Urban Forestry Manual (c) - Benefits and Costs of the Urban Forest

Urban forests are all the trees and other vegetation that grow in places where people live, work and play, from small communities in rural areas to large metropolitan cities. This includes trees on public and private land, along streets, in residential areas, parks and commercial developments, and in other locations within a community. They may be planted by design or grow by accident (Miller 1988).

This unit will help you understand and communicate the many advantages of and the expenses associated with the growth and management of urban forests. The major benefits are discussed in the first section of the unit, although it is impossible to list all the values received from trees. The costs of urban forestry are included in the next part with suggestions on how these costs can be reduced through education and proper planning.

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