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© Copyright 2005
Georgia Forestry
Commission
ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
1-800-GA-TREES
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Sustainable Community Forestry Program
From urban neighborhoods to rural subdivisions, trees play a vital role in our communities. People benefit from community forests in many ways, whether relaxing in the shade, drinking clean water, or breathing clean air. Trees contribute to our health, economic vitality and social well-being.
Through the Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP), the GFC focuses on the future of our trees by helping community leaders recognize the value of trees and plan with them in mind. Community leaders can build a sustainable urban forestry program by implementing tree inventories, ordinances and land-use plans and by establishing advocacy groups and networks of certified arborists, planners, and landscape architects. These sustainable programs minimize the loss of trees while maximizing their benefits.
The Sustainable Community Forestry Program provides the valuable resources community leaders need to develop and maintain a community tree care program. Whether through the technical knowledge of our Community Foresters, the financial assistance of our grant program, the information supplied in our educational programs and materials, assistance with wildland-urban interface issues or the professional guidance offered by partner organizations, the Sustainable Community Forestry Program works with all communities to care for their trees.
For more information about the Sustainable Community Forestry Program please contact the GFC statewide program coordinator by email or by calling 706-542-6880 (Athens GA).
- Tips for Planting and Taking Care of Trees During a Drought
Due to Georgia's drought, please check the state and local watering restrictions that may be in place in your area before watering your trees. However, here are some tips to help weather the dry conditions:
- Mulch trees. (Add mulch at a depth of three inches. Place it over the tree roots. Do not place mulch against the tree trunk.)
- Use recycled water or gray water from your home (dehumidifier, air conditioning condensate, or shower before it heats.)
- Pump water from other sources such as detention ponds, lakes, creeks or cisterns. Remember to get permission from the landowners if the water source is not on your property.
- Use gator bags and refill them with recycled water.
- Ask the fire department to use water that is recycled from their trucks. Follow crews as the fire hydrants are drained and collect the water. A large tank is needed to collect water as it is under high pressure.
- Get a permit (contact your local county government) and pay to bring water in from other sources. Your trees provide more benefits than this cost.
- When you are able to provide water, the most beneficial time to irrigate plants is during the late night and early morning hours. Evaporation is minimized, and the foliage has time to dry out during daylight hours. Evening watering is efficient for water use, but should be applied after dew is on the leaf surfaces
- Install a rain barrel at your planting site.
- Tree Canopy/Impervious Surface Analysis
Data from a recent study of land cover change indicates that the Metro Atlanta region is losing an average of 50 acres of tree canopy per day. For each acre of tree canopy lost, one acre of impervious surface is gained each day. This study, conducted in 2006 by Dr. Liz Kramer at The University of Georgia, compared satellite imagery from 1991 and 2005 to document the rate of tree loss in Georgia.
For more information about this study and to view imagery from the metro Atlanta area, visit the NARSAL (Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Laboratory) website.
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