Jefferson City conducting inventory, assessment of its trees

Jefferson City is planning to conduct a comprehensive inventory and assessment of nearly 1,500 trees on public streets and parks.

City officials said the project is part of ongoing efforts within the city to better manage trees, minimize the effects of future storm damage and assure the community has a healthy, sustainable urban forest.

An International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist from the urban forestry consulting company is in the city to inspect and map all the public trees. The arborist will be assessing the condition and stability of each tree, looking for any damaged or dead material to be removed, and evaluating any signs of decay or disease.

Davey Resource Group, a division of The Davey Tree Expert Company, was selected by the city after officials received a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation T.R.I.M. grant program for $10,000. The city must provide a match for a portion of the value of the inventory.

“Reducing risk is a primary objective in completing these assessments,” said Sam Heywood, Davey’s certified arborist who is inventorying the trees in Jefferson City. “We will identify any pruning, removals or planting needs in addition to providing detailed computer mapping of all the trees to aid the city in the future management of their urban forest resources.”

Davey’s certified arborists will use hand-held computers loaded with information and aerial photographs from an existing Geographic Information System (GIS) to mark the location and record specific details of each of the trees.

After the field work is complete, the city will have its inventory data uploaded into the city’s GIS system.

“We look forward to receiving this update to our professional data,” said Ray Wallace, city forester. “The plan is to prioritize tree maintenance and use this information to put together a plan for the overall improvement of the city’s urban forest management program.

“In addition to the benefit of immediate safety risk reduction, this comprehensive inventory of our public trees will provide information to maximize the long-term benefits of the urban forest for increasing the quality of life in our community,” Wallace added. “Trees are vital in absorbing air pollution, reducing stormwater problems, and providing shade and energy conservation, just to mention a few of the roles they play and important benefits they provide to our city.”

For more information about the project, contact Wallace at 634-6509.