Urban Forests and Trees A Reference Book

This book covers all aspects of planning, designing, establishing and managing trees and forests in and near urban areas. The disciplinary background of the authors is varied, ranging from forestry and horticulture to landscape ecology, landscape architecture and even pathology. The first chaptes deal with the benefits and functions of urban forests and urban trees. But main emphasis is given to the establishment of trees for urban uses, including identification and selection of species, provenances and cultivars and to the management of urban forests and urban trees. The reader will also find a chapter dealing with Geographic Information Systems as a planning and management tool in this field and another one which is dedicated to the development of management methods that ensure optimal coordination between aesthetics, infrastructure and growth rates for street trees. TOC:Introduction.- The Concept of Urban Forestry in Europe.- A History of Urban Forests and Trees in Europe.- Urban Forest Resources in European Cities.- Benefits and Uses of Urban Forests and Trees.- Urban Forest Policy and Planning.- Design of Urban Forests.- The Role of Partnerships in Urban Forestry.- Involving People in Urban Forestry - A Discussion of Participatory Practices throughout Europe.- Plant Quality and Establishment.- The Selection of Plant Materials for Street Trees, Park Trees and Urban Woodland.- The Abiotic Urban Environment: Impact of Urban Growing Conditions on Urban Vegetation.- Biotic Urban Growing Conditions - Threats, Pests and Diseases.- Management of Urban Woodland and Parks - Searching for Creative and Sustainable Concepts.- Information for Urban Forest Planning and Management.- Arboricultural Practices.- Research on Urban Forests and Trees in Europe.- Urban Forestry in Europe: Innovative Solutions and Future Potential.- Urban Forestry Education