A GIS Tree Inventory Makes It Easy!
Trees add immeasurable value to your community. The cool green canopy that shades residential neighborhoods, enhances parkland and softens the hard edges of downtown commercial districts is a resource that needs proper management and protection. This is especially true now, as our region is focused on preventing a major outbreak of the Emerald Ash Borer. Since ash trees represent almost 20% of our urban street trees, the impact of this disease could be devastating. Michigan, Ohio and Indiana have already lost over 30 million ash trees to this disease. While a tree inventory cannot stop the spread of the borer, it can be an important tracking and maintenance tool for your community.
Above and beyond this threat, a GIS tree inventory makes good sense. Ruekert/Mielke’s GIS staff can design a simple tree interface to add to your current GIS system. Identification and location of trees is made easy! Species, growthspace, diameter, height, inspection dates, maintenance records and insurance replacement values are all noted on a single screen. A ‘special conditions’ screen notes pest infestations, specific maintenance problems, lightning strikes, and a host of other information.
Want to see more? Contact Thomas Tym, Technology Services Department Head, at 262-542-5733. He will be happy to visit your community and give a personalized demonstration on how a tree inventory program can help your community manage this important resource.