Municipal urban forest management motivations and practices after a large-scale tree planting program

Keywords: Urban Forestry, Urban Forest Management, Tree Warden, Tree Planting Programs
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 40

Abstract

Urban tree planting programs have become a tool for governments and other organizations with goals of trying to create a more sustainable and equitable urban environment. Delivering the promised urban tree benefits requires trees to reach maturity amid a complex web of governance and stewardship that relies on numerous actors: residents, forestry or public works departments, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders. In particular, the work of stewardship, by said actors, has been shown to make a large difference in tree establishment success. For trees in the public realm (i.e., street trees, right-of-way trees, and park trees) questions remain about tree planting programs success as it can depend on how well the new trees fit into existing municipal frameworks including department structure, tree management and budget. This paper aims to understand these questions through a case study in Massachusetts involving a state-funded and -managed tree planting program in over 14 cities. Data was collected through structured interviews with tree wardens (municipal urban forest managers) to understand the various impacts management practices, municipal support and funding, and department structure may have on this externally funded and managed tree planting program. This work can demonstrate how governments can create a more equitable tree canopy, the resources required to do so, and the potential governance and stewardship difficulties they may encounter.