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022 <br />production decreases to the point where there is not enough leaf canopy to feed the tree root systems and <br />the Verticillium fungi in the soil spreads more readily into decaying roots versus healthy root systems. <br />Unfortunately, research by the United States Forest Service in relation to the possible impacts of climate <br />change on various tree species identifies the Norway maple is one of the species to suffer a higher <br />mortality rate due to the impacts of climate change. In short, Maple trees need a longer dormant period to <br />thrive - repeated winters with more frequent freeze -thaw periods with very warm temperature spikes in <br />January and February followed by freezing compounds the above and can increase the amount of fungi <br />infestations in all maple trees; but primarily Norway maples. <br />This impact also underscores the need to plant for greater tree species diversity. Norway maples were <br />over planted throughout Lakewood - it is our 2nd most common species (over 1,100 trees) - and many <br />streets are a monoculture of mostly Norway maples with only one or two other species as not much tree <br />species diversity was established within Lakewood until the past seven years. <br />One of the primary goals of the City of Lakewood Tree Action Plan is to continue to introduce more tree <br />species to all city streets. The city's plan for tree species diversity = high reward. To accomplish the goal <br />of increasing tree diversity and reducing the likelihood of large tree losses across the city, the city has an <br />established a benchmark that the total tree inventory contains no more than 3 0% of a single family, 20% <br />of a single genus, and 10% of a single tree species. <br />The City of Lakewood is well positioned with a regionally and statewide recognized tree action plan and <br />strategy in place to grow, maintain and expand our urban tree canopy on public property into the future. <br />Trees, whether on public or private property, contribute to the livability of the entire city and deliver a <br />benefit to us all in the ecological services and economic benefits that they provide. <br />What this most recent tree canopy assessment makes clear is that there is much work to be done to <br />increase our community reforestation efforts on private property. The single most significant effort that <br />we can make now to grow and increase our overall tree canopy comes at a very personal level — to plant a <br />shade tree on your property; preferably a larger species (not under power lines) to maximize the <br />environmental benefits that come from planting the largest suitable tree for the planting location within <br />your yard. <br />Chris Perry <br />Streets and Forestry Division Manager, Arborist <br />City of Lakewood <br />