Addressed in This Presentation Tree Montgomery: A Free 1. Why are - PDF document

6/1/2016 Addressed in This Presentation Tree Montgomery: A Free 1. Why are trees important? 2. What is the Tree Canopy Law? Shade Tree Planting Program 3. Why was the Tree Montgomery program created? How can property owners sign up? 4. Evan Keto 5. Where on a property can the trees be planted? Program Manager I Department of Environmental Protection 6. What kinds of trees are offered? Montgomery County Government What happens after the location and species are chosen? 7. Montgomery County Master Gardeners Meeting 8. How are the trees planted and cared for? June 2, 2016 9. What other tree planting programs are available? Benefits of Trees and the Urban Forest Trees and forests are essential for livable communities and our well- being. Photo courtesy of Bob Haight, USFS NRS 4 Benefits of Trees Itree  Increased property values  Reduced energy use  Improved water quality  Improved air quality  Improved health  Reduced crime 1

6/1/2016 Bigger is better! What is Tree Canopy? Tree Canopy is the area covered by the crown of one or more trees. 10 What is Tree Canopy? Changes in Development We measure tree canopy, or canopy coverage, from the top down. Canopy goals often include the percentage of area covered by tree canopy. Redeveloped in 2011; Lots are 6,100 – 7,200 sq. ft. 11 12 2

6/1/2016 Changes in Development Tree Canopy Law The Tree Canopy Law is intended to encourage the protection of trees during development activity AND to provide funds to replace some of the tree canopy lost as a result of development. Redevelopment from 2002 to 2011 in red, 2012 to 2016 in blue. 13 Tree Canopy Law and the Limit of Disturbance When does the Tree Canopy Law apply? The Limit of  Applies to any activity requiring a sediment Disturbance (LOD) is the outside edge control permit from Montgomery County: of the area where  New primary dwelling or non-residential building; activity can occur.  5,000 square feet or more of ground disturbance; or  100 cubic yards or more of earth movement. Disturbance or  The cutting of 5,000 square feet or more of canopy activity cannot is considered ground disturbance occur outside of the  Most municipalities are not subject to this new LOD. law. 15 Tree Canopy Law and the Limit of Disturbance Activities not covered by the Tree Canopy Law The area within the LOD  Exemptions include: Limit of determines the number of Disturbance shade trees to be planted  Activity subject to Article II of the Forest Conservation on the property. Fees can Law be paid instead of planting  Any activity conducted by the County Parks Department for any reason.  Most public utility activities related to construction of new transmission or distribution lines As such, development  The Law does NOT apply when a sediment control activity contributes all of permit is not required: the funds in an account  Most agricultural activity dedicated to planting  Most activity by Pepco, WSSC, or other utilities shade trees. 18 3

6/1/2016 How does it work? Mitigation and the Tree Canopy Law Shade Fee  Sediment control permit application includes area of LOD Square Footage Trees In-Lieu LOD 0 to 6,000 3 $750  The area of the LOD is used to determine the number 6,001 to 8,000 6 $1,500 of trees that must be planted or fee in-lieu that must 8,001 to 12,000 9 $2,250 be paid  Review and enforcement is through the existing 12,001 to 14,000 12 $3,000 processes for sediment control permits 14,001 to 40,000 15 $3,750  For trees planted, applicant identifies minimum 400  If the area in the LOD exceeds 40,000 square feet, the number of shade sq. ft. planting area for each tree on the sediment trees required is prorated using the ratio of 15 trees per 40,000 sq. ft.  Each tree requires at least 400 sq. ft. of open surface area control permit  Trees may be planted anywhere on the subject property  For trees not planted, fee in-lieu funds are collected  Open surface area on an adjacent County ROW may be included if the and deposited in Tree Canopy Conservation Account tree is on the affected property so that its stem will not grow into the ROW 19 20 Tree Canopy Conservation Account  Funds must only be used to plant and maintain shade trees  Funds must not revert to the General Fund  Funds must not be used to hire additional County staff  Funds must not supplant funds otherwise appropriated to plant and maintain shade trees and enhance tree canopy  Shade trees native to the Piedmont area of the County should be used, if feasible  Planting of trees must occur in the subwatershed where the project is located, if feasible; otherwise trees may be planted anywhere in the County  For plantings, the highest priority must be given to areas of the County with relatively low tree canopy coverage 21 Implementation Tree Montgomery  Tree Montgomery is a  The Department of Permitting Services is new planting program responsible for implementation and enforcement funded through the Tree of the Tree Canopy Law. Canopy Law.  It provides shade trees,  The Department of Environmental Protection is installed with after care – responsible for planting programs and outreach FOR FREE. campaigns to increase the number of trees planted and generally raise the awareness of the benefits of trees and long-term care. 23 4

6/1/2016 Tree Montgomery Focus We focus on these three types of plantings in areas with little canopy and/or a great deal of disturbance. Single-family residences Multi-family communities Parking lots 25 Gaithersburg and Rockville Edited from map by Arkyan https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2927296 www.TreeMontgomery.org 5

6/1/2016 Site Visits  Depending on when you signed up and if you are in a focus area, we’ll email you to set up a site visit ( Trees@montgomerycountymd.gov )  Time blocks are usually 2 hours  30-40 minutes per visit, longer for larger properties  Together, species and locations for new shade trees are selected 6

6/1/2016 Priority Planting Locations Growing Zones  400 Square feet Near:  Parking lots and driveways  No impervious surface  Buildings  No septic easement or septic reserve  Playgrounds  At least 5 feet from  Air conditioners overhead utilities,  Wet spots underground utilities, or stormwater management  May include other trees and vegetation Growing Zone Shapes  At least 400 Square feet  At least 16 feet wide  Examples: rectangle 16’x25’, square 20’x20’, or circle 22.5’ across  Tree must be at least 5 feet from any boundary of the growing zone  A straight line can be drawn from the stem to any point on the growing zone boundary without going outside the growing zone Planting Within Growing Zones Feature Minimum Distance to Tree Edge of Growing Zone 5 feet Fences and Property Lines 5 feet Impervious surfaces 5 feet Underground Utilities and Stormwater 10 feet Management Systems Building Foundations 10 feet Other Tree Montgomery Trees 10 feet Overhead Utilities 15 feet 7

6/1/2016 Shade Trees  All trees will grow to at least 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide  Most are broadleaf deciduous trees  We plant trees that are native to Montgomery County as much as possible Characteristics To Consider Other Requested Characteristics  Soil texture and drainage  Nectar for pollinators  Sunlight  Fruit and insects for songbirds and wildlife  Mature size  Allergenicity of pollen  Growth rate  Tolerance of black walnut competition  Shape  Acorn attractiveness  Messiness  Stress tolerance  Aesthetics 8

6/1/2016 Northern Red Oak Willow Species Information Oak  37 different species planted so far  86% of trees planted have been native species  Oaks are the leading genus planted to date, followed by maples Red Maple White Oak Swamp Sugar Maple White Oak American Honeylocust Sycamore American Sweetgum American Beech 9

6/1/2016 Common Hackberry American Tulip Poplar Blackgum Linden 10

6/1/2016 Planting Specifications Procedures for establishing each shade tree include: • Contractor required to meet specifications above ANSI 300 standards for: • Species, root systems, containers, caliper, height, disease and pests, and shape, branching, etc. • Transporting and storing shade trees prior to installation • Installation including size of hole, watering, mulching, soil amendments, corrective pruning, etc. • All newly installed trees must have adequate deer protection • All inspections are completed by a tree expert and include: • At contractor yard prior to planting • Following installation • At end of warranty period Tree Size  Trees are 2- to 3- inches in caliper and more than 10 feet tall when installed.  Each will grow to more than 50 feet tall when mature. 64 Aftercare Warranties and Aftercare  Aftercare is provided for  Warranties are purchased for most trees for one or two years. During the warranty period, any tree not up to two years. thriving must be replaced. The planting contract  This includes watering includes detailed information to evaluate newly during the summer planted trees for thriving conditions. months, mulching, weeding, pruning, and adjustment of deer  Additional watering and aftercare visits can be protection. purchased separately and as needed. 11