URBAN FORESTRY

'Urban forestry' is the care and management of urban forests, i.e., tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Urban forestry advocates the role of trees as a critical part of the urban infrastructure. Urban foresters plant and maintain trees, support appropriate tree and forest preservation, conduct research and promote the many benefits trees provide. Urban forestry is practiced by municipal and commercial arborists, municipal and utility foresters, environmental policymakers, city planners, consultants, educators, researchers and community activists.

Contents

Challenges of urban forestry

Urban forestry in the United States

References

Urban forestry organizations

See also

Challenges of urban forestry

Urban forestry is a practical discipline, which includes tree planting, care, and protection, and the overall management of trees as a collective resource. The urban environment presents the arboricultural challenges of limited root and canopy space, poor soil quality, deficiency or excess of water and light, heat, pollution, mechanical and chemical damage to trees, and mitigation of tree-related hazards. Management challenges include maintaining a tree and planting site inventory, quantifying and maximizing the benefits of trees, minimizing costs, obtaining and maintaining public support and funding, and establishing laws and policies for trees on public and on private land. Urban forestry presents many social issues that require addressing to allow urban forestry to be seen by the many as a advantage rather than a curse on their environment. Social issues include under funding, lack of management, drinking dens, or places of deviation.

Urban forestry in the United States

In the United States, federal urban forestry policy is overseen by the USDA Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture. Much of the work on the ground is performed by non-profits funded by private donations and government grants.
Policy on urban forestry is less contentious and partisan than many other forestry issues, such as resource extraction in national forests.

References

★ Nowak, D. (2000). Tree Species Selection, Design, and Management to Improve Air Quality Construction Technology. ''Annual meeting proceedings of the American Society of Landscape Architects'' (available online, pdf file).

★ Nowak, D. ''The Effects of Urban Trees on Air Quality'' USDA Forest Service (available online, pdf file).

★ Nowak, D. (1995). Trees Pollute? A "Tree Explains It All". ''Proceedings of the 7th National Urban Forest Conference'' (available online, pdf file).

★ Nowak, D. (1993). Plant Chemical Emissions. ''Miniature Roseworld'' 10 (1) (available online, pdf file).

★ Nowak, D. & Wheeler, J. Program Assistant, ICLEI. February 2006.

★ McPherson, E. G. & Simpson, J. R. (2000). Reducing Air Pollution Through Urban Forestry. ''Proceedings of the 48th meeting of California Pest Council'' (available online, pdf file).

★ McPherson, E. G., Simpson, J. R. & Scott, K. (2002). Actualizing Microclimate and Air Quality Benefits with Parking Lot Shade Ordinances. ''Wetter und Leben'' 4: 98 (available online, pdf file).

★ Hanson, Michael L.(1990). Urban & Community Forestry, a Guide for the Interior Western United States, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah.

Urban forestry organizations

★ Society of American Foresters

★ Alliance for Community Trees

★ International Society of Arboriculture

★ American Forests

★ TreeLink

★ Trees Are Good

★ TREE Fund

★ Casey Trees Endowment Fund

★ Tree City USA Program

See also

★ Arboriculture

★ Forestry

★ Silviculture

★ Planting strategy

★ Landscape architecture

★ Horticulture

★ Natural resource management

★ Alliance for Community Trees