Posted in urban forestry program, tagged Society of Municipal Arborists on January 23, 2015| Leave a Comment »
City Trees magazine is just one benefit of membership in the Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA). Go to http://www.urban-forestry.com to learn more about what membership in SMA can do for you!
This edition includes an article by New York City’s City Forester David Moore called “A New Method for Streamlining Tree Selection for NYC” that all city foresters are likely to find interesting.
Posted in Certified Arborists, Pests/Diseases, urban forestry program, tagged Society of Municipal Arborists on April 10, 2014| Leave a Comment »
SMA’s 2014 conference in Charlotte, November 3rd & 4th, promises to be the best ever. Once again, we are joining up with the Partners In Community Forestry conference to share venues and activities. We’ll have a great lineup of speakers and, of course, some great pre-conference workshops.
You’ll surely want to be a part of the 50th anniversary celebration, so mark your calendar now and stay tuned for further details.
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS NOW OPEN
Pre-conference workshops will be held on Monday, November 4, 2014 from noon till 4 pm. The main conference will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2014. This year’s theme is “Milestones in Urban Forestry – 50 Years of Growth”, and will focus on the evolving role of the municipal arborist/urban forester. Visit this page for full proposal requirements on the SMA website.
LIVECAST OF PITTSBURGH CONFERENCE AND Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) WORKSHOP AVAILABLE ONLINE
Want More of Your Staff to Share in the 2013 Conference Experience? Relive the highlights from the 49th Annual SMA Conference and Trade Show by purchasing a virtual livecast. This is a great tool to use as a platform for sharing best practices in urban forest partnership, planning and management, in addition to offering models of sustainability and innovation across all groups who serve community trees.
• Cost: $199
• Access the entire presentation online through October, 2014
• Includes the Emerald Ash Borer Workshop and
Day 1 of the Partners in Community Forestry Conference
• Earn 12 CEUs
• Watch any time for up to one year
WELCOME THE NEWEST SMA ACCREDITED URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM
THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS
SMA has developed a peer-reviewed program that formally recognizes urban and community forestry programs for implementing excellent and comprehensive management practices. Accreditation is structured to build on the Arbor Day Foundation’s successful Tree City USA designation by incorporating additional professional standards deemed important by SMA for managing municipal trees. It also applies to programs internationally, not just in the United States. SMA Accreditation sets a high bar, and offers the highest recognition for notable accomplishments.
What are the benefits of becoming accredited?
• Use of the SMA Accreditation logo and promotional items, which demonstrates the quality of your program and recognition by your professional peers.
• Develops pride among citizens in your community for the forestry program, and demonstrates how tax dollars are yielding measurable results.
• Offers elected officials a public relations opportunity, and something to regularly boast about.
• Recognizes the work of your staff, and creates a source of pride.
• Gives your program a target for improving operations and upholding professionalism.
Get all the details on SMA accreditation and apply.
Posted in Pests/Diseases, tagged emerald ash borer, Georgia, Georgia Forestry Commission, Society of Municipal Arborists on November 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Emerald ash borer
Tree service companies will receive information regarding regulations in DeKalb and Fulton counties where EAB was detected.
There are 9 items a community should take into consideration with regard to EAB.
1. Do an inventory ASAP to determine if you have ash trees in your community.
2. Discuss survey and detection methods to be utilized. Branch sampling should occur before signs and symptoms are obvious.
3. Discuss trees to be treated and removed.
4. Consider treatment options and timings. Only healthy trees should be treated.
5. Consider wood utilization and waste disposal and protocols in place.
6. Develop a tentative EAB budget. If trees are infested, mortality is worst after seven years and the trees will need to be removed.
7. Discuss city policy for trees on private property.
8. Consider education and media outreach.
9. Plan fore tree replacement and planning.
The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) has an EAB toolbox and a position paper. The SMA believes that every community that includes ash trees as a component of its urban forest should adopt an EAB management plan.
Information on the TreeAzin Systemic Insecticide is available through BioForest Technologies Inc. This treatment option is registered for organic use in the U.S. and has very little effect on the environment.
EAB is always worse than it appears. Initiate treatment early to maximize success. Be proactive.
Posted in urban forestry program, tagged Georgia, live oak, Savannah, Society of Municipal Arborists, tree benefits, urban forestry on January 30, 2013| 2 Comments »
Savannah, GA
The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA), comprised of 1400 urban forestry professionals worldwide, has chosen Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) as its 2013 Urban Tree of the Year. The selection must be adaptable to a variety of harsh growing conditions and have strong ornamental traits. The Tree of the Year program has been running for 17 years, and past honorees include Accolade elm (2012) goldenraintree (2011), redbud (2010), Chinkapin oak (2009), black tupelo (2008), baldcypress (2007), and Kentucky coffeetree (2006).
Southern live oak is a decurrent tree with low, arching, wide-spreading branches. Depending on climate, its ultimate height ranges from 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 m) and width ranges from 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 m) or more. It is reliably hardy to Zone 7b. This state tree of Georgia is native to U.S. coastal regions from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas, but it can be planted effectively in coastal areas all the way up to Washington State.
Southern live oak’s suitability for urban use comes from its salt tolerance, ability to tolerate both dry soils and seasonally wet ones, tolerance of soils both acidic and alkaline, ability to grow in part shade, wind resistance, and lack of major pests.
Steve Shurtz, urban forestry & landscape manager for the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana says, “Their low green canopies shield us from hurricane winds. Their strength and durability often keep them alive through the most egregious construction abuse. Their ecological value is as enormous as their size, and their cultural value is indescribably deep and wide, from the lumber in Cajun cabins to the massive ribs of Old Ironsides.”
Michael Pavlis, tree maintenance supervisor for the City of Savannah, Georgia says, “Aside from the environmental benefits, live oaks can compartmentalize very well when injured, so they don’t decay rapidly like other trees. Most of the deadwood is strong and secure, making them safer compared to other trees with similar diameters of deadwood.”
The SMA recognizes the majestic Southern live oak for its service to urban forests and encourages its use when matched appropriately to site and as part of a diverse urban tree inventory.
Savannah street
Posted in tree planting, tagged Society of Municipal Arborists, trees, urban forestry on April 5, 2012| 2 Comments »
The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA), comprised of 1400 urban forestry professionals worldwide, has chosen Accolade elm (Ulmus ‘Morton’) as its 2012 Urban Tree of the Year. The selection must be adaptable to a variety of harsh growing conditions and have strong ornamental traits. The Tree of the Year program has been running for 17 years, and past honorees include goldenraintree (2011), redbud (2010), Chinkapin oak (2009), black tupelo (2008), baldcypress (2007), and Kentucky coffeetree (2006).
Accolade elm is hardy to USDA Zone 4 and can be expected to reach 40 to 60 feet (12.2 to 18.3 m) in height and 35 to 40 feet (10.7 to 12.2 m) in spread. It is praised by city forestry professionals for its toughness and beauty. Cornell Urban Horticulture Institute Director Nina Bassuk says,
Accolade is one of the most vigorously growing trees we have ever planted in Ithaca, New York. When young, Accolade is somewhat gangly with numerous limbs growing up and out, but not long ago, I saw the original mature Accolade at the Morton Arboretum and it was spectacular, reminiscent of the tall arched form of the American elm. It also has handsome dark green summer color and reasonably good yellow fall color.
Accolade and other hybrid elms like Danada Charm (Ulmus ‘Morton Red Tip’) have become deservedly popular. They are resistant to Dutch Elm Disease and reportedly resistant to elm yellows as well. They are easy to plant bare root and have a large, highly branched root system. Like other elms, they are highly tolerant of alkaline soil and wet or dry soil conditions. The only danger is of over-planting as their ease of transplanting and vigorous growth in the face of difficult conditions makes them the default tree for tough spots.
The SMA recognizes Accolade elm for its service to urban forests and encourages its use when matched appropriately to site and as part of a diverse urban tree inventory.
Press Release Contact: Michelle Sutton, City Trees Editor: citytreeseditor@gmail.com
Posted in Certified Arborists, tagged education, Society of Municipal Arborists on December 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The Society of Municipal Arborists’ (SMA) Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) is fast approaching, but there’s still time to support this unique annual training experience by encouraging urban forestry professionals in your area to attend. We’d like to encourage each state U&CF coordinator and program manager to consider assisting their agency colleagues, local urban forestry professionals and non-profits to attend February 19-24, 2012, at Lied Lodge and Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, Nebraska. As many of you know, MFI is an intense five day training program designed to help urban forestry professionals and advocates advance their programs and better educate their own constituencies about the important roles that trees play in the economic and physical health of communities across North America. Take advantage of the $200 discount for SMA members, including those who join SMA today! Learn more and register today at http://www.urban-forestry.com.
Posted in Certified Arborists, urban forestry program, tagged Georgia Arborist Association, green jobs, Society of Municipal Arborists, urban forestry on December 16, 2010| Leave a Comment »
The Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) is an innovative, high-level training opportunity focusing professionals on the leadership and managerial aspects of urban forestry. This week-long intensive educational program delivers a challenging opportunity to grow a more successful community tree program. Master leadership and management tools including program administration, coalition building, strategic thinking, program planning, and public relations by investing a week in your personal growth and development. Sign up now for MFI 2011, being held February 20-25, 2011 in Nebraska City, NE.
The Institute curriculum was developed by a team of urban forestry professionals and educators with dozens of years experience in leading urban forestry programs at the local, state, federal, and non-profit levels. There are four major components of the MFI curriculum: Developing A Leadership Approach To Your Position, Thinking and Planning Strategically to Advance Urban Forestry Programs, Working Effectively with Boards, Coalitions, and Non-Profit Organizations, and Managing the Relationship Between People and Trees. The curriculum is presented in a variety of formats including lectures, multi-media presentations, panel discussions, group exercises, and real-life scenarios.
The MFI 2011 is a program of the Society of Municipal Arborists, and is organized in cooperation with other groups such as the Arbor Day Foundation and the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program.
Required Institute Pre-Work
Part of the MFI experience involves mandatory readings and online discussions that will be held during January and early February, 2011. If you’re accepted into MFI 2011, you’ll need a valid email address and internet access from work or home. Plan on spending about 2 hours a week for 5 to 7 weeks on the Institute Pre-Work.
MFI Week Schedule
MFI is an intensive learning experience. You must be able to attend from 4 pm on Sunday until 1 pm on Friday. There are numerous breaks and a little free time, but the event involves a rather demanding and time-intensive schedule. Though there are sights to see in the area, plan to see them before or after, not during MFI. Your full attendance will be required at every session – partial attendance is not possible. Also, sorry but pets, spouses, and children or guests cannot be accommodated at MFI.
To apply for MFI 2011, visit www.urban-forestry.com. Registration closes December 15, 2010, or when full. If you have any questions, Contact the Society of Municipal Arborists at (706) 769-7412.
Posted in urban forestry program, tagged Society of Municipal Arborists on June 29, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Photo from Society of Municipal Arborists
The Society of Municipal Arborists has selected a Georgia native, the Eastern Redbud, as their urban tree of the year. Read more about why arborists love this tree.
Sustainable Community Forestry 