Interactive Tree Map Helps UK Land Tree Campus USA Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 26, 2019) — Just in time for Arbor Day, the University of Kentucky has once again been awarded the title of Tree Campus USA. This is UK's eighth straight year for the designation. The Tree Campus USA 2018 award is presented in spring 2019. 

The award, given by the Arbor Day Foundation, has five standards that must be met in order for a college or university to be receive a Tree Campus USA designation:

• The campus must have a Tree Advisory Committee.
• The campus must have a campus tree care plan.
• The campus must have a tree program with dedicated annual expenditures.
• The campus must partake in an Arbor Day observance.
• The campus must have a service-learning project.

As part of the standards for the campus tree plan Stacy Borden, the arboriculture superintendent for UK, and his team created an interactive tree map. Together, they have mapped more than 11,000 trees on UK’s campus to identify the type of tree and its size.

The tree map also displays each tree’s benefits including storm water interception, energy conservation, carbon dioxide sequestration and monetary benefits.

“The campus inventory was created to help with the management of the campus trees. By identifying the genus, species, diameter and condition we are able to apply this information to help planning for future plantings to increase genus and species diversity on campus,” Borden said.

The map is used within Facilities Management to develop pest and disease treatment schedules, to develop inspection and pruning schedules, and to produce tree protection maps for development projects.

UK has also hosted many other tree related projects that contributed to receiving this honor including, Mulch Mondays, the Urban Forest Initiative (UFI), tree planting days and the Adopt-a-Tree Challenge.

“Our participation in the Tree Campus USA program is really due to the efforts of the Urban Forest Initiative. Without their hard work of raising awareness about the importance of trees and their collaboration with the UK Grounds Department, we would not have come as far as we have,” Borden said. “The decision to create the position I am in and bringing the campus tree care in-house further demonstrates the university’s commitment to our trees. The partnership that exists with UFI, the grounds department, the Office of Sustainability, faculty and students is truly the most rewarding aspect of this job.”

An official presentation of the Tree Campus USA award will be made Saturday, April 27, at The Arboretum as part of the Arbor Day celebrations.

 The 28th Abor Day Spreading Roots Program is a joint effort between the University of Kentucky and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government with support by presenting sponsor Kentucky Utilities Company and hickory sponsor Kentucky American Water Company.