Urban Forestry

There are over 5,000 street trees within the City that are approaching 90 years of age. These trees have been damaged over the years by storms and impacted by the growth experienced by the City of Valley since its inception in 1980 causing some to be potential hazards to the City and its citizens. With KIA Motors building an automotive assembly plant on I-85 approximately 6 miles from Valley, this area is expecting tremendous growth in the next few years, growth that is certain to further impact the City’s urban forests. 

The City created a full-time arborist position and in March 2006, selected James Jackson to fill the position.

The aborist's duties are to care for the City's urban forests by:

• pruning
• checking the trees for diseases
• removing dead limbs and dying trees
• grinding stumps
• spraying for insects
• planting new trees to replace those that have died or have been removed
• teach classes to public works employees
• educate public on benefits of trees
  

James completed the CERTIFIED ARBORIST examination administered through the International Society of Arboriculture  (ISA) and the local chapter of the ISA process of obtaining certification by the  International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

The purpose of the ISA Certification Program is to improve the level of knowledge and standard of practice within the tree care profession. It is designed to assist the public in identifying those professionals in arboriculture who have demonstrated, through a professionally developed examination and education program, a thorough knowledge of tree care practices. All Certified Arborists carry a wallet identification card for verification. Certification is valid for three years. The ISA program tests and certifies an individual's knowledge in the field of Arboriculture. 

Having an ISA certified arborist will help ensure the health and safety of the City’s urban forests and ensure that the procedures established by the Tree Management Ordinance passed in 1995, the Tree Removal Procedures adopted in 1998, and any new procedures that will be established in the Urban Forest Management Plan will be adhered to. In addition, the arborist will interact with the public to educate and train them in the proper care and maintenance of trees belonging to the citizens of the City of Valley. In addition, James oversees the meetings of  the City of Valley's Tree Board in the continuing caring for the City's urban forests. The City's arborist has a close, working relationship with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.


James is a member of:

• International Society of Arboriculture
• Alabama Urban Forestry Association
• National Arbor Day Foundation