The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 - (Page 15)

“urban forest,” (for it truly is an urban forest) presents numerous challenges. Years of judicious pruning and care can be completely obliterated by a single low-bid contractor. A beautifully structured tree can be reduced to stumps (referred to as pollarding) in a matter of minutes. The value is lost forever, something this author has seen far too many times. Only one or two varieties of trees should even be considered for pollarding, and the annual pruning costs required thereafter needs seAccurate inventories of tree rious consideration and plant assets can also URBAN FOREST before the work is be monitored via GPS, (TREE) LAYER done. and can provide a wealth A number of Trees represent the highest of information to manage individual component value of irrigation and water use costs. Certified Arborists (or better, Consultthe landscape asset. That is, each ing Arborists) create tree inventories and tree can be worth several thousand can provide the information in either GIS dollars and represent literally years of or CAD formats, which can be incorporatinvestment. Managing an association’s required parameters are documented and retained in the GIS. Retaining the information in the GIS also allows the possibility of more-detailed review and analysis, and greater management control of water costs. In short, GIS merges science, technology, and the Certified Irrigation Manager’s experience (plus a little horse–sense) to maximize water resources and keep water costs within budget. ed into the association’s GIS and added as an additional layer. The information usually includes: • Tree tag numbers (number attached during tree inventory); • Genus, species, sometime variety, and common name; • Pruning requirements; • Pruning cycle (years); and, • Disease and insect-control requirements. This information is extremely useful in planning annual budgets and setting aside reserve funds for tree care. PLANT INVENTORY Plant information may already exist in various forms and needs only incorporation into the association’s GIS as a centralized information source. Some information may require discovery and documentation, but this is relatively easily gathered by a walk around the property. Typically this is a one-time effort, with only periodic updating of the information required. Some of the information usually included: Popular Association Banking We Make Loans and Provide Depository Services To Community Associations Project Financing • Concrete Restoration • Rooﬁng/Siding • Plumbing • Painting/Waterprooﬁng • Irrigation Systems • Elevators • Windows • Security • Insurance Premiums State-of-the-Art Lock Box Services • Regional Processing Centers • Automated Bill Pay Transaction Processing • Remote Item Processing • Internet Web-Based Technology - Image Capture of Checks & Coupons - Online “Stop” Orders - Online “Exception” Processing - Online Research • Automated Payment Posting • Direct Payments via ACH • Instant Bank Statements (e-statements) Contact our Regional Loan Ofﬁcer, Bryan Wong, today! Tel: 925-730-2183 or E-mail: Bwong@bpop.com www.associationbankers.com © 2007 A Division of Banco Popular North America. Member FDIC The Communicator • 15 http://www.davis-stirling.com http://www.bancopopular.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 Contents President's Message Eyes in the Sky Down to the Last Drop Ask the Experts - Budget Your Water Usage 2008 Events & Educational Calendar Welcome to CAI BayCen Index to Advertisers

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

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