as 36.4%. In addition, large areas of potential remnant forest could be wiped out as a result of site design that does not involve planning around existing trees up front. Changing the current landscape standards to include a greater emphasis on tree preservation and placing a focus on the benefits of retaining older, established, larger sized trees rather than clearing forest and then planting greater numbers of young trees can help to reverse this effect. It’s important to note that the undeveloped areas currently encompass much of Edmond’s existing Cross Timbers and potential remnant forest. Given the environmental and cultural significance of this important ecosystem, a carefully balanced approach to development is necessary in these areas. Ope n Space
The Open Space land use includes park land and golf courses, and like the Undeveloped land use it also includes much of the area identified as potential remnant forest. Open Space is the third largest land use area, encompassing 12.12% of Edmond with 6786.54 acres. The City has retained the natural landscape in many park land areas, which influences the Open Space land use standing as the third highest ratio of UTC, at 37.4 %. Arcadia Lake falls into this land use, and the federally owned natural areas along the perimeter of the lake greatly influence the UTC level within Open Space in Edmond as well. The Parks and Recreation Department actively plants trees throughout Edmond parks to provide shade for park patrons and to frame activity areas. Through these efforts, UTC in park land will likely stay relatively the same or could potentially increase.
Depending on the change in land use, an undeveloped lot could see a reduction in UTC of as much as 36.4%.
i nst i t u t iona l
In the areas including public school grounds, University of Central Oklahoma’s campus, and non-park City owned property, 23.8% of the ground surface spans beneath tree canopy, in the fourth highest UTC land use area. The Institutional land use incorporates any school, university, or City property that is not a park, and these areas add up to 1351.98 acres, or 2.42% of Edmond city limits. One large City-owned property contributing to the UTC percentage is the Cross Timbers Complex, which houses Public Works Administration and Edmond Electric. When it was built in 2006, the City met landscaping requirements by preserving 24 acres of native Cross Timbers forest on the 137 acre lot, in addition to planting new trees around parking areas and along the entrance road. Many other buildings owned by the City of Edmond are surrounded by trees in the streetscape, but not all City properties have been assessed for opportunity to plant new trees. University of Central Oklahoma maintains a heavily planted landscape throughout campus, providing shade for students and contributing to the beauty of the institution. Programs such as Shade Trees on Playgrounds, established by the Tree Bank, may contribute to installation of new trees on school properties and an increase in tree canopy Continued on p. 24
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