2017 State of Our Environment Report
Urban Forest
Importance
Figure 1. Austin celebrated Arbor Day with a family friendly event at Austin Nature
& Science Center. Photo by Jennifer Chapman, Austin Nature & Science
Center.
Our community recognizes that the urban forest provides
social, ecological, and economic benefits that enhance the quality of life for
Austin residents. Just like the parks where we play and the bike lanes we use
to commute to work, our urban forest is a community asset. It is an important
part of Austin’s infrastructure, but it is not static. The forest’s health can
change due to insect and disease infestations, invasive plants, aging trees,
population growth, and land development.
To maintain the health and integrity of our community’s urban
forest, the City strives to preserve and maintain trees and vegetation during
land development; promote the many benefits trees provide our community; offer information
about tree care; and replant trees and vegetation.
Status and Trends
Figure 2. Five year tracking of tree impacts in Austin provided by the Community
Tree Preservation Division in the Development Services Department
For more than 25 years, our city has followed tree preservation and
replanting ordinances to balance land development with protecting trees and
green space that bring so many people to our community. Keeping Austin’s tree
canopy intact is important for our community’s quality of life.
Protected trees: Thanks to
the City’s tree preservation ordinances, we have protected hundreds of
thousands of trees from being removed or damaged during development.
Tree Removals: Trees are
removed every year for a number of reasons, including land development and declining
tree health. In 2017, more than 80,000 inches were removed because of
development (12 percent decrease from 2016) and almost 42,000 tree inches were
removed this year due to declining health (8 percent increase from 2016).
Tree Planting: The City tracks tree
planting that happens on development sites and on city-sponsored initiatives.
Trees planted through the development process totaled more than 30,000 inches
in 2017. Tree planting on park property, riparian areas along creeks, rights-of-way,
and private property has remained consistent over the past 5 years, averaging 6,600
new tree inches per year (6,400 in 2017). The majority of these trees are provided
to Austinites free of charge through the City-sponsored NeighborWoods program (http://www.treefolks.org/nw). Tree species are chosen for ecosystem
function and site suitability,
and include large shade, small ornamental, and fruit and nut
species.
Annual Focus
Figure 3. Flyover view of downtown Austin, Texas
Austin’s tree ordinance, established in 1983, has provided tree protection for more than 34 years. This protective ordinance is one method
the City uses to support Austin as a livable community. Trees are valued and recognized
for their ability to provide shade during hot summer months, reduce energy use,
and make outdoor spaces more comfortable. They also provide millions of dollars
annually in ecosystem services through reduced energy use, flood risk reduction,
and cleaner air and water. (Austin’s Urban Forest Report, 2014, www.tinyurl.com/2014UFReportATX)
At the State Capitol this year, during the 85th legislative session
and special session, local tree protection ordinances received considerable
attention by the legislature. During the
regular and special session, legislators filed bills that would have prevented
cities from protecting trees in their communities. Texas has more than 100
cities and towns with some form of tree protection ordinance. Hours of
testimony by engaged citizens from across the state resulted in the legislature
passing only a bill that affects tree mitigation fees.
Figure 4. The Lorax Storytime on capitol grounds
under a historic live oak. Photo by Michael Embesi, Community Tree Preservation
Division.
To raise awareness of the issue at the special session, local
singer-song writers collaborated with environmental partners to host a Music
Tribute to Texas Trees. State representatives Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) and
Wayne Faircloth (R-Galveston) read “The Lorax” on capitol grounds under one of
the historic oak trees. Key legislators received copies of the book to raise
awareness of the public’s support for tree protection.
At the end of the special session, House Bill 7 passed and
the governor signed it. The new law does not impact the City of Austin’s tree
protection ordinance, but it does affect how tree mitigation fees are assessed.
The law requires that once the maximum number of replacement tree inches have
been planted on a development site, any remaining tree inches must be accounted for and may
be satisfied through fees. These fees are held for future community tree
planting and care activities. The community may access this fund through the
Urban Forest Grant (www.austintexas.gov/ufgp)
for tree
planting and care projects.