Urban Trees and Green Stormwater Infrastructure Research

This collection provides the most current research relating urban trees and forests with stormwater runoff.

Quantifying the benefits of urban forest systems as a component of the green infrastructure stormwater treatment network

The purpose of this literature review is to highlight the limited research performed, document areas of need for quantifying the benefits of urban trees for stormwater management, and provide a basis for providing credits for trees in stormwater designs.

Gravel Bed Stormwater Retention System - Greenhouse Demonstration Project

This project was conducted to better understand below-ground tree root morphology in gravel-based stormwater retention systems. read more...

Investigating the Stormwater: Quantity and Quality Impacts of Urban Trees

A webinar given by Bill Selbig and Rebecca Dohn on January 8, 2020 discussing current research regarding street tree debris and water quality as well as how Nashville views its urban forest as a stormwater management practice.

Tree Function in Stormwater Biofilters

The Minnesota Stormwater Seminar Series featured trees in bioretention systems as a stormwater runoff mitigation practice. This 2-hour presentation and panel discussion features Jon Hathaway, Research Engineer at University of Tennessee, and some of his stormwater research involving trees.

The Role of Trees in Urban Stormwater Management

Arboriculture deserves additional consideration as a stormwater control measure. The reliable use of trees for stormwater control depends on improved understanding of how and to what extent trees interact with stormwater, and the context-specific consideration of optimal arboricultural practices ...

Review of the Available Literature and Data on the Runoff and Pollutant Removal Capabilities of Urban Trees

The Center for Watershed Protection reviewed a total of 159 publications to evaluate the research questions defined in the scope of this project: 1. What is the effectiveness of urban tree planting on reducing runoff, nutrient and sediment, and 2. How does effectiveness vary by species, over time, ... read more...

Incorporating Forestry into Stormwater Management Programs: State of the Science and Business Model Evaluation for Nutrient Reduction and Volume Control

The overall goal of this project was to document the contribution of urban tree systems to stormwater nutrient and volume control in terms of their effectiveness at various scales, cost, desirability, and practicality.

Give Me the Numbers: How Trees and Urban Forest Systems Really Affect Stormwater Runoff (Manuscript)

Article published in Stormwater Magazine on-line October 2016 taken from a manuscript submitted for the StormCon 2016 Proceedings.

The Health of Trees in Bioretention: A Survey and Analysis of Influential Variables

This research study compared the health of trees in bioretention systems in TN and NC with trees in other open-grown, urban settings.

Urban Forest Systems and Green Stormwater Infrastructure

This document focuses on the effects of trees on urban stormwater runoff, provides some helpful urban forest management strategies to maximize stormwater benefits, and demonstrates several examples around the United States where the stormwater benefits of urban trees are credited for reducing ...

Trees to Offset Stormwater: A Study of 12 Communities

The Trees to Offset Stormwater project is a study of the role of urban tree canopy in taking up, storing and releasing water to reduce impacts from stormwater runoff. The nonprofit Green Infrastructure Center Inc. (GIC) developed the project with urban and community forestry program coordinators ...

Urban Forest Systems and Green Stormwater Infrastructure

The purpose of this draft document is to focus on the research-based effects of trees on urban stormwater runoff, provide some helpful urban forest management strategies to maximize stormwater benefits, and demonstrate several examples around the United States where the stormwater benefits of urban ... read more...