Forestry is the science or skill of planting, growing and managing trees and forests. What does this mean in a city or suburban setting? Urban settings present different challenges than trees would face in a forested area. Urban Forestry manages the trees in and around cities and suburban areas. It requires attention to issues not faced by trees in the forest. For example, trees in the forest do not require pruning, but in urban settings this becomes necessary for trees and people to live together in harmony.
Trees in urban settings face other challenges not experienced by their forest partners. Road salt in the winter and heat radiating off concrete in the summer are stresses not encountered in forested areas. Urban forestry accounts for these stresses when managing and sustaining a tree canopy for urban areas.
Why promote Urban Forestry? The benefits of trees are numerous for both city planning and individual homeowners:
- Trees greatly influence the social and economic atmosphere of a city or suburb
- Trees improve the aesthetics of a community
- Strategically placed trees help with energy conservation in both the winter and summer
- Trees improve air quality in traffic congested areas
- Trees promote wildlife diversity, acting as sanctuaries for endangered species
- Urban trees slow water runoff during storms, which decreases the likelihood of flood damage and improves water quality
What does this mean for the average homeowner? Maintaining and improving our landscape with a diverse selection of trees suitable for urban settings benefit the entire community and for generations to come!
Click here to read more about Urban Forestry in the Chicago area, published by The Morton Arboretum.
There are various training and degree programs at many universities and colleges throughout the world specifying in this area. Jobs are abundant for trained and skilled Urban Foresters. If you are interested in a career in Urban Forestry, check out our job board and get started today!
