Goal 1: Improve Canopy Quality
Improve quality and safety of the urban forest to ensure sustainability.
Tallahassee’s urban forest is made up of a preponderance of short lived, weak wooded species such as carolina laurelcherry, water oak, laurel oak, and camphor tree, an invasive species. Just these species alone make up a combined 38% of our urban forest. Additionally, these types of trees have very low wind resistance, making our urban forest vulnerable to storms. Increasing the populations of long lived, high value urban species such as live oak and southern magnolia will improve the quality of our urban forest. Diversity of species is very important for overall urban forest health, and while increasing populations of desirable trees we should ensure that no one species makes up more than 10% of the total tree population.
(Credit: University of Florida IFAS Hurricane Recovery Research.)
Similarly, looking at age diversity and condition of trees we see the results of an urban forest with a high proportion of short lived species prone to damage. Young tree population is high, pointing to strong planting programs but also lots of regeneration of species that grow from seed easily. But other categories are under recommended standard. Many of our most common tree types simply don’t live that long, and once they achieve mature size they are typically in decline due to structural issues and decay.
| Tree Condition |
% of Public Trees |
| Good |
3% |
| Fair |
78% |
| Poor |
13% |
| Dead/dying |
4% |
| Unknown |
2% |
| Diameter |
% of Public Trees |
Industry Standard |
| 0" - 8" Young |
67% |
40% |
| 9" - 17" Established |
20% |
30% |
| 18" - 24" Maturing |
7% |
20% |
| Over 24" Mature |
5% |
10% |
Implementation
Complete an Inventory of Public Trees and Transition to Proactive Management
Tree inventories provide valuable information that tree managers can use to plan and budget for maintenance and ensure that planting programs support a diverse and resilient urban forest. The City’s Community Beautification Division is in the process of completing a full public tree inventory (see map image for completed areas).
- Approximately 20,000 trees collected.
- 2020 Pro-active maintenance recommendations completed.
- 2021 Pro-active maintenance recommendations currently under evaluation.
- Top five species in areas collected (not representative of entire population): Crepe Myrtle (17%), Live Oak (15%), Water Oak (14%), Sabal Palm (7%), Slash Pine (5%).
Next Steps
- Secure funding and plan next phase of inventory.
- Continue to expand data analysis to include new data.
Evaluate and Update Tree Preservation and Planting Regulations
Tree Preservation and Planting Regulations are found in Chapter 5 - Environmental Management of the Land Development Code. These regulations should support the goals of the Urban Forest Master Plan, and several efforts are under way to determine the appropriate revisions.
- Tree Matrix: A panel of experts including local Landscape Architects, Horticulturists from local Extension offices, and leaders in the nursery industry met with City forestry and arboricultural staff from Planning, Growth Management, Parks, Community Beautification, Electric Utilities and Public Infrastructure to review and expand recommended tree species, resulting in the creation of a “Tree Matrix” describing allowable species for various uses to ensure planting of “the right tree in the right place.”
- Right Tree Right Place: Planning appropriate space for trees in an urban environment is an ongoing process. Pro-active solutions to minimize conflict between trees and hardscape are in a constant state of improvement. Solutions include using root barriers, alternative pavement materials and design guidelines for spaces that accommodate trees and different uses.
- Development Code Analysis: An analysis of past development projects is in progress to evaluate the effectiveness of existing development regulations. This includes determining pre and post-development tree canopy coverage, diversity, wind resistance, and other factors.
In progress
Next Steps
- Revise unclear definitions.
- Chapter 5 uses a “credit and debit” system for tree preservation and removal. Review this system to ensure that long lived, storm resilient, high value tree species are incentivized for preservation and planting during development.
- Apply findings from Development Code Analysis and incorporate credit/debit revisions.
Address the Challenge of Tree Availability at Local Nurseries
During development of the UFMP, a commonly stated challenge was the lack of availability of a wide range of native species at local nurseries. In order to support a healthy, diverse urban forest, a wide variety of species needs to be available to purchase, both in retail and commercially for large planting projects.
- Representatives from the nursery industry and local nurseries were included in the creation of the Tree Matrix.
- City departments routinely contract grow with local nurseries in order to ensure quantities of hard to obtain native pants for public planting projects and programs.
Next Steps
- Continue to include local nurseries when reviewing and revising the credit and debit system. Creating incentives for planting diverse native species will increase market demand for more species.
- Work with nursery managers to “market” storm resilient native species.
Goal 2: Maintain Canopy Levels
Maintain an extensive tree canopy in balance with growth and and change.
Improvements to the quality of our canopy are necessary in order to continue to enjoy extensive tree canopy into the future, however, even with high populations of less desirable species it is important to emphasize that a dense tree canopy is still a major asset. While we put a focus on recomposition, we should continue to prioritize maintaining a high level of canopy through strong planting programs and development regulations that focus on the right kinds of trees, properly planted.
Implementation
Adopt Urban Forest Master Plan and Incorporate into Community Goals
The Urban Forest Master Plan was adopted by City Commission on December 5, 2018.
Next Steps
Encourage Voluntary Tree Planting and Tree Planting on Private Property
The quantity and quality of the City’s tree canopy is extremely dependent on the existence, composition, and longevity of trees on private property, which makes up 70% of Tallahassee’s tree canopy. Providing opportunities for property owners to plant trees and to engage with tree care professionals is very important for the health and sustainability of our urban forest.
- Arbor Day 2021: Approximately 100 volunteers helped plant over 1000 native trees in Governor’s Square Park. This was an effort to connect wooded areas and reduce the need for mowing turf grass.
- Planning staff has resources to assist Homeowners Associations and private property owners with planning tree planting projects in the way that best fits location needs. Staff is happy to attend or host your meeting or event and provide consultation and training. Please contact us at planning@talgov.com or 850-891-6400!
- Adopt a Tree Program: Over 300 trees planted on residential property in 2021.
Next Steps
- Plan tree species for 2022 Adopt-A-Tree program prioritizing native, wind resistant, and long-lived species.
Tree Care and Planting in the Public Realm
Trees and landscape are an important part of almost every public project that the city implements. New parks, sidewalks, and roads all have a tree preservation and planting component, and these projects are major opportunities to improve our urban forest through the planting of long-lived, wind resistant native tree species.
- Memorial Tree Program: 23 new memorial trees planted.
- Tree care services in City Parks totaled $33,000.
- FAMU Way Phase 3 completed: Like the first two phases of this project, the final phase of FAMU Way included extensive landscaping, including the planting of over 150 native trees. This area was identified as a high priority area for increasing canopy coverage, and this project delivered. The final phase increased canopy coverage by over 65,000 sq.ft. and added trees species that increased the wind resistance and longevity of the urban forest.
- Invasive Species removal in Brinkley Glen, Waverly Park, and AJ Henry Park.
- Over 70 trees planted through the Friends of our Parks program.
Next Steps
Goal 3: Engage the Larger Community
Engage and partner with the larger community on urban forestry efforts.
Seventy percent of Tallahassee’s urban forest is on private property, so the City cannot do this alone. It is crucial that our community recognizes the value of trees and takes action to plant, preserve, and manage trees to support the community goals.
Implementation
Continue to meet with Stakeholder Team
The care and improvement of our urban forest depends on an entire community of professionals and advocates. The Stakeholder team that was established during the development of the plan will continue to work together on plan implementation and outreach to the community.
- Team meetings with city forestry and arboricultural staff and stakeholders including local landscape architects, nursery industry, local consulting arborists, and Homeowners Associations.
- Training opportunities held for invasive species control in partnership with UF/IFAS at Jack McLean Park and Indian Head HOA.
Outreach, Education, and Public Engagement
- Talgov.com/tallytrees was created as the “hub” for information about Tallahassee’s urban forest. This website will continue to be updated and expanded based on plan implementation and community feedback.
- Urban Forestry at Home: Learn what you can do in your own yard to improve the health of your trees and landscapes and contribute to the overall health of our urban forest.
- Volunteers planted over 150 tree seedlings in Lafayette Heritage Trail Park for a reforestation project.
- Partnership with the Apalachee Audubon Society to remove over 90% of woody invasive species at Lake Elberta Park.
- Met with several Homeowner’s Association groups to speak specifically about the urban forest in their neighborhoods and how residents can be engaged to improve and maintain their trees.
Next Steps
- Utilize social media for tree care education for homeowners.
- Continue to identify opportunities for partnerships and outreach.
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our urban forest! Staff would be happy to attend your organization or HOA meeting to present information and answer questions. Email us at Planning@talgov.com.
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