Geneva works to keep its urban forest growing

Sept. 04--GENEVA -- Geneva City Council member Howard Anderson and Geneva Street Department Supervisor Tim Bittner are known as the city's resident tree-huggers.

It's for good reason, too. They've been in the forefront of Geneva's tree planting and maintenance programs for almost 10 years.

Anderson and Bittner are the main burners behind the Geneva'sTree City USA program. They attend conferences and seminars to make sure the city fully utilizes its trees for shade, beauty, the environment and keeping property values high.

"I've always loved trees," Anderson said. "But since I've been involved with the Shade Tree Commission and Tree City USA, I've learned how important they are to municipalities and to people in general."

Anderson and Bittner attended two events of note in 2014: The 2014 North Coast Urban Forestry Conference at Lakeland Community in Kirtland and Tree City USA in Wadsworth. The events produced valuable contacts with arborists, nurseries and researchers. Anderson gave a detailed update of his and Bittner's visits at an August Geneva City Council meeting.

"The events provided information about urban forestry on diseases and pests, what other cities are doing and changes at the state level in laws regarding urban forestry," he said. "We heard about the newest studies regarding trees that are salt-tolerant, disease resistant and utility friendly."

Geneva Street Supervisor Tim Bittner said the city received awards, plaques and year plates at Tree City USA in Wadsworth in May.

"The year plates go on street signs or poles and note how long we've been a Tree City," he said. "Cities must provide documentation on what they've done to promote tree growth and maintenance in a municipality to become a Tree City. We've done our homework and kept abreast of what's going on with urban forestry."

Anderson said a 12 inch Maple tree on someone's property adds considerable value to it. He added that trees reduce energy costs by providing shade in the summer and wind-breaking in the winter.

"Shade from trees has been shown to extend the life of paved surfaces and residential roofs," he said. "A 27 inch Northern Red Oak is capable of intercepting and using 4,176 gallons of storm water runoff per year."

The positive effects of trees and urban forestry are not only physical and environmental, but psychological as well, he said.

"Being among trees reduces stress and contributes to a general sense of well-being," he said. "A recent neighborhood study in Baltimore showed that a 10 percent increase in tree cover resulted in a 12 percent decrease in crime."

Anderson said comments made by motorists after tree-planting on Broadway in Geneva showed that they found the tree-lined streets more inviting.

Anderson said, "As far as property values goes, seven years ago there was an accident in front of my house that destroyed three Japanese yew trees. The driver's insurance reimbursed me with $600 for each tree."

Anderson said the city continues to map the location, age, size and health of its trees.

Tim Bittner said he's used what he's learned about urban forestry with both the street department and on his own and friends' properties.

"We do tree maintenance in the city on a daily basis, depending on the weather," he said. "We've actually used a lot of the arborists' knowledge we've picked up at conferences with our street crew."

Bittner said since trees add an actual dollar value to the city, his crew takes tree work seriously.

"Trees need to be regularly planted, pruned and maintained," he said. "It's an enormous effort, but well worth it. The city appreciates what we do, and I and others in the department actually enjoy it."

Fall pruning is starting, and Bittner and his crew will soon be even busier.

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