Can We Save Money With Trees?

Mark Porter, Consulting Arborist

9:30 AM to 10:00 AM — Room 102

Learn how to use trees for not only enjoyment and increasing the market value of our neighborhoods, but also to save energy costs, lower storm water retention costs for your city, and to clean the air. Mark will share with us a free online program called iTree Design developed by the US Forest Service. This tool is intended as a simple starting point for understanding the value of individual trees or a small population of trees to a community. Anybody with a computer and internet connection can estimate tree benefits by strategically placing certain species of trees around your home or place of business. Users will gain an understanding of tree benefits related to greenhouse gas mitigation, air quality improvements, and storm water interception. With the additional step of drawing a building footprint and virtually “planting” or placing a tree, tree effects on building energy use can be evaluated.

Mark is a Consulting Arborist with 40 years in the tree care industry. In 1989 Mark was certified as an arborist by the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture. In 2006 he was accepted as a member of American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and graduated the ASCA consulting academy in 2007. Mark’s consulting work involves assisting attorneys, insurance companies, property owners, developers, and homeowners association.  

Mark has received training in tree failure analysis, advanced tree risk assessment, tree law, inventory and management for preservation of trees, tree pests, strategies for root conflicts, and practices and methods of tree appraisal from the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.  

Mark, is a member of the Green Riverside Leadership Summit team, is a board member of the Inland Urban Forest Council, and is co-founder of Greater Riverside Alliance and Advocates for Trees and the Environment (GRAATE).

951-354-TREE (8733), markstree@icloud.com