Agenda Package - City of Vernon

-5-
6-9% Good tree cover in a neighbourhood
9-12% ffi endins in forested bu'piæ99-ql9!MÞ
10% lnner-citv home within l+ mile (400 m)el-q-pqf
10-15% lvtature trees in high-income neighbqq¡199çþ
18% Buildino lots with substantial mature tree cover
19% Home adiacent to a passive park area
22o/"
Tree-covered undeveloped acreage
32% Residential development adjacent þg¡genÞe!!
19-35% Lots bordering suburban woode@
37% Open land that is 2/3 wooded
These tables, and further detailed information outlining the results of Kelowna's
study of the effects of Urban Forests, is included as Attachment 1.
3.
Tree Survey Results
At its meeting of July 27,2009, Council directed staff to complete an inventorv of
Heritaoe Treðs on públic and private propertv. A heritage tree survey was initiated
areaSofVernonwhereheritagetreesweremost
anticipated to be found: downtown Vernon and Lower East Hill. The heritage tree
rrrey identified all trees in these areas which were estimated to be at least 60
years old. A total of 265 heritage trees were inventoried in Lower East Hill with 192
ôonsidered to be in good condition, and 28 heritage trees in downtown with 17
trees in good health. More heritage trees were inventoried on private property than
on public lands: 193 private and 72 public.
A second inventorv of all trees on public land was initiated by Operations staff in
tory focused on the East Hitl neighbourhood'
During this survey a total of 1 ,1 19 trees were inventoried, of which 620 trees were
foundto be in góod or excellent condition. Although no tree inventory data was
collected for noñ-heritage trees observed on private property during the public land
survey, anecdotal information from the City Arbourist suggests that the majority of
trees in East Hill are on private property'
The City Arbourist has been the lead on the Tree lnventory Survey on public
property, and has been involved in the identification of current tree management
änO prótection issues, discussions regarding the potential approaches to street
tree program development, canopy cover goal selection and in the development of
this iepórt, The Arborist should provide leadership on the development of tree
specieä list development for residential tree planting initiatives, if developed, and
sirould be available to review tree cutting permit applications, and their associated
Arborist reports, as necessary for heritage and significant tree removal on private
property.
4.
Canopy Gover Goals for all Trees
At its Committee of the Whole meeting of May 11, 2009, Council directed staff to
determine appropriate canopy cover goals. Canopy goals are.important as these
targets provide guidance over time to ensure that this valuable community asset
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