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City forester warns Boulder's urban canopy is under pressure, urges funding to reduce pruning cycle
Summary
The city's forester told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that Boulder's urban tree canopy baseline is 22% but is declining in some neighborhoods. Climate extremes, pests and development are the main drivers; staff urged new funding to shorten the city's pruning cycle and support proactive tree care.
Kathleen Alexander, the city forester, told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on March 1 that Boulder's urban tree canopy needs additional investment to remain resilient.
The presentation summarized the State of the Urban Forest report and the city's progress implementing the 2018 Urban Forest Strategic Plan, noting the city now uses newer mapping methods and a 22% canopy baseline but is seeing localized canopy loss in older neighborhoods such as University Hill.
Alexander said the report identifies three main causes of canopy decline: climate change (more frequent severe weather and extreme temperature swings), insect and disease pests and tree loss associated with development. She highlighted a pest complex affecting mature red oaks (described in the meeting as "Drippy Blight and Kermes Scale") and said Emerald Ash Borer is being…
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