed as a consequence of construction
  • Provide additional staff to monitor and enforce tree protection zones
  • Assess development fees and determine if they are adequate to also include funding for tree inspection
• Require signage for tree protections to be visible
• Determine and formalize mitigation planting requirements
  • Consider setting replacement ratios for trees that are removed
  • Advocate for the resources (staffing and funding) needed to be a able to monitor mitigation plantings
  • Replacement trees should be a with similar species or stature tree from the approved tree species list (i.e., a large statured tree should not be replaced with a small statured tree)
• Consider developing a technical tree manual to provide detailed policies to protect trees during construction
• Require arborist fees in land development agreement
  • Consider reduced fees for discretionary permits for single-family dwellings or multi-family duplexes

Raise awareness of the tree planting, preservation and protection ordinance

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing
 

Update website information to not only outline tree protections for developers, but also for homeowners: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/urban-forestry/tree-preservation

• Create an informational handout or outline the tree protection process

Identify shortcomings in existing practices to achieve 50% tree canopy in publicly-owned parking lots

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 1-5 Years

Identify opportunities in existing public parking lots to expand tree canopy

• Avoid planting tree species that struggle in smaller planting spaces
• Audit irrigation systems
  • Adjust volume and run-times to achieve optimal tree health
• Consider installation of protective barriers to prevent vehicular damage to trees

Consider using public parking lots that meet the canopy requirement as an example of 50% shade in outreach materials for private parking lot owners

Determine if ordinance/policy amendments are necessary based on findings

Collaborate with other City departments to maximize tree preservation and canopy expansion in design standards and specifications

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 1-5 Years

Develop recommendations, specifications, and standard operating procedures for developments

• Update Street Tree Planting Standards to align with best management practices
• Review and update irrigation specifications

Work with the Community Development Department to get an arborist review on all landscape plans

• Inspect the site to confirm adherence to the landscape plan after installation

Consider trees at the beginning of the development process through mechanisms to enforce tree protections and highlight trees in planning design and review discussions

• Plan for the placement of trees to avoid problematic accessibility situations in the future
• Consider tree(s) contributions to the local ecology and biodiversity
• Add a checkbox to acknowledge Tree Protection in the Design Review Information Checklist
• Ensure planter strips are large enough to accommodate trees
  • Explore supplementing and implementing planters and pavement design options to reduce conflicts between trees and infrastructure (e.g., structural soils, suspended pavements, pervious pavements, rubber/flexible sidewalks)
  • Consider use of bump outs and other designs, especially near bus stops

Revise design standards to improve soil volume

• Establish minimum soil volumes
• Establish minimum planter sizes
• Require the installation of irrigation in parking lots to water parking lot trees
• Continue to require greenery in parking lots with solar installations
• Reference designs in future parking lot construction/development
• Designs that allow for more soil volume/air and water infiltration (e.g., permeable pavements, chokers, stormwater catchment swales/planting areas, suspended pavements)
• Create standards for use of structural cells for sidewalks of a certain size , where appropriate
• Consider modifications to existing irrigation systems to separate irrigation lines for trees and turf areas
• Consider incorporating sustainable landscape rating systems when implementing new landscaping
  • Explore climate ready landscape plan templates to be publicly available

Continue to conduct design review in Capital Improvement Projects

Consider amending responsibilities for the Tree Commission

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years

Update name of the Commission to reflect its role in the protection of trees and canopy on both public and private property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explore the Tree Commission's role in hearing tree removals

• Evaluate ways to improve the function and responsibilities of the Tree Commission
• Consider undertaking an assessment to fully capture staff resource requirements to assist Tree Commission deliberations

Return to City Council to discuss the involvement of the Tree Commission in the development review process

Recognize the value of mature trees

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Standardize the use of i-Tree Design by developers/designers/planners to assess environmental benefits of private trees (in addition to the aesthetic value) proposed to be removed during development

Explore the use of trees as a stormwater control measure, being consistent with State regulatory requirements

• Explore prohibition on the removal of healthy mature trees to install stormwater infiltration swales and basins

Set emphasis on planting the right tree, in the right place, for the right reasons

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Update and maintain the Master Tree List

• Include species characteristics (e.g., drought tolerance, utility-friendly, stature, etc.)
• Identify and integrate climate-ready species into the palette
• Identify species that are tolerant of poor soil conditions
• Consider drought tolerant species that require less water and/or species that can handle reclaimed water
• Add species that are performing well and remove species that are not
  • Provide educational materials on planting problematic tree species (e.g. palms, etc.) or trees that are failing in climate change
• Continue research partnerships with outside organizations to continue evaluating species resiliency and response to climate change and equity
• Continue to work with regional groups to identify climate ready species and encourage their availability
  • Explore contract growing with local nurseries to source diverse landscape material

Assess setting species diversity goals by neighborhood

• Use the City tree inventory to articulate species diversity at the neighborhood level
  • Proactively communicate species availability to community groups
• Replace trees that are removed with a different species than what a tree may have been if it was planted as a monoculture
• Identify specific trees that best fits Downtown Davis’ needs and fulfills “complete streets” goals
• Continue to work with the Tree Commission to recommend updates to the following:
  • City planting standards
  • Tree preservation and protection standards
  • City’s Master Tree List
• Consider Municipal Code 40.31.050 principles for landscape architecture to match the overall character of the neighborhood
  • Parking lot tree recommendations within larger Master Tree List (goal is to combine documents)
• Consider the historic and future context of landscapes in tree species selection
• Provide education materials on California Invasive Plant Council invasive species, including Triadica sebifera and Acacia melanoxylon

Adjust planting practices to improve tree health and longevity

• Continue to regularly update the Tree Planting Guidelines and Street Tree Planting Standard
  • Use research to modify planting practices
  • Follow best management practices for tree planting
  • Require all public tree planting follow the standards
  • Create specs and guidelines for the use of root barriers
  • Explore the use of biochar in planting sites to improve water-holding capacity
• Continue to plant park trees farther from the sidewalks and pathways to avoid potential conflicts
  • Consider incorporating meandering sidewalks in areas where existing trees in parks conflict with sidewalks
• Provide adequate spacing and soil volumes in park tree plantings to avoid conflicts with hardscape
  • Explore the use of alternative sidewalk materials to avoid conflicts with sidewalks
• Provide opportunities for community solar to avoid conflict with existing trees
• Use successful habitat restoration projects to educate on the potential to incorporate native, deep rooted ground covers (e.g., grasses) that help pull up water and share it with surrounding trees

Follow integrated pest management (IPM) protocols and best management practices for managing pests and disease

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Monitor for regional and national pests and pathogens of concern

• Augment staffing levels to allow for pest monitoring
• Engage in trainings about integrated pest management for key pests

Prevent dense plantings of host species for known pests

• Explore neighborhood diversity standards to reduce monocultures and reduce reliance on common species

Regularly inspect trees to identify potential pest/pathogens

Incorporate non-chemical strategies to decrease susceptibility to pests and pathogens

• Select cultivars with known resistance for pests and disease
• Integrate biological and cultural controls into pest management programs
• Sanitize equipment to avoid spread, especially when managing anthracnose

If chemical treatments are required, follow best management practices:

• Read the label
• Avoid application on flowering plants
• Prevent the recurring use of the same pesticide and mode of action to control pests
• Monitor weather conditions to avoid impacts from drifting chemicals
• Monitor environmental conditions and match them to the product to maximize efficacy

Publish articles and fact sheets about common pest issues in local media outlets

Develop a risk management plan and policy for the urban forest

Resource Need: $$ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years 

Identify risk assessment priorities, protocols, policy, and final authority for removals

• Differentiate what constitutes an emergency versus non programmed maintenance

Formalize routine trainings on the Emergency Response Plan

Regularly inspect all trees to proactively identify risks

• Provide more frequent inspections in areas of heavy traffic (e.g., green belts and parks)

Continue to work with Public Works Utilities and Operations, Parks and Community Services, the Fire Department, and Open Space management staff as needed to address areas that may be at risk for wildfire

Continue to comply with the Migratory Bird Act and avoid maintenance activity during nesting season

Create a wood utilization plan

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 1-5 Years 

Explore opportunities to repurpose the wood with the community

• Consider public art projects
• Consider opportunities for the production and use of biochar
• Explore the use of urban trees as biofuel

Continue to partner with contracting arborists to recycle/reuse wood from large removals

Maintain and clarify the practice of using wood chips from City tree removals

• Continue to provide curbside leaf litter pick-up through the Seasonal On-Street Yard Pile Collection Program
• Continue to use chips from trees that are removed as mulch throughout the City
• Provide the community with an opportunity to pick up wood chips for use in private landscapes
• Identify dead trees and/or snags that are candidates for retention to serve as wildlife habitat
• Conduct risk assessments on candidate trees to determine level of risk associated with retention
  • Remove limbs to mitigate risk
• Set up perimeter fencing to protect wildlife habitat

Work with the community to establish canopy goals above and beyond no net loss for neighborhoods, bike paths, City rights-of-way, land use, Downtown, and other subsections of the community

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing 

Use TreeKeeper Canopy to establish tree canopy goals and determine the number of trees that need to be planted in the specified timespan to meet that goal

• Consider community needs for trees and tree canopy to address local conditions, including air quality, heat islands, median income, and minority populations
• Provide materials on how to care for trees to encourage preservation of existing trees on private property

Educate the community on the importance of private trees in reaching canopy goals

• Educate businesses with parking lots that are not currently subject to City Code about the benefits of trees and how to incorporate them effectively into parking lots
• Encourage the use of best management practices
• Host meetings at local events to gather community input on canopy goals
  • Consider purchasing International Society of Arboriculture Best Management Practices and make them available through the public library

Monitor changes in tree canopy cover

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing 

Complete a tree canopy and land cover assessment every 10 years to help strategize the next 10 years and prioritize efforts

• Assess changes in parking lots
• Conduct forest fragmentation studies every five years to monitor changes in wildlife corridors and identify potential planting sites to help facilitate wildlife habitat and movement
• Reassess local canopy goals in response to patterns of expansion and/or loss of tree canopy
• Host meetings at local events to collect potential planting locations
• Use aerial imagery and remote sensing to map changes to the extent and location of tree canopy and other land cover and assess progress on tree canopy goals every 10 years

Plant trees to sustain and enhance tree canopy

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing 

Use TreeKeeper Canopy to identify potential planting areas

• Explore mechanisms in the Story Map to allow community members to request trees in particular areas

Explore partnerships with local utility providers to incentivize the planting of trees on private property

• Consider rebates with local utility providers to encourage planting trees on private property
• Consider an incentive program to cover cost of water for folks who plant approved trees in their yards and show that the trees survive each year

Support and encourage tree planting and maintenance efforts on private property (e.g., schools)

• Encourage the planting of the right tree, right place
• Provide free and/or low-cost trees
• Collaborate on grants that provide free or low cost trees for private property (e.g., Resilience)
• Consider a joint program with Tree Davis to offer additional plantings at multifamily properties

Assess the feasibility of the city taking on the care for private trees planted in the public easement

• Create a GIS layer that shows the easement boundaries
• Update the public tree inventory to include all trees within the public easement
• Work to get City access to all easement land for tree maintenance
• Develop a work plan to determine the resources needed to care for these trees

Strive for equitable distribution of canopy and urban forestry resources

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing 

Define "Target equity" in the lens of tree planting

• Explore potential factors to consider in prioritization of efforts, including heat island impacts, population density, socioeconomics, transportation routes, air quality, stormwater concerns
• Consider current tree canopy in neighborhoods, bus stops, transportation corridors, etc.

Utilize TreeKeeper Canopy to identify areas with lower tree canopy cover

• Work with local neighborhoods to develop appropriate tree canopy cover goals
• Communicate with communities to identify where tree plantings should be prioritized

Consider how questions of equity might interact with benefits for non-humans, like wildlife

• Consider further equity analysis of shade within the community
• Finance green space projects where opportunities exist

Complete a tree canopy and land cover assessment every 10 years to monitor changes in distribution of tree canopy over time

Collaborate with non-profits involved in creating a more equitable urban forest

Preserve and protect trees in open space

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing 

Strategically plant tree to encourage regional habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors

Continue to identify opportunities to retain dead standing trees wherever possible to serve as wildlife habitat

• Set up perimeter fencing to protect wildlife habitat

Identify the necessary resources to meet community expectations

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Continue to share resources between Parks and Recreation and Public Works (e.g., equipment)

• Formalize the equipment training and inspection processes for all urban forestry equipment
  • Consider inter-departmental trainings

Base optimal staffing levels on the services provided and the associated time they take

• Have supervisors (2) provide:
  • Supervise tree crew
  • Contract monitoring
  • Review/Assign work orders
  • Development enforcement
  • Plan review
  • Quality assurance
• Look at additional applicable certifications for all staff
• Have two in-house crews of urban forestry technicians (4) provide:
  • Training pruning
  • Small/young tree maintenance
  • Clearance/visibility pruning
  • Emergency response
  • Tree and stump removals
• Have office assistant (1) provide:
  • Customer service support
  • Permitting, service requests, and ownership checks support
• Evaluate the need for additional equipment
• Reassess as necessary in 5 years, evaluate staffing levels and adjust the balance between in-house crews and contractors

Consider augmenting in-house crews with contractors to care for large, mature trees

• Have contractors complete:
  • Grid pruning
  • Large tree maintenance
  • Emergency response
  • Large tree/stump removals
  • Maintenance records regularly (e.g., monthly or bi-monthly)
• Ensure that contractors follow industry standards
• Require the crew leads for contractors to be Certified Tree Workers
• Assign staff to monitor and review work completed by contractors for quality assurance
  • Report on contractor productivity in the State of the Urban Forest Report
  • Consider adding a position or reorganize work loads to ensure staff manage contractors
  • Consider training contractors to meet City expectations
• Explore the use of contractors for completing initial response and inspections for service requests
• Explore restarting the urban forestry internship program
  • Consider partnerships with local schools/universities

Consider adding an administrative position to:

• Attach historical records to the inventory
• Coordinate with property owners of priority work for private trees in the public easement
• Manage and close unresolved and/or duplicate work orders
• Facilitate city tree/ownership checks
• Receive and forward calls related to trees
• Compile Tree Commission packets
• Review and address removal requests

Establish sustainable funding for urban forestry

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Identify existing revenue streams to support urban forestry, including:

• Parks Maintenance Tax
• Assessments
• Tree Preservation Funds
• Consider alternative revenue sources, including:
  • Capital Improvement Project budgets
  • Bonds
  • Land development mitigation
  • Land development fees
  • Capital cost recovery fees
  • Service fees (other)
  • Consider partnerships for public health initiatives
  • Explore carbon markets (e.g., City Forest Credits)

Continue to explore grant opportunities in urban forestry, public health, affordable housing, and environmental justice

Explore interest in the development of a Tree Management District to fund tree maintenance

Continue to work with area non-profits (like Tree Davis) to enable the community to donate funds to plant/maintain trees

• Explore mechanisms for residents to locate vacant planting sites and donate funds for planting/maintaining a tree in the site
• Consider offering "tree sponsorships" to interested community members to assist with maintenance costs

Make tree work as safe as possible

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Enhance current safety training to include:

• Annual trainings on emergency response
• Continue weekly tailgates/briefings
• Training on proper use of equipment
• Participation in outside trainings
• Keep records of trainings and participation

Implement a program to ensure that equipment use and maintenance is appropriately logged

Develop a 7-year work plan to address all priority and routine maintenance

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing

Use the inventory to identify priority and routine maintenance

• Update the inventory to reflect current maintenance needs
• Consider species that may require more frequent maintenance (e.g., Texas red oak, Chinese pistache, etc.)
  • Consult resources that may provide insight on species maintenance needs and failure rates
• Consider areas of town that may require more frequent pruning cycles (e.g., along double-decker bus routes, downtown)
• Continue to provide training pruning for young trees every 2-years to avoid more expensive maintenance as trees age

Project costs for completing maintenance

• Identify budgetary shortfalls

Program in regular inspections to proactively identify risks

• Create plan to increase frequency of inspections in heavy use parks and green belts
• Notify property owners of maintenance needs for private trees in the public easement
• Consider using windshield assessments to identify maintenance priorities based on age of maintenance cycle
  • Identify trees that require a level 2 inspection and tree risk assessment

Continue to address outstanding service requests and work orders

• Continue to work with inter-departmental stakeholders in Parks, Community Development and Engineering & Transportation to ensure regular communication about planting efforts, routine and out of cycle maintenance, and large projects

Meet annually with Unitrans to identify city trees that will require some additional maintenance to allow clearance for their double decker busses

• Work with Unitrans, Yolobus, Recology to identify private trees that have grown into the rights-of-way, and develop plan to address
• Coordinatie with property owners of priority work for private trees in the public easement

Facilitate specific structural pruning to integrate trees as part of the overall landscape

• Directionally prune trees to reduce the frequency for pruning, especially over double-decker bus routes

After work plan is complete and as funds permit, reduce the current 7-year pruning cycle to 5-years for larger trees

• Continue to publish pruning cycle maps
• Consider adding the last year the pruning cycle was completed

Work toward creating a tree inventory where all work orders in the system are up to date

Resource Need: $$ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 1-5 Years 

Establish a workflow protocol for responding to work orders

• Direct service requests to the StoryMap or public facing inventory to obtain the Tree ID
• Attach work orders to a specific asset
• Review if the work order is already in the system/duplicated
• Provide training on the protocol for all new employees
• Close work orders as they are addressed/completed
• Explore contractors ability to update the inventory data specification as work orders are completed (e.g., diameter and condition)

Consider using contractors cross-check that all historic work orders have been completed

Update the inventory of public trees and collect the following data attributes (including but not limited to):

• Species
• Size
• Condition
• Maintenance recommendations
• Cardinal direction and distance to buildings to estimate energy benefits
• Tree location (e.g., public/private easements)
• Planter size
• Available planting sites
• Medians with irrigation systems
• Landmark trees

Consider additional attributes, including more detail on utility conflicts and site variables to be included in the inventory of all downtown trees

Explore modifications to the existing city-asset management system to have a specific dashboard for urban forestry assets

Resource Need: $$ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 1-5 Years 

Consider functions that provide:

• "Vacant site" as a site classification
• "Obsolete/nonfunctional site" as a site classification
• "Easement tree" as a separate classification than "public tree" and "private tree"
• Flexibility in changing data field headers (e.g., "work request" to "service request")

Explore ways to track medians with irrigation systems in a GIS database

Articulate needs for additional capabilities to the inventory system to system managers

Consider mobile capabilities

• Keep mobile tablets up to date to allow live, from-the-field updates to the asset manager

Consider using a GIS based inventory system for urban forestry assets (i.e., City trees)

Resource Need: $$ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 1-5 Years 

Ensure the management system has the following capabilities:

• Track site history
• Attach reports and photos
• Track condition
• Record maintenance
• Generate and update work orders
• Synchronize attributes to regularly update the Story Map (public inventory interface)
• Mobile capabilities

Strive for 100% stocking levels in the city tree resource in 10 years (i.e., City trees)

Resource Need: $$ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing 

Develop a long-term tree planting program

• Update the inventory of public trees to include available planting sites
• Prioritize tree planting and replacement in areas with lower tree canopy cover
  • Plant the largest statured species possible for the site to increase shade over hardscape, with consent from the local residents
• Plant trees and enhance existing tree canopy to reduce urban heat islands
  • Use the CAAP vulnerability analysis to prioritize tree planting
• Continue to strive to re-plant all previously removed trees
  • Expand in-house capacity to ensure all replacement plantings occur each year
    • Establish agreements with contractors for complete stump removals
• Continue to partner with Tree Davis for public tree planting
  • Continue to use a tree request system
• Plan for succession with species performing well
  • Consider shadow planting and phased removals in areas of Davis known to have a large portion of aging trees
    • Communicate with neighborhoods and residents on phased removal and replacement
• Prioritize planting trees in medians with existing irrigation systems
  • Develop a weekly watering schedule to provide water to trees planted in medians without irrigation systems
• Track the number of trees planted each year
  • Report the number of trees planted and the species in the State of the Urban Forest Report
  • Calculate the carbon sequestration estimates using i-Tree Planting Calculator
• Consider a separate tree planting plan specific to the downtown area

Design complete streets

• Prioritize shading and equity concerns along transportation routes for those that walk, ride or take a bus
  • Obtain/review and utilize GIS layers for:
    • Pedestrian corridors such as sidewalks, bikepaths, and bus stops
    • Green belts
    • Other outdoor areas where people congregate
  • Promote dense plantings where noise and traffic mitigation is desired

Celebrate the urban forest

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Continue to meet the minimum requirements and seek Tree City USA Designation

Use interactive tree activities to engage the community

• Consider creating a virtual tree walk/scavenger hunt of notable/historic trees in the community
• Explore the use of tree tags on trees to communicate benefits of specific trees in the community
• Consider digital mapping tools or QR codes to provide information about historic trees
• Explore tree plantings in multi-family housing

Promote awareness of the care and value of trees and the urban forest

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Share links and QR codes for the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP)

• As the UFMP is revised, implement new technologies to reinvigorate interactivities

Revitalize the tradition of having the City Arborist submit articles about community trees to the Davis Enterprise

Distribute the State of the Urban Forest Report

Lead regular campaigns to educate property owners on their responsibilities in caring for city trees

Provide educational materials to residents about tree health and the frequency of tree maintenance

• Distribute materials through the city website, social media, and in print on a variety of educational topics, including:
  • How to water trees during drought
  • How to plant a tree
  • How to care for trees during transitions from turf to xeric landscapes
  • Tree species selection for Xeric landscapes
  • Master Street Tree List
  • How to plant the right tree in the right place
  • Planting guidance for tree benefit optimization
• Expand educational efforts to digital media
  • Explore creating videos on watering techniques, landscaping techniques, preferable plant species, FAQ videos, etc.
  • Consider developing content for visual digital media

Foster relationships with local tree advocacy groups to implement the goals and objectives of the UFMP

Resource Need: $-$$ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Consider adding a volunteer coordinator position to the Urban Forestry Division

Continue to collaborate with community partners to increase awareness of the urban forest and facilitate participation in tree planting and stewardship activities

• Continue to partner with Tree Davis for public tree planting and early establishment
• Explore an inventory collection of private, protected trees

Collaborate with Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) and promote school programs

• Help support the development of learning modules about urban forestry in local schools
• Offer assistance to local schools to respond to irrigation bans for turf and implement green school yards that have more park like settings with trees and mulched areas

Explore resources necessary to collaborate with local tree advocacy groups on grant opportunities

Identify opportunities for the community to aid in the implementation UFMP goals and objectives

• Explore opportunities to use citizen science to collect urban forestry data
• Continue the Adopt-a-park program
  • Provide training to volunteers on basic tree care concepts
• Build public awareness so developers and the public understand that landscape plans have tree requirements, to plant, maintain, and replace trees
  • Work with the Community Development and Sustainability Department to make landscape plans available when possible to the public on the City’s Development Projects website
    • Make development landscape plans public information on the City’s Development Projects website

Seek out expertise from inter-agency collaborators and local experts to help in development of tree policies and procedures

Recognize the benefit and role of the urban forest in guiding and visionary documents

Resource Need: $-$$ | Current Priority: Medium/High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Amend existing City plans, guiding and visionary documents, and policies with the UFMP

• Promote the importance of trees and urban forests in local and regional planning and policy development for addressing issues of air quality and climate change
• Promote the importance of trees and urban forests in local and regional planning and policy development for addressing noise mitigation and buffering

Incorporate goals from the UFMP into the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and other future planning documents

• Incorporate those goals into the General Plan
• Consider creating a Downtown Tree Plan

Revise ordinances to incorporate the goals and objectives of the UFMP

Communicate the vision and provide continual updates to the community on progress on meeting goals and objectives

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing

Update the State of the Urban Forest Page annually

• Present the annual report to the Tree Commission and City Council to demonstrate progress in meeting the UFMP goals
• Coincide publication with annual Arbor Day celebrations
• Report on changes to the City tree inventory and landmark tree list
• Inform the community about the achievements of the UFMP
• Report progress on meeting objectives
• When applicable (at minimum every 10 years), report changes on tree canopy and other land cover
• Identify the status of funding for goals and objectives
• Communicate any challenges with meeting the goals and objectives
• Distribute the State of the Urban Forest Report through the City website
• Explore mechanisms to gather community comments
• Invite the community to provide feedback on progress
  •  Explore mechanisms to gather community comments

Review and measure attainment of the UFMP

• Conduct a tree canopy and land cover assessment every 10 years
  • Use i-Tree Canopy or remote sensing (aerial imagery) to map the distribution of tree canopy and other land cover
  • Review changes in distribution across zoning, neighborhoods, parks, rights-of-way, and parking lots
  • Consider results during UFMP review and adjust goals, objectives, and action steps as needed
  • Report changes in the State of the Urban Forest Report
  • Incorporate these changes into the UFMP and articulate changes on benchmark values
• Conduct a Resource Analysis every 5 to 10 years
  • Use i-Tree Eco to analyze the structure, composition, and benefits of the community tree resource
  • Review changes to species diversity and benefits
  • Consider results during UFMP review and adjust goals, objectives, and action steps as needed
  • Report changes in the State of the Urban Forest Report
  • Incorporate these changes into the UFMP and articulate changes on benchmark values
• Provide opportunities for community input to see how the UFMP is addressing the communities needs and pivot as needed
  • Consider having Urban Forestry team members attend public gatherings to facilitate direct communication
  • Use surveys and other engagement methods when focusing on specific projects to solicit community input
  • Consider community feedback during UFMP review and adjust goals, objectives, and action steps as needed

Maintain the web-based Urban Forest Management Plan for the next 40 years

Resource Need: $-$$ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

At a minimum, complete regular updates to the web-based Urban Forest Management Plan

• Review and update:
  • Broken links
  • Contact information
  • Plugins

Keep pace with technology and consider new innovations to modify the site to improve user interface

Revise and update the UFMP to respond to changing conditions and community needs over the next 40 years

Resource Need: $-$$ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 10 Years, Ongoing

Review and revise goals and objectives as needed every 10 years

• Revise goals and objectives and associated action steps as needed
• Adjust targets as necessary

Identify the costs of implementing the various goals of the plan so that a budget can be developed

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Identify existing revenue streams to accomplish plan objectives, including:

• Taxes
• Assessments
• Special Tax districts

Consider alternative revenue sources, including:

• Land Development Fees
• Utility Fees
• Service Fees (other)

Other funding mechanisms, including:

• Capital Improvement Project Budgets
• Bonds
• Land Development Mitigation
• Grants

Engage the community to help sustain the urban forest to respond to climate change

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-2 Years, Ongoing 

Collaborate with regional and state agencies to develop climate change policies that support the urban forest

Identify tree canopy disparities

• Use tree planting efforts to address climate based impacts

Collaborate with neighborhoods to identify where trees will be most helpful

Create new or expand existing natural areas

Strategically plant trees to mitigate the effects of climate change

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years, Ongoing 

Align efforts with areas identified having higher risk to climate change hazards in the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan's vulnerability assessment

Plant trees to lessen the effects of urban heat islands

• Prioritize plantings in communities with lower incomes and/or high populations of vulnerable people (e.g., elderly, blacks, indigenous, or other people of color)

Plant trees adjacent to sources of air pollution (e.g., freeways)

Explore the use of trees to reduce flooding events (e.g., decrease the volume of stormwater runoff) and provide habitat

Explore funding opportunities through public health initiatives

Maintain or increase tree canopy cover in the community

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High| Timeframe: 5-10 Years, Ongoing 

Preserve and protect existing tree canopy

Plant trees to offset the loss of mature trees as they decline and are removed or are impacted by weather events

Maximize carbon sequestering and storage benefits

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: Medium | Timeframe: 5-10 Years, Ongoing 

Retain trees as long as feasible

Develop an urban wood utilization program

Explore carbon markets

Track city tree carbon storage and sequestration (e.g., through iTree tools)

Reduce the impact of stressors on the urban forest

Resource Need: $$-$$$ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years, Ongoing 

Update the City tree inventory

Achieve the goals and objectives of the UFMP

Monitor species performance

• Conduct a resource analysis every 5 to 10 years

Adequately fund urban forestry programs

• Provide staff to meet daily workloads
• Acquire necessary equipment and vehicles

Follow integrated pest management principles

Prepare for wildfire

• Develop fire management plans for open space/channels that border community

Build drought tolerance

• Select species that require less water
• Plant trees in sites with established irrigation wherever possible

Enhance the composition and structure of the urban forest

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years, Ongoing 

Diversify the species composition of the urban forest

Strive for an ideal aged distribution to ensure that a sufficient number of trees are planted every year to offset establishment and age-related mortality as older trees decline

Adapt species selection to respond to climate change

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years, Ongoing 

Consider climate ready species

Replace trees that are no longer performing well with species that are better adapted to projected climatic conditions

Strive for 100% stocking level in the urban forest

Integrate urban forestry into climate planning and policy

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years, Ongoing 

Promote the benefits of trees for mitigating the effects of climate change

• Prioritize planting trees to mitigate urban heat islands and manage stormwater

Communicate and collaborate to address the urban forest climate vulnerabilities

Consider trees as essential infrastructure

Resource Need: $ | Current Priority: High | Timeframe: 1-5 Years, Ongoing 

Consider future impacts of trees

• Provide adequate space for future growth of trees
• Select tree species and planting sites with consideration for overhead and underground utilities

Use structural pruning to mitigate conflicts with infrastructure and avoid premature removal