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.
Forestry Fast Breaks - YouTube Videos
- Virginia Urban Forests
- Virginia Urban Forest Wood Usage
- Virginia Urban Forest Benefits
- Renewble Resources
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.
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
- Luray Hawksbill Greenway is a great example of an urban greenway that has become a focal point for the community www.hawksbillgreenway.org
- Community Forest Storm Mitigation Planning I PDF I
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.
Programs
Green Infrastructure in Virginia
From 2007 to 2013 the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) conducted a statewide field test of green infrastructure planning in Virginia. The results are published in this Planning Guide.
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.
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). B
- 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).
- 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:
- VDOF Approved Replacement Species List for Ash Removal and Replacement Cost-Share Program Application (17.6)
Arbor Day
- 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
Additional Urban and Community Forestry Information
- Visit our Links page for these online resources.
Last modified: Monday, 03-Aug-2020 16:30:23 EDT
