Here's a professional with a quick video on Instagram showing his process (similar to what we've been doing)... if it helps to see the before after by video, check this out:
Narberth Area Nature Stewards
Saturday, July 8, 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Narberth STC Presentation
Tonight we had the honor of presenting to the Narberth Shade Tree Commission.
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Winter 2023 - Narberth Area Tree Survey Completed
Abstract/Summary:
Our neighborhood tree canopy is a revered part of what defines the community; these trees:
- lift our property values
- supports the natural ecosystem
- improves our air quality
- helps manage our storm water
- protects against summer heat
Survey Summary:
- a curb walk survey was performed Dec 2022 - Jan 2023
- area is bounded inside Montgomery Ave, Wynnewood Ave, & Bowman Ave.
- about 3/4 of a square mile in area was covered, including all of Narberth
- photo data was compared against google maps / street view and then plotted
- 544 markers placed on the map (516 related to trees actively under attack)
- winter survey allowed for leafy english ivy vines to be observed while seasonal leaves are missing
- comparing collected photos to google map/street view data provided increased location accuracy
- historical timeline via google street view provided insight into speed of vine growth and in some cases lost trees due to ivy
- only trees visible in direct line of sight from street curb could be observed, trees behind buildings or other items could not be surveyed
- addresses are best guesses based on google maps house numbering and layout, the further the pin is from the street curb, the more difficult it was to make an educated guess at the exact location or address
- map pins track any visible leafed vine climbing a tree, most is english ivy, but it does not cover other invasive vines that are leafless in the winter and are less visible
- there is no rating for each point, it could be one attacked tree, or a small cluster. it could be an early stage attack or a fully mature one
- photos were posted to provide insight into the worst examples, but not all... and there is no specific match between a photo and a specific marker on the map
- general education of the public including a raised awareness:
- of the value of our tree canopy: financial, health, and environmental
- of the scope and intensity of the issue of vines attacking our tree canopy
- that it is our citizen duty to completely remove english ivy from properties in compliance with recently passed local codes denoting english ivy as an invasive species
- communication channels that could be leveraged:
- social media channels related to shade tree commission, local government, local gardening, and other environmentally focused groups
- local government newsletters and email channels
- sponsored postcard mailers to residents
- word of mouth, or door to door canvassing
- call to action within these communications:
- ask homeowners to remediate all climbing vines from trees by cutting a "one inch moat ring" around the base of the tree (on trunk close to ground, or around base of root flare on the ground) and maintain this yearly
- advise that vines not be pulled from trees as this could damage trees further, but instead allow vines to die off and decay naturally
- suggest that ivy (and other climbing vines) be completely removed from groundcover and property if possible
- request reporting of areas where property owners need assistance with this and support these requests with a small volunteer group, create a channel to collect and track these requests
- recruit a small group of volunteers across the borough to receive these requests providing consent to enter property and remediate for property owners in situations where they can't do it themselves
- recruit a small group of volunteers to approach public parks and other properties where no specific owner can be held responsible for this effort
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Trees Mapped - Sabine and North
The winter 2023 Narberth area tree survey has come to a conclusion... we added a few trees to the map for hope of future remediation.
Up N Wynnewood Rd to Montgomery Ave and Hansen Ct...
Finishing Montgomery Ave back to Sabine Park.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Trees Mapped - Around Narbrook Park
The winter 2023 Narberth area tree survey continues... we added a few trees to the map for hope of future remediation.
Around Narbrook Park...
Up N. Wynnewood Ave to Sabine...
Sabine to Conway...
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Trees Mapped - Sabine Park down Dudley
The winter 2023 Narberth area tree survey continues... we added a few trees to the map for hope of future remediation.
Started between Forrest Ave and N. Essex Ave...
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Trees Mapped - Iona to Montgomery
The winter 2023 Narberth area tree survey continues... we added a few trees to the map for hope of future remediation.
Started with Montgomery Ave between Haverford Ave and Iona Ave...
And the triangle between Iona Ave, Montgomery Ave, and Meeting House Ln...
Down Hampden Ave to Windsor...
N. Narberth Ave and Price Ave to Montgomery Ave...