Urban trees: Keeping Downtown Beautiful

Urban landscape can be a struggle to maintain and plan for long term beautification.  Many municipality budgets don’t allow for proper urban tree management.  

Early in 2019, the Henderson Downtown Initiative contacted the Extension Office to help with a few selected streetscape tree maintenance issues.  Several conversations over the next month led to identifying the need to better manage the health and replacement of the downtown treescape.  

Working with University of Kentucky’s Urban Tree Initiative, Henderson County Extension, and Henderson County master Gardeners, we were able to complete a comprehensive tree inventory in the downtown district.  Data collected included: tree species, tree overall health, root or height problems, and tree trunk diameter.  Data was collected using ArcGis Tree Inventory software.  The City of Henderson provided access to software and large format printer.  Over 160 trees were mapped with corresponding data in a 12 block area.

The data collected has allowed us to predict the life expectancy of the downtown trees and better plan for replacing in a timely manner.  Just as important, the map allowed us to identify over 75 opportunities to add trees.  Many of the trees that have been replaced recently needed some maintenance such as pruning or staking.  Identifying these needs on an interactive map will help the Henderson County Parks department better address the maintenance needs.

In the fall of 2019, we presented our report to city commissioners including a currently tree maintenance plan and a replacement plan. Best species list was provided with recommended planting best practices.  Throughout 2020, the Henderson County Parks Department implemented the plan, replacing over 30 overgrown trees and adding 22 new plantings.  

Currently, the Parks Dept. are working on implementing stage 2 to include several more streets in the downtown district as well as conducting an inventory of Central Park and evaluating the status of the trees there.

Working with city commissioners, community leaders, and the parks department has shined a light on Extension and the resources they provide.  Good recognition for the work we do is important and this project allowed Extension to be recognized throughout the community.