City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/84984
have become our partners," said Lojko, "which is great, and unusual." To foster better relations with landscape contrac- tors, four years ago a city team created an annual Landscape Contractors Breakfast, inviting them to a free meal and an introduction to the City's program for installation and maintenance. Contractors are told how to get certified and what the requirements are to do business with the City of Charlotte. The breakfast meeting has been very successful, increasing the pool of qualified companies. Another distinction of Charlotte transportation projects is that roadway contractors don't control landscaping. "We began using licensed landscaping contractors on a separate contract so we could control planting much more tightly," said Keenan. "They have to bring in samples of their stock and show that our specs are met. And as engineers we had to recognize our blind spots and work with our landscape profession- als to constantly improve our work. We would back- fill medians with Carolina red clay and give it 100% compaction and then wonder what happened when everything died," said Keenan. "Now we design the median basins to maintain tree plantings and back-fill with soil that supports plant sustainability." An important factor in Charlotte's program success is staff's commitment and passion to giving the com- munity truly beautiful and enduring projects. "All of us, regardless of our role, absolutely love it when we hear from citizens and visitors how much they appreciate our work," said Meachum. "We're making a difference people see now, and their children will see 25 years from now." Those holding the purse strings notice, too. Charlotte elected officials have been very supportive of tree planting and maintenance efforts, as evidenced by City Council's adoption of the "50x50" program. "We haven't had to fight City Council for money," said Lojko. "Quite the opposite, in the last two years Council has doubled our funding for tree planting. Moreover, within our organization we have backing from Planning, Engineering, Storm Water, Transportation, and Utilities. City-wide, there is strong collaboration to protect and increase our canopy. We are very fortunate." The Charlotte community is ultimately most fortu- nate of all. Citizens take pride in their trees and visitors frequently remark on Charlotte's tree-lined streets and the richness and beauty of the canopy. Charlotte has been a "Tree City USA" for 32 con- secutive years, a streak in many ways built on the partnership between the City of Charlotte's engi- neers and landscape professionals. Municipal Arborist: We're interested in your proposal to do our UTC project. Consultant: Great! Let's get started. Municipal Arborist: Whoa, can �������������������������������� Consultant: Not really, but we can start tomorrow. Municipal Arborist: Hold on - how about creating a prioritized planting ��������������������������� Consultant: Great ideas! I think ��������������������������� Municipal Arborist: You 'think' ���������������������DRG. I know they can. Scan this code or go to www.daveyresourcegroup.com/UTC ���������������������������������������������������������� www.urban-forestry.com 23 BAD CONNECTION WITH YOUR CONSULTANT? DRG STILL BELIEVES IN LISTENING. ������������������������������������������ and read about our UTC services, and then enter to win a $50 Arborwear gift certificate.