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Trees in cities can contribute significantly to human health and environmental quality. In 2002, there were an estimated 26.9 million trees (36.9 trees / acre) within non-forested urban areas in Wisconsin. In 2012, the non-forest urban areas were reassessed based on 185 field plots. Urban forest attributes changed between 2002 and 2012 due, in part, to the expansion of urban areas, but also tree planting and natural regeneration, tree growth and tree mortality. Based on the 2012 data, urban forest structure, functions, health, and values in non-forest urban areas in Wisconsin (i.e., hereafter referred to as urban forests) were analyzed using the i-Tree Eco model. In addition, changes in tree populations greater than 5 inches d.b.h. were assessed (2002-2012). Results reveal that urban forests in 2012 have an estimated 42.8 million trees (45.9 trees / acre). Trees are considered as any woody plant with a d.b.h. ≥ 1 inch. Most trees are found in residential areas (69.2 percent). The most common species are common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), and apple species (Malus spp.). Wisconsin's urban forest currently stores about 4.0 million tons of carbon valued at $507 million. In addition, these trees remove about 212 thousand tons of carbon per year ($26.8 million per year) and about 7,030 tons of air pollution per year ($47.7 million per year). Trees in non-forest urban Wisconsin are estimated to decrease annual residential energy costs by $78.9 million per year. The compensatory value is estimated at $19.3 billion. In Wisconsin, 64 percent of the trees were within maintained areas with residential land uses containing the highest proportion of maintained trees. Overall, 1.1 percent of trees were recorded as standing dead. Between 2002 and 2012, one species that had a statistically significant increase in trees greater than 5 inches was silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Species with statistically significant decreases were white ash (Fraxinus americana) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Strengths and weaknesses of the national urban forest inventory and analysis protocol were identified and recommendations for intensification are made. Information in this report can be used to advance the understanding and management of urban forests to improve human health and environmental quality in Wisconsin.
The newsletter contains technical articles, profiles of urban forestry activities in Wisconsin, resources, coming events, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council actions and news items to help educate, train, exchange information and improve awareness of urban foresty in Wisconsin.
This report details how land cover and urbanization vary within the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin by community (incorporated and census designated places), county subdivision, and county. Specifically this report provides critical urban and community forestry information for each state including human population characteristics and trends, changes in urban and community lands, tree canopy and impervious surface cover characteristics, distribution of land-cover classes, a relative comparison of urban and community forests among local government types, determination of priority areas for tree planting, and a summary of urban tree benefits. Report information can improve the understanding, management, and planning of urban and community forests. This data is reported for each state on the CD provided in the back of this book and may be accessed by state at: http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/data/urban.
In Every Root an Anchor, writer and arborist R. Bruce Allison celebrates Wisconsin's most significant, unusual, and historic trees. More than one hundred tales introduce us to trees across the state, some remarkable for their size or age, others for their intriguing histories. From magnificent elms to beloved pines to Frank Lloyd Wright's oaks, these trees are woven into our history, contributing to our sense of place. They are anchors for time-honored customs, manifestations of our ideals, and reminders of our lives' most significant events. For this updated edition, Allison revisits the trees' histories and tells us which of these unique landmarks are still standing. He sets forth an environmental message as well, reminding us to recognize our connectedness to trees and to manage our tree resources wisely. As early Wisconsin conservationist Increase Lapham said, "Tree histories increase our love of home and improve our hearts. They deserve to be told and remembered."