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Tree Canopy Cover Estimates The Center Township tree canopy map developed from QuickBird Satellite imagery and aerial photography is shown in Figure 1 below. Clicking on this image links to a higher resolution PDF map. Estimates derived from the map indicate about 7 square miles or 17% of the township is covered with tree canopy (Table 1). Spatial patterns revealed in the map include lower canopy cover in the Indianapolis downtown area (Figure 2), and higher canopy cover in selected neighborhoods, along stream corridors, and in parks and cemeteries (e.g. Figure 3). Woodruff Place provides an example of a neighborhood with higher tree canopy cover than surrounding areas (Figure 4).
Percent tree canopy
cover by general zoning categories is summarized in
Table 2 below. A map of the zoning categories is available
on the site selection model page of this website.
The highest percent canopy cover occurs in parks, as might be expected.
Canopy cover in residential areas of Center Township was second highest at
approximately 23%. Center Township's residential areas, however, are
slightly below the 25% canopy cover recommended by
American Forests
for urban residential areas east of the Mississippi River. The
Indianapolis central business district, university, and hospital zoning
categories had the lowest percent canopy cover, all at around 4%.
American Forest recommends canopy cover of 15% in central business
districts, significantly higher than current conditions in Indianapolis.
Percent canopy cover in hot spots identified in the site selection model was significantly lower than the township average for residential areas. Table 3 below provides percent canopy cover estimates for the eight hot spot neighborhoods. Hot spot neighborhoods had on average 9% less tree canopy cover when compared to all residential areas in the township.
Planting to Meet Canopy Cover Goals Table 4 below presents calculations estimating the number of trees that would need to be planted to meet the 25% canopy cover goal for urban residential areas in the eight Center Township hot spot neighborhoods. These calculations assume 133 square feet of coverage per tree, the average for urban trees reported by American Forests.. Similar calculations were made to estimate the number of trees that would be needed to meet the recommended 15% canopy cover in the Indianapolis central business district (Table 5). Collectively, these calculations indicate that planting approximately 84,000 trees in the hot spot neighborhoods and central business district could raise tree canopy cover to levels recommended by American Forests. Table 4. Trees Needed to Achieve 25% Canopy Cover in Residential Hot Spot Neighborhoods
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