Urban and Community Forestry

What Is A Tree Worth? Trees brighten city streets and delight nature-starved urbanites. Now scientists are learning that they also play a crucial role in the green infrastructure of America’s cities.

Value of Urban and Community Forests

Forested neighborhoods have less crime, less pollution, reduced energy costs, higher resale value, and higher “Quality of Life” than similar open areas.

In 1995, the annual energy conservation value of trees in Fairfax County exceeded $330 million dollars.

Community Tree Care

Ordinances

Do you want to create a tree care program for your area? The links below offer examples of ordinances that communities can use to develop and maintain a positive urban forest environment.

  • Virginia Tree Ordinance Database, for assistance in developing your community tree ordinances.
  • The Southern Region of the USDA Forest Service contains sample tree ordinances, a training manual, news from around the South, and many useful links: www.urbanforestrysouth.org

Many community forests are not functioning to their capacity. Find out how to get the most out of yours through using this informative 10 chapter reference guide: Restoring the Urban Forest Ecosystem. This site also offers a tree selection guide for 680 species of urban trees.

You can take a Virtual Tour of the Forest and learn more about Urban Forestry.

Programs

Promoting Sustainable Residential Development to Conserve Forestland Resources - Materials related to the Sustainable Development in Forestlands project - including development and management guidelines, workshop results, and ordinance provisions.

Landscaping

Tree Information

  • Coastal plain community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planning. This report quantifies benefits and costs for representative large, medium, and small broadleaf trees and coniferous trees in the Coastal Plain region. The analysis describes "yard trees" (those planted in residential sites) and "public trees" (those planted on streets or in parks). Benefits are calculated using tree growth curves and numerical models that consider regional climate, building characteristics, air pollutant concentrations, and prices.
  • Piedmont community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting. This report quantifies benefits and costs for small, medium, and large broadleaf trees and one coniferous tree in the Piedmont region. The analysis describes "yard trees" (those planted in residential sites) and "public trees" (those planted on streets or in parks). Benefits are calculated using tree growth curves and numerical models that consider regional climate, building characteristics, air pollutant concentrations, and prices.
  • How homeowners can improve tree canopy - information from the networx website.
  • Tree Canopy Spread & Coverage in Urban Landscapes:
  • Urban Tree Canopy Analysis of Virginia Localities:
  • Street Tree Assessment of Virginia Localities:

Municipal Tree Restoration Program (MTRP), a Trees and Utilities program

Upcoming Events

Tree City USA

A national recognition program that provides a basis for a good community forestry program. Cities must meet four program criteria as follows:

  • a tree ordinance
  • a tree advisory board
  • spend $2 per capita on their community tree care program
  • hold an Arbor Day celebration and proclamation

Applications must be submitted annually to maintain Tree City USA status. For more information on the program go to arborday.org

Additional Information

Presentations

Additional Urban and Community Forestry Information

Last modified: Wednesday, 11-Jan-2012 11:30:31 EST

Forestry in My County
Learn more about the county where you live.

Forestry Consultants
Find a forestry consultant in Virginia.

Logging Notification
Loggers must notify us of their timber harvests.

Urban and Community Forestry
Do you live in a suburb? Learn how trees benefit cities and towns.

Rain Gardens
These man-made depressions in the ground collect water runoff and store it, so it can be filtered and slowly absorbed by the soil.

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