Union County has had an urban forester for over 15 years as a cost-share program between the County and the towns and cities in the county. The urban forester reviews new developments to preserve trees during construction and oversees replanting. They recommend revisions to development ordinances to improve outcomes for tree canopy and landscaping. And they lead analysis of urban tree canopy data.

The urban forester is also part of the County Extension Department where they provide education and outreach to a variety of audiences including homeowners and HOAs. Visit the website for information on tree health, insect and disease pests, and other related topics. They also provide school enrichment and introduce youth to nature as a career path. 

Urban Tree Canopy Data

Union County acquired GIS data in 2022 about our urban tree canopy. The public web-based viewer to learn more about the value of tree canopy is found here. A GIS story map provides a summary of trends and statistics about land cover in Union County. This data has been provided to all the town and cities in Union County to inform their decision making about trees and land use during development.

Union County Development Standards

Union County frequently requires that trees and landscaping be planted as part of development. Here are standards for tree planting. Trees are commonly rejected at inspection for being planted too deep and for being planted with excessive burlap and wire basket still attached. Click below for more information. 

• Tree Planting Examples
• Union County Species List
• Union County Standard - Root Correction Balled and Burlapped
• Union County Standard - Root Correction Container Grown Trees
• Union County Standard - Shrub Planting
• Union County Standard - Tree Planting

Useful Information on Trees

Real Estate Guide for Forestry Concerns - When marketing a home for sale, most sellers will either disclose any known issues up front, or perform repairs around the house to get the most value out of their home. One area that is not commonly considered by a home inspection is the landscaping on the property, in particular, the trees. The health and proximity of the trees to the house should be considered. Any remedial maintenance efforts, after the sale of the home, could be costly if there are diseased or dead trees on the property. A good example of this would be standing dead or dying pine trees infested with pine beetles. Removal of these trees may involve a significant investment to keep the property safe. And at certain times of the year, identifying these trees may be very difficult by an untrained eye. A careful inspection of the landscaping and trees on a property can help you sell your home or help avert any unexpected future costs. Union County recommends contacting an ISA Certified Arborist to assess the trees and identify any potential concerns on the property. If you are considering the purchase of a home that would involve significant construction (e.g., additions, demolition and re-development) we recommend you consult with the Union County Urban Forester to minimize tree impacts.

Trees Clean the Air while Producing Oxygen - Trees help cleanse the air through their respiration. They intercept airborne particles and absorb pollutants like Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), SO2, & NO2. They do this while producing the oxygen we breathe. (Nowak, David J., Daniel E. Crane, and Jack C. Stevens. "Air pollution removal by urban trees and shrubs in the United States." Urban forestry & urban greening 4.3-4 (2006): 115-123.)

Trees Control Noise Pollution - Trees are very effective at reducing noise pollution by 5-10 dB or greater. (Ow, Lai Fern, and S. Ghosh. "Urban cities and road traffic noise: Reduction through vegetation." Applied Acoustics 120 (2017): 15-20.)

Trees Increase Property Values - Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighborhood. Trees can increase the property value of your home by 10-15%, and make your home sell faster. (Kathleen L. Wolf. 2008. City Trees and Property Values. Facility Management Journal. pp 120 – 124.) (Donovan, G.H.; Butry, D.T. 2010. Trees in the city: valuing street trees in Portland, Oregon. Landscape and Urban Planning. 94: 77-83.)

Trees Fight Soil Erosion - Tree roots hold soil together and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil, preventing soil erosion which is a major pollutant of creeks and rivers. Trees act like a sponge, holding stormwater on their surface area and releasing it slowly, reducing spikes in local stormwater and preventing localized flooding.

Trees and Temperature Control - Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning. Studies have shown that urban environments without shade trees form "heat islands" where temperatures can be nearly 12°F higher than surrounding areas. In winter, trees act as a wind break, lowering heating costs. (Edmondson, J., Stott, I., Davies, Z. et al. Soil surface temperatures reveal moderation of the urban heat island effect by trees and shrubs. Sci Rep 6, 33708 (2016).

Trees Are Carbon Sinks - To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. A forest acts as a “sink” or storage area to absorb some of our CO2 emissions.