Tree Inventorying
Tree inventorying has been a part of the Urban Forest Initiative's ongoing activities for several years. A tree inventory involves collecting information (species, size, etc.) on individual trees. We have found that tree inventorying is a multi-faceted approach to better engagement with the urban and community forest. For example, we've used tree inventorying as an educational activity with neighbors and students so that they can learn more about the trees around them. We've also led tree inventorying efforts in concert with land managers, creating a valuable resource for decision making and planning. Additionally, tree inventory data enables us to engage in urban and community forestry research by exploring landscape phenomena using information on large collections of trees. Below are several resources stemming from our tree inventorying efforts.
Tree canopy assessment and tree inventorying: a quick introduction to tree inventory methods
Nic Williamson (UFI Coordinator) gives a short virtual talk on two categories of assessing trees in the urban and community forest. A tree canopy assessment provides information on the quantity of tree canopy within a given locale, whereas a tree inventory includes a consistent set of parameters on individual trees within the community forest. These approaches can provide information to help shape urban and community forestry efforts and management decisions.
Community Tree Inventorying and Outreach
Lexington, KY
To prepare our urban forest for our changing climate, the UFI core team sought to learn more about the species composition, health, condition, and size distribution of Lexington's street trees through the support of a 2020 UK Sustainability Challenge Grant.
Lexington, KYUniversity of Kentucky
The Urban Forest Initiative collaborates with the University of Kentucky Facilities Management to build and update a tree database of campus trees.
University of Kentucky