Should the chips, brush, leaves, logs and stumps generated by tree pruning and other urban forestry activities be considered waste or resource, debris or raw material
A workshop, “Urban Tree Residues: New Opportunities and Solutions,” scheduled for Birmingham, Ala. on April 30 and Orlando, Fla. on May 2 should help answer the trash/treasure question.
National and regional experts will address, disposal problems, wood residue as a resource, as well as new products and markets for urban tree residue.
The workshops sponsored by the International Society of Aboriculture Research Trust, will also focus on a recently completed study concerning the volumn and characteristics of urban tree and landscape residues.
Until recently, very little information was available on the volume or characteristics of yard and tree waste. However, a national survey, sponsored by the trust, Allegheny Power System and the National Arborist Foundation, and conducted by NEOS Corporation, has better defined the situation. The national inventory assessed residue generators, volume, characteristics and disposal methods on a regional basis and by size of metropolitan area. Irregular tree and landscape residues associated with natural disasters were covered as well.
The survey respondents reported more than 17.7 million cubic yards of residue produced per year. Wood chips accounted for more than 11 million cubic yards, or 67 percent of the annual total. Extrapolating the survey results to a national basis gives an estimate of 200.5 million cubic yards of green residue generated each year.
Florida produces more residue than any other state, and the Southeast generates the most (43 percent of the national total) regionally. The Northeast is the second highest regional producer, while other states with large volumes include California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
As expected, commercial tree care firms and lawn and garden/landscapers reported the greatest amount of residue (72 percent of the national total). Other major contributors are municipal park and recreation departments, utilities, and land clearance contractors.
The national survey provided important baseline information on volumes and characteristics of urban tree residue. The data offer planners, policy-makers and entrepreneurs knowledgeable insight into a major issue with regional impact and significant business opportunities. The survey report as well as workshop program information and registration materials are available from the International Society of Arboriculture Research Trust.
(Address inquiries about the regional workshops and the report: “Quantity & Quality of Tree Residues Generated by the Arboricultural and Urban Forest Industries” to: International Society of Arboriculture Research Trust, P.O. Box GG, Savoy, IL 61874 phone: 217/355-9411.)