A Big Believer In Trees
One city’s commitment to climate change
By Jenny Willoughby
Photos: Northeast Iowa RC&D
Trees are the answer. You may have heard that and thought trees could be the answer, but there are so many other things that demand attention in parks. Utilities, fields, walking paths, playgrounds, and tree canopy all fight for a place in parks and open spaces. How do we decide which is most critical? Which should be in a park?
Most of the dedicated park land in the city of Frederick, Md., is unbuildable floodplain—land that cannot be used for much of anything else. Yet, from an environmental perspective, it is some of the most valuable land. The city is surrounded by rural farmland and generous open spaces that are blank slates when it comes to development, including the waterways running through them. Fifty feet on each side of the stream is for tree plantings to protect the banks from erosion. In some cases, the city has been able to complete stream restorations on the site as well. This addition of canopy and protected stream banks means improved water quality, healthier fisheries, and less sedimentation, but they can offer much more.
Trees are often afterthoughts on a plan, crammed into a corner of the property to fulfill a forest-conservation requirement or placed in regular formation on the edges of a path. Per square foot, trees provide the most inexpensive option to clean the air and water, save energy, and provide habitat and food. What if trees were considered a utility, critical infrastructure for parks, homes, and streets?
A Tight Squeeze
The city’s 2016 Tree Canopy Assessment showed only 20 percent canopy coverage. Most of the current coverage is on private land, where most of the opportunity for future planting exists as well. The city’s 73 parks may seem like ideal places for immense forests, but the need for playing fields, playgrounds, and paths can make the trees impractical. Many of the passive park spaces are now being considered for tree planting, some with food forests so residents can pick fruit while walking along the shared-use path. Frederick also is working with private landowners and homeowner associations to increase canopy in common spaces and private parks.
According to a temperature study conducted with 50 stationary temperature sensors during August 2019, the city experiences a daytime heat island. A heat island is an urban area that experiences warmer temperatures than its rural surroundings. Impervious surfaces are a major reason for urban heat islands, and as climate shifts continue, more cities are likely to see the same effects. Increased temperatures can impact the older population and people with existing health issues. The positive news is that green spaces, like areas with more trees, show a positive impact on mental health and help reduce air pollution and overall temperatures. Trees really can have a significant, positive impact on overall health.
Guidance And Encouragement
Several years ago, the city launched Tree Frederick, a program to help homeowners plant trees in their own landscapes. Each year, operational funds are set aside to provide a 50/50 cost share with homeowners for new trees. In winter, the city provides a list of native trees and shrubs from a local nursery, and homeowners pre-order and pre-purchase the plants. Pick-up is scheduled in early spring—the prime time for planting. The containerized trees offer easy transportation, handling, and planting. In addition, containerized trees are less expensive and can have less transplant shock, meaning they can establish as quickly as ball and burlap trees.
The city also provides a how-to guide on its website, covering everything from selecting a species to planting and maintaining new trees. This helps address the lack of understanding and fear from homeowners and HOAs in selecting the proper trees. Frederick also offers free tree trainings in parks to encourage planting on private land. By having the native species along the streams and pathways highlighted, homeowners are encouraged to plant those species and to push for planting in neighborhood common areas. Over time, the tree trainings have led to an annual bicycle tree tour, a self-guided Trees of Frederick Walking Tour developed by the Tourism Council, and additional tree trainings. Each recognition of the value of trees leads to increased stewardship and interest in the city’s tree canopy.
The city is also fortunate to have several “Friends of Parks” groups that focus on specific parks and open spaces. Waterford Park, a lesser-known space in Frederick, has a significant volunteer force helping to plant and maintain trees, remove invasive species, raise funds for benches and other features, and focus on education. Identification blocks installed by park volunteers can be found at the base of many trees. Most city-led tree trainings occur in this park for this reason. Residents can return to the park to see how the trees grow in all seasons and can better make decisions for their own spaces. It has become an excellent resource and guide for residents.
Unlimited Return On Investment
All of these programs and initiatives operate with limited resources. The cost of Tree Frederick, Friends of Parks, and other tree-canopy enhancement efforts are predominantly through staff time. Tree Frederick has an annual budget of $5,000 for matching with homeowners, with hopes to increase as the program grows. Friends of Parks groups often raise their own funds or receive grants to pay for new trees and maintenance equipment; however, the city does provide some plant material, mulch, and equipment if needed. Coordinating the various programs and groups is a shared duty among the sustainability and parks and recreation departments. Each department has arborists who are able to provide technical assistance, but the majority of trainings and volunteer coordination belongs to the sustainability department, while the management of park spaces falls to the parks and recreation department. The two departments work collaboratively to complete projects.
As climate change begins shifting precipitation and temperature patterns, parks with tree canopies will become a critical component for buffering the effects of it, not only for providing large planting spaces, but also for the overall health of residents.
Jenny Willoughby is the Sustainability Manager for the city of Frederick, Md. Reach her at jwilloughby@cityoffrederickmd.gov.
Resources
Understand your community: https://toolkit.climate.gov/tool/urban-tree-canopy-assessment
Tourism of Frederick County Walking Tour: https://www.visitfrederick.org/things-to-do/tours/self-guided-tour/trees-of-frederick/
City of Frederick 2019 Air Temperature Study: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18296/City-of-Frederick-2019-Air-Temperature-Study
Tree Frederick Guide: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9847/Tree-Frederick-Guide?bidId=
City of Frederick 2016 Tree Canopy Assessment: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9362/Tree-Canopy-Report-City-of-Frederick-2016?bidId=