Authors: McPherson, Greg¹; Simpson, James R.²; Peper, Paula J.³; Maco, Scott E.⁴; Xiao, Qingfu⁵

Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 103, Number 8, December 2005 , pp. 411-416(6)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

Abstract:

Increasingly, city trees are viewed as a best management practice to control stormwater, an urban-heat–island mitigation measure for cleaner air, a CO₂-reduction option to offset emissions, and an alternative to costly new electric power plants. Measuring benefits that accrue from the community forest is the first step to altering forest structure in ways that will enhance future benefits. This article describes the structure, function, and value of street and park tree populations in Fort Collins, Colorado; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Bismarck, North Dakota; Berkeley, California; and Glendale, Arizona. Although these cities spent $13–65 annually per tree, benefits ranged from $31 to $89 per tree. For every dollar invested in management, benefits returned annually ranged from $1.37 to $3.09. Strategies each city can take to increase net benefits are presented.

Keywords: urban forest valuation; economic analysis; urban forest management; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: Research Forester USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Plant Science University of California MS-6, One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616, Email: egmcpherson@ucdavis.edu 2: Forest Meteorologist USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Plant Science University of California MS-6, One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616, Email: jrsimpson@ucdavis.edu 3: Ecologist USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Plant Science University of California MS-6, One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616, Email: pjpeper@ucdavis.edu 4: Urban Forester USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Plant Science University of California MS-6, One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616, Email: SMaco@davey.com 5: Research Scientist Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources University of California One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616, Email: qxiao@ucdavis.edu

Publication date: 2005-12-01

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