What is Urban Forestry?

At first, the term "urban forestry" may seem confusing. Most people think that forests are just hundreds of acres of woodland in rural areas. However, more than one-half of Kentuckians live in an urban setting and they are surrounded by an urban forest. Urban trees are those in an individual's yard, lining city streets, in a local park and along greenspace areas in and around cities. They provide a great deal of benefit to the urban landscape.

Urban forests are a valuable asset to the commonwealth of Kentucky. These forests should be managed for their social, economic and environmental benefits. Proper management can be obtained through a comprehensive urban forestry program that includes citizen support and a properly trained work force.

Urban forests provide three main benefits. The economic benefits that urban forests provide are definitely very important. Trees attract tourists and businesses by creating an inviting place to stay. They also increase the property value of homes and industrial properties; most people would choose a nicely shaded lot over a bare one. Finally, they can reduce the amount of electricity needed to heat and air-condition homes and businesses.

Secondly, trees in urban situations provide many environmental benefits, including providing food and habitat for wildlife. They also absorb carbon dioxide, replenish oxygen in the atmosphere and decrease the "heat island" effect. Heat islands are created by the combination of paved surfaces, lack of shade and heat retention of buildings and other structures.  Trees help our urban streams by reducing stream sedimentation through erosion, decreasing stormwater runoff and lowering the air temperature through shade.

Finally, people are also affected socially by urban forests. Trees add character and pride to the communities that they grace, create feelings of relaxation and well-being and promote a sense of community ownership. Urban forests also provide privacy, absorb noise and screen harsh scenery. 

The Kentucky Division of Forestry provides urban forestry technical assistance to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and private landowners. The main focus of the urban forestry program is to help communities develop long-term, self-sustaining urban forestry programs. One way this is being achieved is through the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program.

The division also assists with tree board formation and support, the development of tree ordinances, Arbor Day planning and Tree City USA applications.

To view Kentucky's Urban Forestry Strategic Plan click here. For more information about what your community can do to develop or improve their urban forestry program, contact Sarah Gracey, urban forestry coordinator or Peter Barber, urban partnership coordinator.

The Urban Forestry Strategic Plan is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file, which requires the FREE Acrobat Reader, available by visiting the Adobe Web Page. Please click here to download.