Northport’s tree canopy is 66% (Table 20). Other vegetation comprises 22% of the land cover, which is excellent compared to any other Michigan community. Impervious surfaces (buildings and roads) make up only 9% of the land cover. Northport's village boundaries extend well beyond the residential and built areas and include sizable pieces of forested lands which has the effect of increasing the overall village canopy.
All maps for this village can be found in the Story Map. Some of the maps are illustrated below to feature village canopy interests.
The outskirts of the village—particularly in the southern and northern areas which are not highly populated and contain large tracts of forested land—have the greatest canopy cover. The areas along the main streets in the downtown area, along Mill Street north of 8th Street, and around the Northport school, assisted living facility, and the boat storage and docks have the greatest amount of impervious area.
All maps for this village can be found in the Story Map. Some of the maps are illustrated below to feature village canopy interests.
The outskirts of the village—particularly in the southern and northern areas which are not highly populated and contain large tracts of forested land—have the greatest canopy cover. The areas along the main streets in the downtown area, along Mill Street north of 8th Street, and around the Northport school, assisted living facility, and the boat storage and docks have the greatest amount of impervious area.
Some of the streets with the least canopy along the ROW include West Nagonoba from the docks to South High Street, South Wing Street, South Waukazoo Street, and sections of Rose Street, Mill Street, 7th Street, 8th Street, North Warren Street, Ransom Street, and East Casperson Road (Figure 15).
The tree canopy percent by census block analysis can be used as a supplemental tool to determine which neighborhoods are in most need of planting. For Northport, the tree canopy percent analysis reveals that the residential and commercial areas in downtown Northport are in highest need of tree canopy cover.
The planting priority levels map layer can be used to focus in on the locations in which plantings may deliver the most benefits in terms of ecosystem benefits and overall benefits to the community. Northport can use this as a guideline for deciding where future trees can be planted to have the greatest impact on benefits and stormwater runoff. Of the 205 plantable acres, 36% of those acres (75 acres) are listed as Very High or High planting priority (Table 21). If only the Very High and High priority planting areas are planted, Northport could achieve 73% tree canopy.
The areas that contain the highest priority levels for tree planting are concentrated between 8th St and Route 22, which includes around the Northport School and assisted living facility as well as at Bay Front Park and the esplanade just north of the park (Figure 16).
Stormwater runoff is at the forefront of Northport’s concerns, as Northport abuts the Northport Bay. The special analysis performed for Northport of the catchment basins (areas that collect water before drainage into the bay) can pinpoint where water flows throughout the village (Figure 17). This is important because this shows the areas where the most water will flow, and thus the areas most susceptible to the effects of erosion and sediment loss. As trees intercept large amounts of stormwater, thereby reducing runoff and mitigating pollutants, changes in tree canopy along the catchment areas have substantial impacts on water quality. Expanding tree canopy along the catchment areas may provide simple opportunities to meaningfully influence water quality. Planting trees along and near the outlets of the catchment basins can help decrease erosion and slow the flow of water as the roots absorb water heading towards the bay. The catchment runoff map is shaded by percent contribution to the bay. The areas with the highest percent runoff are shaded the darkest brown and should be targeted areas for planting trees.
Takeaway. Northport can increase canopy in targeted areas to have the greatest benefit to stormwater runoff and water quality in the Northport bay. The planting priority level map layer can be used in conjunction with the catchment runoff layer to determine the best places to plant trees to maximize air quality benefits and reduce runoff. Any area that contributes more runoff and is a recommended Very High or High priority planting area on the priority planting area map layer should take the highest priority in planting.