University of Iowa
OP-T2-21: Tree Campus USA

The University of Iowa was the first designated Tree Campus in Iowa. The UI Tree Campus USA Program operates with a thirteen-person campus tree advisory committee. This committee includes a student representative, faculty members, Facilities Management personnel, and members of the community. The Campus Tree Care Program is guided by a clear purpose statement followed by policies for planting, landscaping, maintenance, and removal of trees, as well as protection and preservation policies. Procedures for assessing damaged trees and managing catastrophic events are also included in the Campus Tree Care Program. Goals and accomplishments stated within the program: 1. In January 2009, the UI replaced its AutoCad tree inventory system to an updated version supplied by Stratapoint. 2. The UI will install more trees than are removed each year. 3. Renewal of “Tree Campus USA” designation via the Arbor Day Foundation. 4. Continuation of species diversification across campus, within acceptable parameters. 5. The University of Iowa – Landscape Services Department was able to add a new member to the Tree Crew in 2010. A second Tree Trimmer joined a Tree Trimmer and two Arborists to make a four member tree operation. A communication strategy is also outlined as part of the Campus Tree Care Program: The University of Iowa – Facilities Management – Building & Landscape Services Department will communicate the campus tree care plan through the following outlets: 1. The Communication Specialist who prepares a daily intra-departmental electronic newsletter, “FM Connection”. 2. The UI Relations Office 3. The UI Building Coordinators group 4. The UI – FM – Building & Landscape Services Department’s Landscape Standards Manual, with a cross reference cited in the UI – FM – Planning, Design, and Construction Department’s Design Reference Manual. Tree Management: Landscape Services is responsible for the management of over 6,500 trees at the main campus and over 1,200 trees at the Oakdale campus. Criteria to manage the UI urban forest are as follows: Installation The selection of tree species and planting sites for campus tree installation by LS staff will be done collaboratively among the Associate Director of Landscape Services, LS Manager / Landscape Architect, LS Grounds Supervisor, and LS Arborists. Level A areas that will have trees installed will be scheduled first. Level B areas that will have trees installed will be scheduled second. Level C areas that will have trees installed will be scheduled third. Pruning, Monitoring, and Removal Considerations Pruning practices shall follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 standards. General pruning of Oaks and Elms shall be done between the months of November through March so as to minimize the spread of Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm diseases. Level A areas shall be inspected annually for tree pruning needs, monitoring for insect and disease problems, and removal considerations. Level A tree pruning priority shall be given to hazard trees. Pruning priorities for clearance, removal of dead wood, structural, and aesthetic reasons will follow. Clearance over sidewalks shall be 8 feet, and clearance over streets shall be 14 feet for medium to mature-sized trees per ANSI A300 standards. Scheduling will be done by the LS Arborists and Grounds Supervisor. Level A monitoring for insects and diseases shall be done based on the tree species that could be affected and the season of the year. Treatment decisions will be determined by the severity of the potential tree damage both physically and aesthetically. Level A tree removal considerations shall be determined based on discussions among the LS Arborists, Grounds Supervisor, Landscape Services Manager / Landscape Architect, and Associate Director of Landscape Services. If a decision is made to remove a tree from a Level A area, the appropriate communication will be made to the various stakeholders before the tree is scheduled for removal. Level B tree pruning priority shall be given to hazard trees first; followed by clearance, dead wood, structural, and aesthetic considerations. The same clearance standards stated for Level A shall be followed for Level B. Level C tree pruning priority shall be given to hazard trees first. Pruning for clearance, removal of dead wood, structural, and aesthetic reasons will be done after Level A and Level B areas are done, pending a reason that would cause a Level C tree pruning need to supersede pruning from Level A or B areas. The same clearance standards stated for Levels A & B shall be followed for Level C. Standards for other tree maintenance practices including watering, staking, mulching, and maintaining valuable trees are as follow: Watering Watering of newly-installed trees shall occur as needed for two years after planting. This applies to Levels A, B, & C. Staking Staking is generally not recommended. If staking is required to stabilize a newly-installed tree, three posts shall be placed uniformly around the tree with the connecting wire attached to a strap that won’t harm the cambium. The stakes shall remain for one year or until the tree is stable enough to remain upright on its own. Mulching All trees growing in the maintained portions of campus shall have a mulch ring with a minimum radius of three feet. The purposes are to protect the tree trunks from mower and weedeater damage as well as protecting the tree roots by retaining moisture and lowering soil temperatures. The outer edge of the mulch ring shall have a three to four inch edge dug to keep the mulch from encroaching into the turf and to have a level interface with the turf. A small ring around the base of the tree shall be kept free from mulch to minimize disease pathogens. The mulch depth shall not exceed four inches. Level A areas with trees not currently having a mulch ring will be scheduled first. Mulched tree rings in Level A areas shall be refreshed annually. Level B areas with trees not currently having a mulch ring will be scheduled after Level A areas are completed. Mulched tree rings in Level B areas will be refreshed as needed and as other work assignments allow. Level C areas with trees not currently having a mulch ring will be scheduled after Level A & B areas. Maintaining Valuable Trees Several campus trees are considered to be valuable based on species, size, location, and condition. An appraised worth based on International Society of Arboriculture criteria of $10,000 or higher shall define a tree as valuable. Trees on the UI Heritage Tree Walk shall also be deemed as valuable. These trees are to receive extra consideration for preservation that may require extra resources. Pesticide treatments, lightning protection, air spading, and cabling & bracing are some of these preservation considerations. Tree Inventory An electronic tree inventory is used as a management tool for maintaining the campus trees. In 2009, Landscape Services contracted with Stratapoint to store our tree data in their server.