HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 Tree Advisory Board Report 2012 Summary Report - Bozeman Tree Advisory Board
3/20/2013 submitted by William Hoch, Chairperson
The Tree Board worked closely with the Historic Preservation Board on the Historic
Preservation Walk, which included several trees of interest along its route. Board members
Engler and Keck attended the walk and reported that there was significant interest in the trees.
The board plans to coordinate with the Historic Preservation Board again on next year's walk.
The Tree Cost Share Program was increased to 125 trees in 2012, and all trees were sold.
Seven tree species representing seven different plant families were made available to
homeowners through this program. Planting a wider range of species to increase the diversity
of the Bozeman urban forest will continue to be a priority. Two-hundred tree replacement
vouchers worth $100 each were sent out in July.
Four trees were planted on May 15th at the Chief Joseph Middle School in honor of Arbor Day.
An Arbor Day PSA was also played on local radio stations.
A new PSA for the Live Christmas Tree program was recorded by board member Keck and
aired on local radio stations in December.
The city Forestry Division completed a survey of Bozeman's urban forest through the i-Tree
Ecosystem program. This survey found a 6.1% tree cover, which is low by the standard of most
eastern U.S. cities, but comparable to Calgary, Canada, a city with a climate more similar to
Bozeman. This survey also revealed a lack of diversity that is typical of most urban forests, with
only three species within two genera comprising over half of the Bozeman urban forest. The
results of this survey emphasize the need for increasing both the number and diversity of trees
planted in Bozeman.
Other Tree Board activities in 2012:
- Board member Engler finished her last term with the Tree Advisory Board after 20 years of
service. The board is planning to plant a tree in recognition of her service in 2013.
- Two board members (Keck and Hoch) became members of the MSU Campus Tree USA
committee.
- The Tree Board welcomed a new member, Scott Makoutz, and a new Commission Liaison,
Cyndy Andrus.