Research on the Value of Individual Trees within an Urban Footprint

Hi Paula,

In Portland, we use a combination of tactics to protect trees by increasing public awareness about the value of the urban forest. Here are a few of the things we're up to. The city partners with local nonprofit Friends of Trees in the effort to teach people about the value/benefits of trees--and ultimately to increase planting/caretaking of trees. We have a small urban forestry education group that offers Neighborhood Tree Steward training to citizens who want to be local experts in their communities. The city also offers heritage tree status/protection for significant (generally big and old) trees. We did an assessment of our urban forest canopy in 2007, and the results of that work have catalyzed many other projects in support of the urban forest in the city (notably, a review of the city's tree codes to improve tree protection). I'm including a few links below for more information. Feel free to contact me with questions.

Best,
Jennifer

NTS: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=45124
Heritage Trees: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=40280
Canopy Report: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=171829

Jennifer Karps
Grey-to-Green Canopy Coordinator
City of Portland Environmental Services
United States

Take a look at American Forests CityGreen software: http://www.amfor.org/productsandpubs/citygreen/

We've used it here in West Michigan (US) to value urban canopy.



Elaine Sterrett  Isely
Grand Valley State University
United States

Thank you everyone for your advice so far. Very much appreciated!

There are some great research leads here, which I'll now start following.

Thanks!

Paula Weston

Paula Weston
Principal Adviser, Media and Marketing
Redland City Council
Australia
www.redland.qld.gov.au

Hi Paula

Check out:

http://www.irrigationfutures.org.au/news.asp?catID=9&ID=679

This may have some useful background information relevant for your program.

Cheers

Andrew

Andrew Porter
Principal - Water Savings
URS Australia Pty Ltd
Australia

I know that Prof Jamie Kirkpatrick and Dr Aidan Davison at the University of Tasmania have a current funded research project that is related to this issues (urban gardens in particular). I am sure they could point you in the direction of relevant research, if not their own.

Anna Lyth
Associate Director
Rare Consulting Pty Ltd
Australia

I commend your initiative in Redland, Australia. We are trying to take trees seriously here in Canada too; after all the maple leaf on our flag. We're now putting a great deal of value on trees for their individual contribution to life in cities.

The Urban Forest all of the trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, soil, birds, etc. in a city also known as "Green Infrastructure", provides a population with tremendous social, environmental, and economic benefits. I imagine the majority of the research around this subject you wish to focus on is about trees; the biggest part of this green infrastructure.

Two cities in particular have made significant advances here in Canada with respect to applying research about the benefits of trees in the city; Oakville, and Ottawa. In the document link below you will see reference to "UFORE", which is a model developed in the US "Urban FORest Effects" model. You will note Oakville's document is the result of conducting a city-wide analysis. You can download their solution to pollution document here: http://www.oakville.ca/Media_Files/forestry/UFORE.pdf

Also a great resource is Ottawa's municipal-level "greenspace" committee: http://www.ottawaforests.ca/city_trees/values_e.htm

Our Urban Forest Program at Peterborough Green-Up is also working with council to update policies around the urban forest in order to recognize the benefits of trees in the city: http://urbanforest.greenup.on.ca/resources.html

Keep it up!

Chris Gooderham
Program Coordinator
Our Urban Forest, Peterborough Green-Up
Canada

The Institute for Environmental Solutions in Denver, CO, USA, has a project called the Tree Project, the goal of which is to identify how trees can be used to optimize energy and water conservation, mitigate climate change and improve air quality. They're doing work on urban forestry which you might find interesting (http://www.i4es.org/treeproject.html). Check out the TreeScapes program (linked to at www.i4es.org, lower right-hand corner) for ideas on how to take complex information about proper tree selection and placement and turn it into something that is easily accessible and understood by homeowners.

Best of luck!

Sara Klingenstein
Research Associate
Institute for Environmental Solutions
United States

Contact the International Society of Arboriculture - there should be a chapter in Australia. You can also check out this web page - http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_benefits.aspx
Good luck!

Karen Scopel
Natural Resource Planner
City of Greeley
United States
www.greeleygov.com