Woodbury Tree Canopy Assessment

Daniel Gjertson, Jamie Kennedy, Megan Murphy, & Derell Scott
Urban Forest Management: Green Spaces for People 
Eric A. North 
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Mature bur oak near City Hall in Woodbury. Photo by Daniel Gjertson
PictureOhio buckeye in early autumn. Photo: D. Gjertson
Tree Canopy Cover in Urban Spaces  

​Trees provide a wealth of benefits to urban communities, including: 
  • Reduced stormwater runoff
  • Reduced water pollution 
  • Reduced air pollution 
  • Cooler air temperatures/reduced heat island effect 
  • Sequestered carbon dioxide 
  • Bird and pollinator habitat
  • Aesthetic value 
  • Increased property values 
Trees in urban areas are also associated with negative outcomes, including: 
  • Maintenance costs
  • Human injury and property damage 
  • Decreased accessibility and mobility
  • Risk of gentrification 
It is important that the benefits of trees overcome their costs for all members of a community. 
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White oak canopy in winter. Photo: D. Gjertson
 PictureWoodland near City Hall in Woodbury. Photo: D. Gjertson
Woodbury's Tree Canopy Cover ​​

Public Trees

  • Street trees 
 
  • Park trees 
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  • Natural areas & woodlands 
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Stonemill Farms Park in Woodbury. Photo: D. Gjertson

Findings

Race & Wealth of Census Tract Map
Interactive Map
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"Click" on a tract of interest to gain more information. 

Race & Wealth of Census Tract Map Info: 
  • Population 
  • Percent BIPOC (%)
  • Home Ownership Rate (%)
  • Median Household Income ($)
  • Canopy Cover (%)
Green Space Accessibility 


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  • Woodbury is 35.72 square miles 
 
  • 9.27 square miles are not within 0.5 miles of a park 
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  • 26% of Woodbury has limited access to parks

Recommendations 

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Community Feedback 

Impacts Affecting Canopy Cover 
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Image from www.woodburymn.gov
  • Amend Community Survey  
  • Example Question: “How easy is it for you to get to a space in Woodbury that has pleasant trees and natural vegetation?”​
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Image from Pioneer Press, www.twincities.com
  • Ensure inequities do not develop in canopy cover as ash trees are removed due to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). 
  • Establish a tree replacement program

Affiliations 

  • Form relationships with local conservation and professional organizations 
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www.treetrust.org
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www.msa-live.org

Community Engagement 

Cultivate more appreciation and awareness towards trees among residents
Fall Festival
  • Highlight the aesthetic beauty of trees during the change of seasons
  • Collaborate with local artists to showcase their work related to trees and fall color. 
Fall Tree Sale 
  • Suitable time of year to plant deciduous trees
  • Additional opportunity for homeowners to increase their tree canopy 
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Bigtooth aspen leaf in Autumn, Photo: D. Gjertson
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Fall color palette in MN. Photo: D. Gjertson
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Blue beech, planted in fall. Photo: D. Gjertson
(1)Ask an Arborist: Why Should I Plant in the Fall? 
​Video creator, Arbor Day Foundation 
Create self-guided tour of historic and notable trees in the City 
Tour stop idea...
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Mature bur oak near City Hall in Woodbury. Photo: D. Gjertson
Sample interpretive sign 
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Provided by Sandy Tanck, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
(2)Tree Tour Example: World of Trees, on The University of Maine campus (link below)
Utilize phone app. to guide participants along the tree tour
  • Example: PocketSights
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pocketsights.com
Hyperlinks for organizations mentioned above: 
Citations:
​(1) Arbor Day Foundation. (2018, November 1st). Ask an Arborist: Why Should I plant in the Fall? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0gaMXb5avs.
(2) University of Maine. "Tree Tour - Self-Guided Walking Tours", May 3rd, 2021, https://umaine.edu/sights/tree-tour/.