Urban and Community Forestry
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
- Landscape Manual. This publication from the Louisa County Forester is a guide to help protect existing trees as well as provide information and guidance on selecting, planting and maintaining new trees. Also available in a print version (English; PDF format).
- Landscape Plants. This site offers resources for practical urban forestry.
- Trees and Powerlines.
- Trees and Hurricanes.
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.
Municipal Tree Restoration Program (MTRP), a Trees and Utilities program
- Prevent tree topping by planting utility-friendly trees
- Development of Utility Line Arboreta
- Possible trees to use under overhead utility lines
- List of MTRP Members
- Trees and Shrubs for Overhead Utility Easements - read the VCE publication
- Rappahannock Electric Cooperative - Right-of-way maintenance
Upcoming Events
- Grants are now available for Urban and Community Forestry projects.
- Learn about Arbor Day in Virginia!
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
- Scenic Virginia Web site.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Urban Forestry
- Urban Forestry at Virginia Tech
- Mid-Atlantic Chapter of ISA
Presentations:
- Value and Importance of Urban Forestry (English, PowerPoint)
Additional Urban and Community Forestry Information
- American Forest
- Arbor Day
- Arboretum at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia.
- Backyard Forest Stewardship Program from the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
- The Evergreen Foundation, dedicated to restoring natural areas in the urban environment through education and community action projects
- Fairfax ReLeaf
- Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Virginia
- 50 Careers in Trees
- ISA on-line
- ISU Forestry Extension
- National Arborist Association
- National Association of Home Builders
- National League of Cities
- Nebraska City, Home of Arbor Day.
- Suburban Whitetail Management of Northern Va.
- Urban Sprawl (NASA Web site).
- U.S.D.A. Urban and Community Forestry Web site
- Treelink, a resource for Community Forestry.
- Urban Forestry Assistance Program from the Ohio Division of Forestry.
- Virginia Urban Forest Council/Trees Virginia
- Tree Health Care Compendium
- WWW Forestry Library
Last modified: Tuesday, 17-Mar-2009 09:02:18 EDT