Center for Watershed Protection

Urban Watershed Forestry Manual

The Center for Watershed Protection, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, has produced a three-part manual series on using trees to protect and restore urban watersheds. The contents of the manual are the result of extensive research compiled over the past year as well as two design workshops held in early 2004 that focused on using trees for stormwater treatment and planting trees in the urban landscape. These workshops were attended by more than 40 local, regional and national experts, including foresters, stormwater engineers, landscape architects, arborists, urban soil scientists, watershed organizations, watershed planners and representatives from parks, transportation and utility companies. The three parts of the manual series are described briefly below.

Part 1: Methods for Increasing Forest Cover in a Watershed– This manual introduces the emerging topic of urban watershed forestry and presents new methods for systematically measuring watershed forest cover and techniques for maintaining or increasing this cover. The audience for this manual includes the local watershed planner or forester.

11/29/06 Update - Leaf Out Analysis
This method is a GIS analysis that estimates future forest cover (and other land cover types) in a watershed, and can also be used to evaluate the effect of different watershed protection scenarios on future forest cover. The results are useful for predicting future health of streams, setting numeric goals for forest cover, and developing watershed protection recommendations. Click the link above to download the Guidance and Spreadsheet.

Status and availability: Part 1 is available and can be downloaded now in PDF form! Hard copies of the manual were printed and distributed by the USDA Forest Service in 2005.

Part 2: Conserving and Planting Trees at Development Sites – This manual presents specific ways to enable developers, engineers or landscape architects to incorporate more trees into a development site. The proposed approach focuses on protecting existing trees, planting trees in stormwater treatment practices, and planting trees in other pervious areas of the development site. This manual introduces conceptual designs for stormwater treatment practices that utilize trees as part of the design (referred to as stormwater forestry practices).

Status and availability: Part 2 is now available and can be downloaded now in PDF form! Hard copies of the manual were printed and distributed by the USDA Forest Service in 2005.

Part 3: Urban Tree Planting Guide – This manual provides detailed guidance on urban tree planting that is applicable at both the development site and the watershed scale. Topics covered include: species selection, site preparation, tree planting and maintenance techniques, and special considerations for urban tree planting.

Now available: Searchable Urban Tree Selection Guide in Microsoft Excel format. (11/29/06)

Status and availability: Part 3 is now available and can be downloaded now in PDF form! Hard copies of the manual were printed and distributed by the USDA Forest Service in 2006.

PART 1: Methods for Increasing Forest Cover in a Watershed
click here to download

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to Urban Watershed Forestry

What is Urban Watershed Forestry?

Urban Watershed Forestry Terminology
Principles of Urban Watershed Forestry
Urban Watershed Forestry Goals
Urban Watershed Forestry Objectives
Urban Watershed Forestry Techniques

Why is Urban Watershed Forestry Important?

Watershed Benefits of Forest Cover
Impacts of Impervious Cover on Watershed Health
Impacts of Urbanization on Forests
Unique Properties of the Urban Planting Environment

Chapter 2: Planning Method for Increasing Forest Cover in the Watershed

Step 1: Conduct a Watershed Leafout Analysis

Step 1.1: Estimate the Distribution of Current Land Cover in the Watershed
Step 1.2: Identify Protected and Unprotected Lands in the Watershed
Step 1.3: Determine Whether Parcels are Developed or Undeveloped
Step 1.4: Determine Allowable Zoning on Undeveloped Land
Step 1.5: Summarize Watershed Data
Step 1.6: Acquire Forest Cover Coefficients
Step 1.7: Estimate Future Forest Cover in the Watershed

Step 2: Develop Forest Cover Goals and Objectives

Step 2.1: Set Numerical Targets for Forest Cover
Step 2.2: Define Priority Objectives to Meet Goals
Step 2.3: Evaluate Effect of Objectives on Future Forest Cover

Step 3: Identify Existing Forest and Reforestation Opportunities

Step 3.1: Identify Existing Forest for Further Assessment
Step 3.2: Identify Reforestation Opportunities for Further Assessment

Step 4: Conduct a Field Assessment of Existing Forest and Reforestation Opportunities

Step 4.1: Conduct a Field Assessment of Existing Forest Fragments
Step 4.2: Conduct a Field Assessment of Potential Reforestation Sites

Step 5: Prioritize Existing Forest and Reforestation Opportunities

Step 6: Develop Recommendations for Meeting Forest Cover Goals

Chapter 3: Techniques for Maintaining and Increasing Forest Cover in the Watershed

Techniques for Protecting Forests

A. Protect Priority Forests
B. Prevent Forest Loss During Development/Redevelopment
C. Maintain Existing Forest Canopy

Techniques for Enhancing Forests

D. Enhance Forest Remnants

Techniques for Reforesting Watersheds

E. Plant Trees During Development/Redevelopment
F. Reforest Public Land
G. Reforest Private Land

Chapter 4: Watershed Reforestation Fact Sheets

Planting Trees in Highway Rights-of-Way
Planting Trees on Home Lawns
Planting Trees in Parks
Planting Trees on School Grounds
Planting Trees in Storm Water Treatment Dry Ponds
Planting Trees along Streams and Shorelines
Planting Trees in Utility Corridors
Planting Trees in Vacant Lots

Click here to Downlaod Part 1 of the Urban Forestry Manual

Click here to Download Leaf Out Analysis Instructions (.pdf) and Leaf Out Analysis Spreadsheet (.xls)
update released 11/26/06

PART 2: Conserving and Planting Trees at Development Sites

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Why Conserve and Plant Trees at Development Sites?

Benefits of Trees at Development Sites
Regulatory Considerations for Trees at Development Sites
Unique Properties of the Urban Planting Environment

Chapter 2: How to Conserve and Plant Trees at Development Sites

Conserving Existing Trees During Construction

1. Inventory Existing Forest
2. Identify Trees to Protect
3. Design the Development with Tree Conservation in Mind
4. Protect Trees and Soil During Construction
5. Protect Trees After Construction

Planting Trees at Development Sites

1. Select Planting Sites
2. Evaluate and Improve Planting Sites
3. Plant Trees

Chapter 3: Stormwater Forestry Practice Fact Sheets

Wooded Wetland
Bioretention and Bioinfiltration
Alternating Side Slope Plantings
Tree Check Dams
Forested Filter Strip
Multi-Zone Filter Strip
Linear Stormwater Tree Pit

Chapter 4: Tree Planting Fact Sheets

Planting Trees Along Local Roads
Planting Trees in Parking Lots

Click here to Download Part 2 of the Urban Forestry Manual

PART 3: Urban Tree Planting Guide
Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: URBAN REFORESTATION SITE ASSESSMENT

2.1 General Site Information
Location
Property Owner
Current Land Use

2.2 Climate
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
Sunlight Exposure
Micro-Climate Features

2.3 Topography
Steep Slopes
Low-Lying Areas

2.4 Vegetation
Regional Forest Association
Current Vegetative Cover
Adjacent Vegetative Cover

2.5 Soils
Texture
Drainage
Compaction
pH
Other Soil Features
Soil Chemistry

2.6 Hydrology
Site Hydrology
Storm Water Runoff to Planting Site
Contributing Flow Length
Floodplain Connection

2.7 Potential Planting Conflicts
Space Limitations
Other Limiting Factors
Local Ordinance Setbacks

2.8 Planting and Maintenance Logistics
Site Access
Water Source
Party Responsible for Maintenance

2.9 Site Sketch

CHAPTER 3: BASIC PLANTING DESIGN

3.1 Plant Species
Factors Influencing Species Selection
The Importance of Diversity

3.2 Plant Materials

3.3 Plant Spacing and Density

3.4 Planting Plan

CHAPTER 4: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR URBAN TREE PLANTING

4.1 Calculating Soil Volume

4.2 Evaluating Storm Water Runoff
Under-Capacity Sites
At-Capacity Sites
Over-Capacity Sites

4.3 Reducing Conflicts Between Trees and Infrastructure
Utilities
Pavement
Structures
Lighting and Signs
Trails

4.4 Protecting Trees from Human and Animal Impacts
Beaver
Deer
Human Impacts

CHAPTER 5: SITE PREPARATION TECHNIQUES

5.1 Trash and Debris Cleanup
Evaluating the Site
Planning and Implementing the Cleanup
Costs of Trash and Debris Cleanup

5.2 Invasive Plant Control
Evaluating the Site
Selecting and Implementing Invasive Plant Control Methods
Costs of Invasive Plant Control

5.3 Soil Amendments
Evaluating Urban Soils
Planning and Implementing Soil Amendments
Costs of Soil Amendments

CHAPTER 6: PLANTING, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE TECHNIQUES

6.1 Obtaining and Storing Plant Materials
Obtaining Plant Materials
Storing Plant Materials

6.2 Planting Techniques
Planting Techniques for Various Plant Materials
Planting on Steep Slopes
Encouraging Natural Regeneration

6.3 Post Planting Tree Protection
Mulch
Stakes
Tree Shelters
Signage

6.4 Tree Inspection and Maintenance Techniques
Inspection
Watering
Pruning
Weed Control
Integrated Pest Management

REFERENCES

Appendix A. Urban Reforestation Site Assessment (URSA) Field Sheet

Appendix B. Urban Tree Selection Guide
Click here to download the Urban Tree Selection Guide in Microsoft Excel format

Appendix C. Urban Tree Planting Budget Worksheet

Click here to Download Part 3 of the Urban Forestry Manual