​i-Tree is a software suite from the U.S. Forest Service that provides urban forest analysis and benefits tools. i-Tree helps quantify the structure of trees and forests to determine the benefits that trees provide. i-Tree Canopy is  a tool within i-Tree that is used to provide a basic, but useful assessment of the tree canopy in a given area. 

The i-Tree Canoy process involves the following:

• Drawing of a project boundary onto Google Maps or loading of an ESRI polygon shapefile
• i-Tree Canopy randomly generates sample points and zooms to each one so you can choose from your pre-defined list of cover types for that spot.
• 500-1000 survey points are suggested; the more points you complete, the better your cover estimate for your study area.

Tree canopy and benefits are then estimated by i-Tree based on the results of the analysis. 

I utilized i-Tree Canopy to assess the tree canopy within the Buena Park neighborhood of Chicago, in which I live. The map below shows the boundary of Buena Park, along with a few of the sample points used in the analysis. I included only the parts of the neighborhood west of Lake Shore Drive, as these are the inhabited portions. 

Tree Canopy Percentage
i-Tree Canopy analysis showed that about 16.6% of Buena Park is covered in tree canopy, This is below the average of 21% for the entire Chicago region determined through a 2013 study, This is not too surprising, since the whole-Chicago study included dense urban areas like Buena Park but also more natural areas such as forest preserves. 16.6% canopy is therefore respectable given the urban nature of the neighborhood, and likely higher that most other areas in the city of Chicago. 

Tree Canopy Benefits
Other benefits of urban trees measured by i-Tree Canopy include carbon sequestration, ozone removal and particulate matter removal. The total benefit for each of these, measured in amount removed and dollar value, is below:

Carbon Dioxide sequestered annually in trees - 148.66 tons ($5,378.80)
Carbon Dioxide stored in trees - 3,748.16 tons ($135,632.54)
Ozone removed annually -  1,460.18 lb ($102.19)
Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns removed annually - 70.95 lb ($211.25)

I plan to further study the tree canopy of Buena Park to determine available public and private tree planting spaces, as well as ideal location for future tree planting. My goal is to determine the best places to plant trees in the neighborhood to maximize the return on investment of tree planting funds.

When I tell new acquaintances what I do for a living, they often ask me how I got into the field of urban forestry.  The truth is - I gained an appreciation for trees and the environment at an early age. While growing up, I spent many hours in the woods, lakes and parks of central and northern Wisconsin. I hunted, fished, rode my bike, sat by a lake, and took part in many other outdoor activities. Doing so led me to appreciate the benefits that nature and trees bring to people - beauty, clean air, solitude, among others. As a kid I always had it in my head that I would focus my future career on the environment somehow.















​
I applied to only one school for undergrad the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and its College of Natural Resources. When I first got to UWSP I became a wildlife management major, having pictured myself saving habitat for wildlife in some remote location. I soon switched to Urban Forestry however, as I thought it would offer me more of a chance to manage natural resources in urban areas where I thought I could have more of an impact. Hearing that the job prospects and potential income were better didn't hurt.

After graduating from UWSP I became an arborist for many of the same reasons I switched my major back years earlier. I have (mostly) remained in the field for the last 11 years. While I have held multiple jobs, my positions have always focused on conserving trees and other natural aspects of urban areas. More than one person has expressed jealousy that I have been able to follow my passion from childhood through my early 30s.

I often present the environmental benefits of trees to clients and audiences in terms of dollars saved by our urban forests, carbon sequestered, pollutants removed, etc. And while all of that is well and good, if the audience member doesn't have a personal connection to the nature they are hearing about I highly doubt they will take what I am saying to heart.

Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods is probably my favorite piece of literature that explains how important it is for people to experience nature while they are young. If I hadn't spent so much time in the outdoors as a kid, how could I possible appreciate the benefits that all things wild and free provide?

So let your kids play outside. Take them camping, fishing and hiking. We'll need many more urban foresters and related conservation professionals in the future.