Protecting, Sustaining, Advocacy
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Greetings NCUFC Members,
It has been four more weeks since I greeted you in our last newsletter and NC is finally starting to move towards reopening. Although we still don’t know what that is going to look like for the rest of the year, the Council continues to adapt to on-line education opportunities in lieu of our typical face to face workshops. We are moving forward with the agenda for The Great NC Tree Conference scheduled for September 17-18 in Durham. Hopefully, we will be back to normal by then and can move forward with the Conference as a large gathering. There are just so many things that remain up in the air, but I hope everyone who is reading this is doing well and staying healthy. I look forward to the day when we can get out and gather together again.
Jason Combs
Board Chair, NC Urban Forest Council
Division Vegetation Management Specialist, Duke Energy Progress, Inc.
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North Carolina
Urban Forest Council
P.O. Box 37416
Raleigh, NC 27627
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2020 Carolina Canopy Workshop Webinar Series
May 13th, May 27th, June 9th, June 23rd
9:00 - 10:15 am Eastern
Online webinars
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Urban Forest Connections Webinar Series
Hosted by USDA Forest Service
"Addressing Loss of Tree Cover in Urban Watersheds: The Importance of Local Codes and Policies"
May 13th
Online webinar
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Urban Wood Network Webinar Series
May 13th & June 10th
Online webinars
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Connie Parker at a recent tree giveaway event, sponsored by Arbor Day Foundation and Verizon. Also pictured: Dr. Jim Gregory, Chair of the Wilmington Tree Commission.
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MAY 2020 NCUFC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Connie Parker
Alliance for Cape Fear Trees
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Connie Parker has been volunteer chair and unofficial executive director of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees for over four years. The Alliance is a program under the non-profit Renaissance Wilmington Foundation. Her involvement started when she was an appointed member of the Wilmington Tree Commission. During a planning session, members felt that there was a need for an organization that could do more than the Commission’s defined role. Being a retired executive director of two non-profits, Connie seemed to fall into the leadership position to create what became the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees.
The Alliance most often participates in the coordination of tree planting projects on the streets of the City of Wilmington and in the public parks. With 60 to 90 citizens showing up regularly for tree plantings and giveaways, Connie and other event organizers want to involve residents of the neighborhood, so they ask them if they want a tree in front of their house, invite them to participate, and provide information on how to identify problems and contact help.
Connie became a member of the NCUFC about four years ago, and mentions that she appreciates the cooperation when resources are needed and the guidance when applying for the Legacy Tree Fund grant to help recover after Hurricane Florence. Her tip for others working with, or leading, non-profits is to find and embrace partner organizations. Connie's favorite tree is the Longleaf Pine for their long needles, the huge pine cones, the graceful branches, and the tall strength they provide to the canopy.
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TREE CONFLICTS
Let’s face it, trees need space. If they don’t have it, they can make it given the chance. In the urban environment, this is commonly seen in the form of lifted sidewalks, bulging curb lines, and destroyed asphalt. Tree roots will find a path to get to the water, air, and nutrients the tree needs. Tree trunks and branches are often just as aggressive. How many times have we seen fences, utility wires, retaining walls, and even abandoned vehicles seemingly eaten by trees? “Feed me, Seymour!”
Before we plant a tree, we have to ask ourselves one question: Is there enough space? But that one question encompasses so many other questions. Do we have enough space underground? Overhead? Sideways, slantways, longways, backways? Sidewalks, streets, buildings, retaining walls? Powerlines, water, sewer, gas? Depending on the available space, what species is appropriate? Can we plant a mighty oak, or just a small understory tree? It can certainly seem overwhelming!
When we need to plant a tree but there are conflicts, it just takes a little more planning. There are tree species and cultivars that can fit nicely into most situations. We can use small and/or columnar trees in more confined areas. If we are working with new construction, sometimes the hardscape or utility that would cause conflict can be relocated to make room for the tree. In dealing with conflict-related damage from mature trees, sometimes non-traditional construction methods are required to fix the issue and save the tree.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to tree conflicts. However, with a little planning and some creative thinking, we can very often prevent conflict before it happens or correct it after the fact.
Aaron Reese
Forest Management Supervisor
City of Wilmington
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Last chance to submit your project proposal for our Legacy Tree Fund Grant! The application and instructions are available
here...
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We are excited to announce our Carolina Canopy Webinar Series, providing you with new opportunities to learn about urban tree management practices and allowing you to stay involved with the industry through remote learning opportunities.
You can visit our event registration page
here
for more information or to sign up to attend any of these webinars (continuing education credits will be available):
Strategies for Effective Tree Ordinances
May 13, 2020
Speakers: Paul Ries,Ph.D., Insightful Nature and Chad Meadows, AICP, CodeWright Planners
The Operational Aspects of Tree Protection Ordinances
May 27, 2020
Speaker: Ed Macie, US Forest Service (Retired)
Heat Related Illnesses & the Hidden Dangers
June 9, 2020
Speaker: Matt Losey, Bartlett Tree Experts
Spotted Lanternfly: A Threat to NC Landscapes
June 23, 2020
Speaker: Whitney Swink, NCDA Plant Industry Division
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Recorded Carolina Canopy 2020 Webinars Now Available
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If you missed one of our previous webinars, you can now register to watch the recorded versions. Continuing education credit is available for ISA, NC Landscape Contractor, and NC Landscape Architect (upon successful completion of an online quiz).
Video RecordingCarolina Canopy Webinar #1: Trees & Stormwater
Carolina Canopy Webinar #2: Urban Tree Design in the Face of Climate Change
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