Urban forestry

This article is about use of trees in cities. For forests in cities, see Urban forest.

Urban forestry is the care and management of single trees and tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Also called urban tree canopy, urban forestry involves both planning and management, including the programming of care and maintenance operations of the urban forest.

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. Urban forests mitigate the effects of urban heat island through evapotranspiration and the shading of streets and buildings.

There are many environmental impacts that are associated with the inequity of the urban tree canopy. Strategically, planting trees is a proven method of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Wildlife is also attracted to urban forests for their increased surface waters due to reduced runoff in these areas. Forests that have been included in urban environments have shown beneficial effects for the residents who live there. Urban forestry has been shown to promote psychological healing, stress recovery, and to improve concentration and productivity. Street trees, if managed and cared for, are beneficial in creating sustainable and healthy communities. The inequitable distribution of canopy cover in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods has resulted in many social impacts that raise environmental justice concerns.

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