1. The City of Chico’s Citizen
Tree Planting Program
“Thanks” or
“Leaf Me Alone”
A 2012 Geography Department Master’s Project
by
Tristan E. Ragsdale
3. Benefits of Urban Forests
Physical and emotional
Environmental
– Absorb 33,000 lbs pollutants per year
– 1500 tons CO2 stored annually
– 20 million gallons water captured
Economic
– 30% less energy
– $2 billion savings annually with 100 million
trees
4. What is a Street Tree?
Street tree ownership within the City of Chico. Only trees planted within the ROW (right-of-
way) line are the city’s responsibility and where residents or business owners can plant a
street tree(s). Source: Denice Britton 2011.
5. Citizen Street Tree Planting Program
(CTPP)
Overview
Over 30,000 street trees in the City of Chico
Over 3,500 potential street tree sites
Survival rates
7. Denice Britton at a workshop demonstrating proper street tree planting technique. Photo: Scott Gregory.
8. Internship/Project
Assist in CTPP implementation
Determine the effectiveness of the CTPP
from the analysis of motivational and
disincentive responses
Make recommendations
16. Survey Results
Expected return rate of similar surveys is
30% (McLafferty, 2003)
21/37 (56%) of permit applicants returned
surveys
98/248 (40%) of non-permit applicant
participants returned surveys
17. Participant Response
Question One: Please check off the reasons why you have participated in the City
of Chico’s tree-planting program
Not a
A Factor Factor
Motivation for participation (1) 2 3 4 (5) N Value
Beautification 17 1 2 0 1 21
Property Value 5 2 3 1 6 17
Energy Savings 6 3 1 2 5 17
Wildlife Habitat 5 2 2 1 6 16
Privacy 1 0 2 2 8 13
Shade 15 3 0 0 1 19
"Free Tree" 10 2 4 1 0 17
"Improve Neighborhood" 15 2 1 1 0 19
18. Non-Participant Response
Question 1. Why did you not participate in the CTPP?
Reason for not participating in Not a
the CTPP and getting a street A Factor Factor
tree (1) 2 3 4 (5) N -value
Too much trouble 20 4 3 4 24 55
Not enough time 11 7 4 3 21 46
City's responsibility? 12 3 5 4 24 48
Government interaction? 6 4 4 3 28 45
Unable to plant 15 0 2 5 27 49
19. Qualitative Responses
Question #4 both questionnaires: comments
or recommendations for future CTPP
Positive (34/44)
“Keep doing it. As a participant I now have a
personal investment and interest in the
welfare of our new tree.”
Negative (10/44)
“We do not want any city trees.”
21. Recommendations
If possible, remove proof of homeowners
insurance requirement – umbrella insurance plan?
Involve non-profits or utility companies
– Butte Environmental Council
– PG & E
Create permanent internship
– Provide transportation
– Plant trees for those willing to water
– Door hanging brochure