Bloomington Street Tree Report: Trees Increasing in Number, Decreasing in Diversity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2008

For more information contact:
Lee Huss, Urban Forester, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, (812) 349-3716
Dr. Burnell C. Fischer, Clinical Professor, Indiana University, (812) 856-5016

Bloomington, IN - The number of trees growing along Bloomington's city streets has increased by more than 19 percent during the past 12 years, according to a report issued by the City of Bloomington Parks and Rcreation Department.

The overall health of Bloomington's street trees is increasing as well, with a decrease in the percentage of trees rated as fair, poor, or dead/dying and a 28 percent increase in trees whose condition was rated as good.

The report also showed that while growing, the street tree population is decreasing in divestiy with species like red maple, flowering pear and sugar maple dominating the inventory.

"A lack of diversity leaves Bloomington's trees vulnerable to disease and insect attacks," said Lee Huss, urban Forester with the City Parks na dRecreation Department. "Think elm trees and Dutch elm disease, or ash trees and the emerald ash borer. Our goal is to select and plant the best trees for the available spaces, and to work with developers to help them choose a variety of tree species that willthrive in urban conditions."

The report also includes the first attempt to place a value on the "ecosystem services" street trees provide in the form of removing greenhouse gasses, slowing storm water runoff and providing public health benefits. Accordint to the report, the ecosystem services provided by trees are valued at over $400,000 annually. Researchers estimate that the reduced energyconsumption street trees cause bya cting as windbreaks and shade may push the value of ecosystem services to over 41 million annually.

"This information is especially important in light of the Environmental Commission's recent report on shrinking greenspace in Bloomington," said Mick Renneisen, Director of the City Parks and Recreation Department. "The report shows us the value of our trees far beyond what it might cost simply to replace them, and gives us the data we need to tie trees into the City's sustainability goals. We are committed to using our resources in the most effective way possible to care for the trees that provide so many benefits to Bloomington."

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