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WHAT IS URBAN FORESTRY?
Some have described urban forestry to be, "the preservation, planting, establishment and maintenance of trees and associated vegetation in cities, towns and communities, either individually, in groups, or in forested conditions." In more practical terms, urban forestry is the utilization and management of a vital natural resource (trees), in a variety of urban settings.
Why do we need trees? The most common answer to this question continues to be "aesthetics." The beauty of trees appeals to a wide range of people and is certainly a very important benefit. In urban areas, healthy trees can completely transform the hard lines and dull surfaces of any man-made structure. This alone has been shown to increase business in commercial shopping districts. More importantly than aesthetics, trees function as an integral part of a city's infrastructure, serving as insulators that cool summer heat and screen winter cold. Through this year-round temperature regulation, healthy trees can save home and business owners... and ultimately entire cities enormous amounts of money in energy costs. Trees also serve as natural air filters, cleaning the air we breathe by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. Also, through the absorption of stormwater, trees serve as soil stabilizers, reducing and often eliminating soil erosion. |
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Trees serve as water filters, absorbing chemicals and other pollutants from stormwater before they reach natural water systems. This natural means of erosion control and water absorption works directly to assist city stormwater drainage systems. Perhaps a relatively under publicized fact about trees is that they can be crime reducers. Scientific studies show that trees and natural areas are more peaceful and can have a genuine calming effect on people.
These and the many other benefits that trees present to urban areas are of vital importance. The benefits of healthy trees increase as those trees age, making the preservation and protection of intact stands of trees critical not only to the urban forest itself but also to the individuals living in and around it. Given these and their many other benefits, there should be no question that we should make every effort to insure the sustainability of one our greatest natural resources...
TREES!!!
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The concept of Urban Forestry continues to grow in Hoover. In 1996, the City
adopted its Tree Conservation Ordinance and has since hired a Landscape
Architect, a Forester and a Horticulturist to oversee urban forest management. In 1999, the City implemented the Hoover Memorial Trees Program, giving residents the opportunity to remember and/or honor friends and loved ones through the planting of trees. In 2000, the City gave official park designation to the now increasingly popular 250-acre Moss Rock Preserve. In 2003, the City adopted Ordinance # 03-1973 further protecting the park. Also in 2003, the City began renovation of 4, historic glass greenhouses located on the Spain Park property. To date, the renovation of three of those houses is 100% complete and the houses are completely full of growing plant material. The Hoover Beautification Board continues to be active in various programs such as Arbor Day, Growing Together, Keep Hoover Beautiful and the Hoover Commercial Beautification Awards. Most recently, in 2005, the City revealed plans to develop an 82-acre recreational park on Valleydale Road. Also in 2005, Hoover was awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the sixth consecutive year. The City is also proud to provide a home and continued support for Alabama's newest botanical gardens, Aldridge Gardens. |
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Hoover realizes the benefits of trees and is dedicated to maintaining sustainable urban forests. Through the preservation of natural areas, planting and replacement of trees, educational and various other programs, the City strives to create, as well as maintain, a quality environment for its residents and businesses. For more information on Urban Forestry please visit our FAQs page, our LINKS page, our recently added Tree Tips Archives page or just continue your search through our website. If you have specific questions or comments and would like to speak with someone directly, please call or email us as follows:
Sharon Nelson (Landscape Architect) @ 444-7743 or deeps@ci.hoover.al.us
Colin Conner (Forester) @ 739-7141 or connerc@ci.hoover.al.us
Kim Marlin (Horticulturist) @ 437-3657 or marlink@ci.hoover.al.us
THANKS FOR VISITING AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO...
PRESERVE AND PLANT MORE TREES!!! |
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