Speaker: Greg McPherson, PhD, Research Forester, US Forest Service

Urban forestry can be an elegant strategy for increasing tree canopy, managing stormwater and capturing carbon. Selecting trees to provide these services requires science-based information on the relative performance of different species over time within the context of a changing climate. This presentation combines new research findings on climate-ready tree evaluation, urban tree biometrics and surface water storage capacity to illustrate differences among species. It presents results on the relative performance of 12 promising but untested species planted in 2015 in Sacramento parks. It illustrates how with just two simple inputs: tree species and age, users can unlock the Urban Tree Database to estimate tree biomass, carbon storage, and leaf area for 171 distinct species. Leaf area is combined with surface water storage capacity, defined as the depth of water temporarily stored on leaf and stem surfaces, to calculate potential rainwater storage in crowns of 20 species at 5-year intervals for 40 years after planting. Species that achieve the greatest carbon and rainwater storage 10 years after planting differ from those that perform best 40 years after planting. Urban foresters will learn which species are establishing fastest and showing the widest ranges of tolerance, what tree characteristics most influence rain and carbon storage rates, and how to obtain the biometric information required to calculate leaf area, carbon storage and surface water storage capacity for different species as they age.

The California Urban Forest Council, Sacramento Region Chapter “Learn at Lunch” series provides advanced educational opportunities for urban forestry professionals and the public. Learn at lunch presentations are provided every two months. Sessions are free. ISA CEU’s are requested for each session. Lunch is not provided. Please bring your own food and beverage.Please RSVP to Anne Fenkner [email protected]

All events take place 11:30 am – 1:00pm