trees

Event Aims to Map Downtown Louisville's Tree Canopy

Erica Peterson — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:21:47 +0000

Louisville’s Urban Design Studio is looking for help cataloging downtown trees.

Experts Say Tree Removed for Speed Expansion Was Only 60 Years Old

Erica Peterson — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:09:42 +0000

The Speed Art Museum has produced photos (see image) showing the supposedly 300-year-old tree that was removed last year to make way for the museum’s expansion. The first picture is from 1974, the second is more recent.

The Mystery of the Old Campus Oak: An Erica Peterson Adventure

Erica Peterson — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:45:51 +0000

WFPL takes a cue from film noir. Self-appointed tree detective Erica Peterson looks into the mystery of whether a recently-removed tree on the University of Louisville's campus was, in fact, more than 300 years old.

De-Treed For Speed: Museum Expansion Fells Oak Tree

Erica Peterson — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:27:11 +0000

UPDATE: Experts say the original estimate of the tree as more than 300 years old (made by a University of Louisville biology professor) is very inaccurate. This story's headline has been changed to reflect the new information. Click here for an update to the story.

Original post:

Retooled Louisville Tree App Focuses on Ash Trees

Erica Peterson — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

A few months ago, I reported that a new Metro Government app to encourage citizens to participate in cataloging the city’s tree canopy was available on iTunes. Now, the city’s tree commission has revamped the app, and changed its focus to ash trees.

Louisville Adds 166 New Trees to Downtown, Replacing Some Lost to Wind, Drought

Erica Peterson — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:47:12 +0000

Work has begun on replacing some of the dead trees and empty tree wells in Louisville’s downtown area.

There are more than 300 dead trees or vacant tree wells in downtown Louisville. Some of the trees fell victim to ice storms, some to strong winds, and some to drought. With money from Metropolitan Sewer District, Metro Government, the Louisville Downtown Management District and a donation from Tree Commission co-chair Henry Heuser Jr., 166 new trees will be planted over the next few weeks.

State Warns of Prime Wildfire Conditions Going Into Fall Season

Patrick DeSpain — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:30:00 +0000

The Kentucky Division of Forestry is preparing for a busy wildfire season in the wake of summer droughts. There’s also a danger that debris from spring tornadoes has created more “ground fuel,” posing a greater threat to firefighters.

Despite recent rainfall, moderate drought conditions still exist in 50 counties in north central Kentucky. In the far western part of the state, 25 counties remain under severe to extreme drought conditions.

Louisville Uses Partnership to Increase Tree Canopy

Devin Katayama — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:08:45 +0000

A regional waste management company has partnered with Louisville Metro Government to help increase the city’s tree canopy over the next decade.

Ecotech will work with Louisville’s Tree Advisory Commission, which was formed by Mayor Greg Fischer last year to help maintain and add to the city’s tree canopy.

Fischer helped plant the first three trees Friday and over the next 10 years, Ecotech has committed to donating 1,000 trees through its 10,000 Trees Partnership.

Air Pollution Control District Calls for Action on Local Heat

Cameron Price — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:35:05 +0000

Louisville’s Air Pollution Control District is taking a look at Louisville’s rising temperature. In a meeting today, board members discussed the city’s declining tree cover and how a lack of protective legislation is contributing to the problem.

Louisville recently placed first on a list of fifty cities suffering from rising temperatures. Georgia Tech University Professor Brian Stone described the city as the “climate change center of the United States.”

New Metro Government Tree App Technically Available, But Not Yet Functional

Erica Peterson — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:26:56 +0000

A new smart phone app currently in development would allow Louisville residents to participate in cataloging the city’s trees—as well as create a wish lists of sorts for more trees in their neighborhoods.

The “Louisville Tree” app will eventually allow users to peruse interactive maps of the city, along with pinpoints marking the locations of different varieties of trees. There’s also a way to report dying or unsafe trees to the city.