Updated 03/07

Urban Forestry

Contents

• Introduction
• Information by Subject
• Reference Sources
• Links to Other Urban Forestry Resources

Introduction

The purpose of this page is to provide local government decision-makers with information about urban forestry in Washington State. State and local officials work with parks and recreation departments, land use planners, utilities, and citizen organizations to promote and manage urban forestry resources. Urban forestry is the management of urban forest ecosystems. These ecosystems may be varied or complex, in the form of city parks, watersheds, public rights-of-way, and other public lands. These ecosystems include trees, street trees, plants, animals, natural landmarks and waterways. The benefits of urban forests to citizens include heightened recreational and cultural opportunities, energy conservation, improved stormwater management, enhanced biodiversity, plant and animal enrichment, increased environmental educational opportunities, and higher economic and property values.

We would appreciate your comments, leads to additional useful information, and information about your jurisdiction's activities. Send your comments and information additions to Carol Tobin, Public Policy Consultant at ctobin@mrsc.org, or Sue Enger,  Planning Consultant at senger@mrsc.org, or call 206-625-1300.

Information by Subject

• Economic Benefit of Trees - MRSC
• Forest Practices - MRSC
• Guidelines for Developing and Evaluating Tree Ordinances - International Society of Arborists
• Gypsy Moth in North America - USDA Forest Service
• Interactive Plant List - Ohio State University
• Nuisance Vegetation
  • Noxious Weed Control - from the Mason & Grays Harbor Counties Washington State University Cooperative Extension
• Recommended Urban Plants
  • Seattle Street Trees - Seattle Transportation's lists of recommended trees to plant within local right-of-ways, planting schedules.
• Tree and Forest Stand Storm Damage Information Kit - from Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources.
• Tree Identification
• Urban Forestry Plans
  • Bainbridge Island Community Forest Management Plan, 2006 ()
  • Lacey Urban Forest Management Plan, 2006 ()
  • Olympia Urban Forestry Manual ()
  • Tumwater, WA Urban Forestry Plan
  • Vancouver, WA Urban Forestry Management Plan , 2007 ( 2.45 MB)
  • Walla Walla, WA Urban Forest Management Plan ( 2.93 MB)
  • Woodinville, WA Community Urban Forestry Plan, 1998 ( 2.46 MB)
• Urban Forestry Programs
  • Lake Forest Park - Tree Walks in Lake Forest Park (2.77 MB), prepared by The Urban Forest Task Force
    2006
  • Olympia NeighborWoods Program
  • Olympia Urban Forestry
  • Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation, Urban Forestry   

Reference Sources

• Local Ordinance Provisions
  • Tree Conservation/Management/Protection - MRSC
  • Street Trees - MRSC
  • Landscaping Provisions - MRSC
• State Statutes
  • Ch. 35A.80.040 RCW   - Code cities encouraged to provide utility customers with landscaping information and to request voluntary donations for urban forestry.
  • Ch. 76.09 RCW - Forest Practices
  • Ch. 76.15 RCW - Community and Urban Forestry
  • Ch. 80.28.300 RCW - Gas, electrical companies authorized to provide customers with landscaping information and to request voluntary donations for urban forestry.
• Administrative Regulations
  • Title 222, Washington Administrative Code - Forest Practices Board
• National Environmental Publications - Environmental Protection Agency
• Planning for Urban and Community Forestry - American Planning Association provides information preliminary to the publication of  a manual in collaboration with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American Forests (AF) - Includes literature review and case studies.
• Selected MRSC Library Holdings - Urban Forestry. [Note: Clicking on this link will take you to a list of documents available on loan through the MRSC library.]

Links to Other Urban Forestry Resources

Government Agencies

• National Agriculture Library, Natural Resources and Environment  
• United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources
  • Urban and Community Forestry Program - includes grant information

Private and Nonprofit Agencies

• American Forests - is the nation's oldest nonprofit citizen conservation organization
• ACRT, Inc - Private consulting group providing powerline clearing and urban forestry services and training to utilities, municipalities, and government agencies; as well as natural resource characterization and mapping.
• International Society of Arboriculture
• Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) has launched a new Hot Topic addressing the issue of urban forestry. The Hot Topic will include information on current news, funding and grant opportunities, publications, and links to relevant Web sites.
• National Agroforestry Center
• National Arbor Day Foundation
• National Association of State Foresters
• Pacific Northwest Trees Online - International Society of Arboriculture - Pacific Northwest Chapter
• Society of American Foresters
• Society of Municipal Arborists
• Tree Link - the community forest resource sponsored by the USDA Forest Service
• University of Washington Botanic Gardens - includes UW College of Forest Resources
• Urban Forestry for Public Works - American Public Works Association - Project  supported by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council.
• Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute - addresses the need for improved management of urban forests. UFEI provides a center for applied research and technology transfer.
• Washington Forest Protection Association - dedicated to managing private forests.

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