Arborists and urban foresters can sometimes feel that arguing for having
more and better maintained urban trees and urban woods is an uphill struggle.
Although there is a general recognition amongst communities, politicians and
experts from other fields that trees provide a wide range of benefits, the
argument too easily shifts towards prioritizing other interests and seeing
trees as a nuisance. As a result, urban forests are under pressure from
development, budgets are cuts and residents are not entirely happy with the
urban forest around them.
During the past years, research from across the world has provided
compelling evidence for at least some of the benefits of urban trees. Studies
have demonstrated, for example, the many contributions that trees can make to
our health and wellbeing. Although not all mechanisms behind the tree – human
health connection are known, the health services of urban trees are seen as by
far surpassing disservices such as allergies and risks.
This presentation provides a framework for advocating the benefits and
roles of trees in our 21
st
centuries. Based on state-of-art
research, it shows the development of tree-city relationships over time, with
focus on tree contributions to healthy and vibrant cities. This is done in nine
steps, moving up Maslow’s pyramid of human needs. Trees provide us with (1)
Opportunity and livelihoods, by providing products and possibilities for
businesses. The represent (2) Diversity and the many cultural links between
people and nature, while they also can be symbols of (3) Resiliency, helping to
build up local communities after disaster has struck or climates have changed.
Good urban forests provide (4) Safe, green environments for us to live, work
and recreate. They can promote (5) Literacy, as they keep us and our children
with nature and help us learn and develop. The role of urban forests and urban
trees in promoting (6) Liberty is not always well known, but they have played
an important role in democratization processes and power struggles between
different groups in society. Trees and woods help build place and (7) Community
– and have contributed to social cohesion over time. A very important role is
their contribution to our (8) Happiness, either through providing playgrounds
for us to unfold, or by making our cities more aesthetic and inspiring.
Finally, urban trees and woods can stimulate (9) Creativity at different
levels, from famous artists to office workers who restore their attention when
looking out of their office window.
These nine keystones of community-tree relations are used to provide
direction for the development of arboriculture and urban forestry. Examples are
provided of how cities and towns have used one or more of the nine steps to
improve their urban forestry mindset and operations.