ReLeaf Manchester & Chateau: How Are We Doing?

How are we doing?

Manchester & Chateau

A SPECIAL THANKS...

to all those that played a hand in perpetuating the goals of ReLeaf From the steering committee to the volunteers that carried out the plan, these efforts have not gone unnoticed. The success of ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau was driven by both groups and while we cannot thank everyone individually, the following highlights some of the people that contributed their time and hard work

MANCHESTER RESIDENTS CITY OF PITTSBURGH

Sarah Evens

Carol Gonzales

Renee Rosensteel

Andy Moore

Mark Thomlinson

Alison Keating

Larry Meadows

Rosie Wise

Lisa Ceoffe

TREE PITTSBURGH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THANK YOU!

Matt Erb

Kelsey Munsick

How are we doing?

FRAMEWORK

The purpose of this 2022 ReLeaf Review is to answer the question how are we doing? Since the beginning of ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau in 2017, the urban forest has undergone changes directly related to ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau efforts, community development, and storm damage The new data accounted for in the How Are We Doing stage will help create a clearer picture moving forward. Conclusions drawn from this picture can help direct future plans and goals.

RELEAF PLANNING PROCESS

The plan was guided by Tree Pittsburgh, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to enhancing the City’s vitality by restoring and protecting city trees, and by the Pittsburgh Urban Forest Master Planning Steering Committee. The framework for the process was based on understanding what we have, what we want, how we get there, and how we are doing This process is referred to as adaptive management and is commonly used for resource planning and management. This model provides a good conceptual framework for the process of improving urban forest management and it serves as the structure for how this plan has been organized

THE RELEAF STEPS

What do we have?

The state of Manchester-Chateau’s tree canopy is outlined in the original ReLeaf plan

What do we want?

Gathered public feedback that directed ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau’s goals

How do we get there?

Goals and recommendations based on the What do we have and What do we want sections of ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau.

How are we doing?

Monitoring and evaluation are keys to success for the implementation of this plan This is the first comprehensive look back at the last 5 years to track success and opportunities.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

How are we doing?

URBAN TREE CANOPY

Since 2005, the City of Pittsburgh along with many partners began collecting valuable data on Pittsburgh’s urban forest.

Tree Pittsburgh has completed several urban tree canopy assessments to better understand the changes in the urban forest. The initial assessment was completed in 2011 using 2010 LiDAR imagery of Allegheny County, and another tree canopy assessment followed in 2015 The tree canopy was then compared between the two data sets Tree Pittsburgh found considerable tree canopy loss throughout Allegheny County due to numerous factors including increasing storm damage, community development, pests, and diseases.

The following offers a look back on the state of Manchester-Chateau’s urban forest to determine the effects of ReLeaf efforts. Evaluating how the tree canopy has changed since the implementation of the ReLeaf program will help better direct future efforts of ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau Manchester-Chateau displayed tree canopy loss in the years 2010-2015 Manchester’s existing tree canopy cover is 17% and Chateau's is 5%, making it the lowest canopy neighborhood in Pittsburgh. The average for Pittsburgh is 42%. To attain tree equity, transformational investment is needed.

URBANTREE CANOPY

How are we doing?

Manchester Academic Charter School students gather for a picture before planting trees

Volunteers and Tree Pittsburgh staff take a break after mulching trees along Chateau Street

MANCHESTER

Manchester has experienced tree loss due to a number of factors The neighborhood is rich with history and large canopy trees that have historically caused sidewalk damage. Removing large canopy trees to alleviate this sidewalk damage leads to a large canopy loss, as seen on the map Additional factors such as storm damage and development also play a part in canopy loss

CHATEAU

Chateau has experienced an overall loss as well Additionally, Chateau is a predominately industrial landscape creating a low starting canopy and many obstacles when it comes to planting trees in the area.

Chateau Tree Canopy Change 2010–2015

NEW STANDARDS TO MEASURE RELEAF SUCCESS

One of the metrics used to gauge the success of ReLeaf efforts includes a new global standard called the 3:30:300 Rule.

This new global standard set minimum goals that each household should be able to see 3 trees from their home, there should be 30% canopy coverage per neighborhood, and residents should be able to walk at most 300 meters to a local public greenspace Greenspaces are to be a minimum of one hectare to be included in this rule. Using this rule sets a standard that access to a thriving urban canopy should be equally accessible throughout a neighborhood The 3:30:300 rule was introduced by Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, the Nature Based Solutions Institute Program Director, in February of 2021 He suggested that while it is difficult to capture the wide range of benefits provided by an urban forest, this rule captures environmental benefits from the number of trees and canopy coverage data while also capturing social benefits through park accessibility This outlines a minimum standard for meaningful access to the tree canopy and its benefits in urban areas regardless of location Ideally, urban areas would exceed these numbers and have more access to tree canopy than the base values of 3:30:300. Using this standard will help to promote tree equity across the Pittsburgh neighborhoods

GREENSPACES

In this document, public greenspace accessibility will be restricted to city-owned parks as the intended definition is a space that provides multiple opportunities for recreation/enjoyment of nature in an area 1 hectare or larger (2.5 acres). Using this standard to assess the state of Manchester-Chateau’s urban forest, a group of Manchester and Chateau residents were asked if they were able to see three trees from a window in their home Of the 10 residents asked, 9 could see three trees from their window. The canopy coverage for Manchester is 17% and Chateau’s is 5%, setting it well below the 30% canopy coverage goal. The final goal of the 3:30:300 rule is to have all households within 300 meters of park space. The map above demonstrates a 300-meter range from parks located in Manchester and Chateau (designated in dark green) Applying this to Manchester-Chateau demonstrates areas of improvement around the neighborhoods For example, areas that do not have access to the 300-meter park buffer demonstrate areas in need of greenspaces.

Tree care is vital to maintaining a healthy existing canopy and for the longevity of young trees. Tree Pittsburgh has partnered with Tree Tenders, volunteers, and volunteer groups from local businesses to best implement tree care activities on Manchester and Chateau’s public trees.

These efforts include removing invasive species, Mulching Parties, and Pruning Workshops The ultimate goal of these tree maintenance efforts is aimed to reduce long-term maintenance costs and hopefully extend the lifespan of these trees. Removing invasive species, specifically, vines such as oriental bittersweet can increase the chances of survival of trees. Invasive vines use trees to climb and gain access to sunlight, but can weigh down and harm trees in the process Leveraging volunteer efforts to reduce the vine coverage creates a more successful environment for the trees Mulching Parties involved weeding and mulching street tree pits. The weeds in tree pits can compete with the tree for water and reduce the success of a tree By removing the weeds and adding mulch to the tree pit, the tree receives nutrients and has less competition for water resources Pruning Workshops are invaluable in providing structural training for young trees. Tree Pittsburgh works specifically with Certified Tree Tenders led by a Certified Arborist to carry out Pruning Workshops across the neighborhoods of Manchester and Chateau by targeting newly planted or younger trees

Tree Pittsburgh Tree Care Events

How are we doing?

TREE TENDERS

Tree Tenders have supported and championed ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau efforts. These volunteers are trained and certified through an 8-hour Tree Tender Training Course to lead and assist in tree planting, tree care events, and tree advocacy and awareness.

Tree Tender classes have been offered various times to the public, but in the Fall of 2021, a free course was offered exclusively to the residents of ReLeaf communities including Manchester and Chateau Participants in Tree Tenders Courses learn about topics such as proper planting techniques, common pests or diseases, and correct pruning practices. Once they have completed the course, residents are certified and better equipped to help with tree care and planting events These education efforts have generated 10 new Tree Tenders from 2017-2022 Enabling residents with the knowledge from Tree Tender training encourages volunteers to create more opportunities or volunteer events to care for existing trees in the neighborhood.

New Tree Tenders

TREE TENDERS

How are we doing?

ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau worked to empower neighborhood volunteers with direction and projects to protect and increase the community’s trees.

Volunteer Tree Tenders partnered with local parks, organizations, businesses, and volunteers to work towards increasing tree canopy in the neighborhood. Steering Committee meetings were held to guide plans and identify planting projects in Manchester-Chateau Most recently, trees were planted at two schools in Manchester. Manchester Academic Charter School welcomed new trees in the Fall of 2021 The Pittsburgh Steelers partnered with Tree Pittsburgh to plant trees at Manchester Elementary School in the spring of 2022 Working with these schools also created a partnership between ReLeaf and another Tree Pittsburgh program, One Tree Per Child. The TreeVitalize program has also worked to increase the number of street trees with the help of applications submitted by Tree Tenders and members of the steering committee. Thanks to these efforts, 155 trees have been planted around the neighborhood

TREES PLANTED

How are we doing?

TreeVitalize Trees Planted

Manchester volunteers and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy staff put the finishing touches on a new TreeVitalize tree in Manchester

Tree Pittsburgh has provided free trees to residents around the city for over seven years.

These events provide an opportunity for residents with private property to take home trees at no cost, to help grow the urban tree canopy within their own yards In 2021, Tree Pittsburgh held a Tree Adoption event in Manchester exclusively for the Manchester and Chateau residents. Sixteen trees were adopted in the kickoff event and at the second Tree Adoption event in the Spring of 2022, 29 trees were adopted by residents of Manchester and Chateau. A final adoption was held in the Fall of 2022 where 87 trees were distributed

TREES ADOPTED

How are we doing?

A happy Manchester resident poses with her newly adopted tree

VACANT SITE INVENTORY

Efforts to increase street trees around the neighborhood included completing surveys to create an inventory of plantable sites.

Technology including an iPad equipped with TreeKeeper inventory software was utilized to access city parcel data for the most accurate addresses. Staff from Tree Pittsburgh worked to complete an inventory of Manchester Manchester Tree Tenders will then use these addresses to target TreeVitalize applications The goal of this project was to create a more focused effort for future street tree plantings.

How are we doing?

Overall, this report demonstrates that the Manchester and Chateau communities are dedicated to growing the urban forest in their neighborhood.

Volunteers and Tree Pittsburgh employees continue to carry out tree care events and tree plantings since the implementation of ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau which are aimed to combat canopy loss These efforts will take time to become evident in the data and therefore are not fully captured in this look-back report but will be evident in the next look-back While these efforts may not show up in the data just yet, metrics including the 3:30:300 rule demonstrate that the residents of Manchester and Chateau are able to interact with trees and park resources, thanks to the committed efforts of the ReLeaf Manchester-Chateau steering committee and other neighborhood volunteers.

CONCLUSION

How are we doing?

A volunteer from Manchester cleans up after planting a new TreeVitalize tree