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Wisconsin street tree assessment, 2002-2003

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A pilot study to assess the structure, function, and health of Wisconsin’s street trees was initiated in 2002. Almost 900 plots were established in Wisconsin’s urban areas. Table 1 provides an overview of plot-level data, population estimates, and a calculated monetary value for Wisconsin’s street trees. Wisconsin has mid-sized street trees, dominated by Norway maple (30 percent), green ash (15 percent), honey locust (8 percent), and littleleaf linden (7 percent). Field assessments of crown dieback indicated robust and healthy trees in 2002. Damage was observed on only 16 percent of trees, and the most frequently observed types of damage were cracks or seams, open wounds, and conks on the trunk. The structural and functional value of Wisconsin’s street trees approaches $1.8 billion. Carbon storage and sequestration ($7.5 million), replacement value ($1.8 billion), and pollution removal ($1.7 million/ year) are important assets to the citizens of Wisconsin. Emerging threats to Wisconsin’s street trees include the Asian longhorned beetle, which could impact 82 percent of the roadside trees, emerald ash borer (20 percent), and gypsy moth (15 percent).

Keywords

Trees in cities, Wisconsin, urban forestry, nondestructive testing, vegetation monitoring, environmental monitoring, trees, diseases, pests, forest health, environmental indicators, forests, forestry, plant species diversity, environmental health

Citation

Cumming, Anne Buckelew; Twardus, Daniel B.; Hoehn, Robert; Nowak, David J.; Mielke, Manfred; Rideout, Richard; Butalla, Helen; Lebow, Patricia. 2008. Wisconsin street tree assessment, 2002-2003. NA-FR-02-08. Newtown Square, PA : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, 2008. 23 pages.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/35537