Modeling Survival and Consequent Replacement Needs in a Street Tree Population

Abstract

The limitations of basing street tree replacement rates on the rate of recent tree removals are examined, using recent inventory data from Syracuse, New York. Survival models from available information on the city's four major street tree species show that survival of recently planted trees dominates the rate of replacement needed to maintain the population, whereas the longevity of older trees has much less effect. Similarly, good care of developing young trees will reduce replacement needs more than will maintenance to prolong the life of older trees.