URBAN FORESTRY

 Urban forestry is the careful management and care of tree populations or forests in the urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment.

In the urban settings, forest functions are often related to the human environment. Trees are usually selected, planted, trimmed, and nurtured by people, based on specific purposes. The benefits derived from urban trees depend on structural attributes such as species and location, as well as management activities that influence its growth, crown dimensions, and health. Mostly, Urban forest functions are geared toward human outcomes, such as shade, beauty, and privacy

Urban forests bring many environmental and economic benefits to cities. Among these are energy benefits in the form of reduced air conditioning, reduced heating by shading buildings, homes and roads, absorbing sunlight, reducing ultraviolet light, cooling the air, reducing wind speed and so forth.

Of late, trees in our urban areas are being destroyed carelessly with very flimsy excuses. Urban forestry is bedeviled with a major challenge of loss of green space due to rapid expansion of our cities. The general problem that needs to be addressed first is the poor land use management system which is a fundamental issue with regards to environmental conservation. Many are yet to come to terms with the vital roles forests (trees) play in sustaining life on earth. However, managers of urban forests must deal with species type preferable for specific purposes and also spacing due to the different root systems.

 No one can stop cities and towns from expanding but we should always incorporate trees and green space in city or town planning.