Urban Trees and Urban Forestry
Improving life in cities and beyond with trees.
Local councils and property owners around Australia are grappling with the challenge of replacing many street and parkland trees that, at over 100 years old, are suffering structural defects and poor health. There is also a strong movement to grow urban forests for their social, environmental and economic benefits.
Our urban tree research is helping councils, property owners, the design community and construction industry to select the best urban forest trees for current and future climates, soil conditions and ecosystem service needs.
Projects
- Road edge treatments for stormwater reduction and street tree health
- The impact of urban tree removal in parks and streets on people and wildlife: Fact Sheet
- Relationship between urban tree performance and species’ climate of origin
Impact snapshot
Our work informs open space managers, planners and the community on the benefits and ecosystem services of urban trees. We have found that temperature increases attributable to the combined effect of the urban heat island and global climate change are likely to have a substantial impact on urban tree populations around the globe. Our street tree stormwater work has led to passive irrigation designs being adopted by local governments, using alternative water sources to irrigate street trees in existing streetscapes and new developments.
Researchers
Meet the people focusing on urban trees and forests and get in contact: A/Prof Stephen Livesley, Dr Sara Barron and Dr Camilo Ordóñez Barona.
Outreach
Our urban forest knowledge network brings researchers and practitioners together to share research and practical knowledge to help create resilient urban forests that deliver valuable ecosystem services. If you manage, work or are interested in urban forestry and want to know more contact Stephen Livesley or enrol in the Urban Forests Masterclass: the Australian School of Urban Forestry 2020