Davey Tree Flipbooks

The Value of Trees Several years ago, Davey Tree partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, National Arbor Day Foundation, International Society of Arboriculture and others to develop i-Tree: a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite that provides urban and community forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. The suite has a variety of programs, including three tools: i-Tree Eco is a software application designed to use field data to quantify urban forest structure, environmental effects and value to communities. i-Tree Landscape is a web-based mapping tool to explore tree canopy, land cover and demographic information to understand who benefits from trees in your selected location and prioritize management and planting needs. i-Tree Design is an easy-to-use web application that allows anyone to make a simple estimation of the benefits provided by individual trees. Users will receive an understanding of tree benefits related to greenhouse gas mitigation, air quality improvements, storm water interception and energy effects. Researchers at The Ohio State University incorporated i-Tree into an analysis of Columbus, Ohio's trees. They found that the city's 90,696 trees provided an annual value of $8.6 million in benefits. These benefits include slowing rainwater and preventing storm runoff, providing shade to lower the urban heat island effect and reducing public health issues through filtering pollutants. But i-Tree does not only have academic applications. By selecting the right type of tree and placing that tree in the correct location, cities can maximize a tree's benefits while increasing its health. In 2015, Pat Covey, president and chief operating officer for Davey Tree, and Tom Tidwell, chief of the U.S. Forest Service, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), strengthening coordination and collaboration to enable a better understanding of urban and community forest structure and the ecosystem services they provide. Through the MOU, which commemorates 10 years of partnership, the two organizations aim to: Continue cooperating to develop, maintain, disseminate and support the i-Tree suite of assessment tools Expand the geographic focus of i-Tree to include all landscapes, both public and private Contribute to a collaborative discussion that aims to improve the health of our urban forests and forests as a whole More effectively deliver a growing scientific-based body of knowledge of trees and ecosystem services to a broader, more diverse set of stakeholders and geographies Explore how mutually beneficial research and development can be better utilized in traditional forest management and managing emerging threats, such as climate change, invasive pests and increasing wildfire size and severity Engage youth and educators in the use of i-Tree to learn about forest dynamics, ecosystem services and their value, the wonder of nature, the importance of stewardship and encourage a greater appreciation for the natural environment within our next generation of conservation leaders 5

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