Angel Spell, Urban Forester, City of Spokane Parks & Recreation, 509.363.5495
Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 3:21 p.m.
Growing healthy forests through protection and enhancement of our open space safeguards the aesthetic and ecological values as well as the social and recreational opportunities provided by our urban forest canopy.This winter, forest health collaboration created over 35 acres of more resilient and healthy forested open space in the City of Spokane. … by removing trees! A little counterintuitive, right? Let me break it down for you.
The fact is that forest health treatments of selective tree pruning and removals increases overall tree vigor, reduces competition, and retains those trees best adapted to the site. As a result, our forested stands become more resistant to pests, disease, and fire. When damage does occur, forests are more resilient in their recovery.
Spokane Urban Forestry teamed up with the Washington Conservation Corps (WWC) this winter to target open space in need of restoration and enhancement of the native Ponderosa pine plant communities. By pruning established trees and reducing dense stands of small trees, we created a forest landscape dominated by mature, widely spaced, fire-tolerant tree canopy – a healthier forest!
The collaboration between Spokane Urban Forestry and the WCC was made possible through partnership and funding support from Washington Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program and the USDA Forest Service.
Through AmeriCorps, the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) provides natural resource conservation service opportunities to young adults and military veterans. City of Spokane Arborist, Jeff Perry, praised the work of the WCC team saying “I was so impressed with their professionalism and work ethic! We could not have accomplished any of this work without the WCC crew. I hope there will be another opportunity like this.”
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