Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/75042
Green Living large parts of the country already in drought in 2012. Subsidence typically is the second-most-expensive insured peril, after fire. And in most cases, particularly on clay soils, trees are the main cause of subsidence. Concern about the location of trees also is a major worry to homeowners, not only when trees cause dam- age through subsidence, but also because the proxim- ity of trees can jeopardize house purchases, mortgage loans and cause disputes among neighbors. Tree-Mapping System What becomes apparent from these facts, figures and attention is that managing the natural environment is an essential component of daily life, and an integral aspect of successful communities and economies. For those charged with managing the ecosystem as well as providing essential services based around and delivered within it, understanding "what exists" and "where" must be fundamental. Although traditional mapping highlights urban green spaces and, if of suf- ficient importance or scope, may provide some basic levels of classification, for many this isn't enough information. To that end, aerial surveying company Bluesky developed a new digital map product that accurately models the location and extent of trees, and highlights their proximity to buildings. Designed to aid insurance assessors, property developers and Local Authority planners, ProximiTREE uses accurate and up-to-date aerial photography to detail the exact spatial location and height of individual trees together with the circum- ference of each tree canopy. From this information, a determination can be made of the root extent and potential impact on existing or proposed properties. Urban green spaces with planted trees add to the ambience at the edge of the River Thames, with Tower Bridge in the background (top). A 3-D rendered version of ProximiTREE data was created for the same area (bottom). Community Forest The first application of such data was to help authorities across Manchester, United Kingdom, understand the impact of urban trees on the environment, public health and aesthetic qualities. Commissioned by a consortium of organizations—headed by Red Rose Forest and including local authorities, the Homes and Communities Agency, and the University of Salford—the data are being used to provide a greater understanding of the benefits trees can provide across the community. "A previous tree audit undertaken using basic aerial photography revealed some really interesting results, with levels of tree cover higher than expected, but very uneven," commented Mike Savage, operations man- ager of Red Rose Forest. "We were keen to extend the study across the entire region." Red Rose Forest is the Community Forest for central Urban trees contribute to the environment, ambiance and economy of Manchester. 20 GEO W ORLD / J UL Y 2O12 and western Greater Manchester, working with local communities, businesses and partners to develop well-wooded, multipurpose landscapes and improve the area's quality of life. Questions Red Rose Forest hopes the ProximiTREE data will help answer include the following: