![Sample our Urban Studies journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110826/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Urban-Studies.jpg"})
Abstract
Urban tree planting initiatives (TPIs) have become a prominent form of public work that has the potential to increase the livability and sustainability of cities. However, if not sufficiently resourced and thoughtfully planned and implemented, these high-profile programs may fail to achieve intended goals. To promote successful implementation of TPIs, we offer recommendations for the pre-planting, installation, and post-planting phases. During each of these phases we present five cross-cutting themes: ensuring adequate funding for all project phases; cultivating place-based landscape design; engaging and investing in communities; implementing sound planting practices; and evaluating performance and adapting over time.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful for the many advocates and professionals who plan and steward urban forests, because conversations with these individuals inspired our writing. We also thank Dana Coelho, Danielle Gift, Lauren Marshall, and Pete Smith for comments on a draft of this article and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Urban and Rural Development, which hosted Theodore Eisenman as a visiting research fellow during final revisions on this article.
Research Support
This research was supported through a University of Massachusetts-Amherst Faculty Research Grant and the USDA Forest Service annual research appropriations. The findings and conclusions of this publication are those of the authors and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. government determinations or policy.
Declaration of Interest
The authors have no conflict of interests pertaining to this article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Theodore S. Eisenman
THEODORE S. EISENMAN ([email protected]) is an associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst.
Lara A. Roman
LARA A. ROMAN ([email protected]) is a research ecologist with the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station and Northern Research Station.
Johan Östberg
JOHAN ÖSTBERG ([email protected]) is director of the Nature Based Solutions Institute.
Lindsay K. Campbell
LINDSAY K. CAMPBELL ([email protected]) is a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, based at the NYC Urban Field Station.
Erika Svendsen
ERIKA SVENDSEN ([email protected]) is a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, based at the NYC Urban Field Station.