The Urban Tree Project
Urban forests provide countless environmental, economic, and wellness benefits to a city’s inhabitants. However, changing weather patterns and urban development mean that to efficiently achieve these benefits cities need to plant trees that will be able to thrive with minimum maintenance for decades as well as protect the trees currently within their urban forest.
The Urban Tree Project was formed to improve both the quality and size of the urban tree canopy. The urban tree canopy is the area of ground covered by tree leaves, branches and stems when viewed from above. Urban areas already have decreased tree canopy due to development. However, tree canopies in urban areas are also at risk of insects, disease, and natural disasters.
Increasing and Protecting our Urban Tree Canopy
The Urban Tree Project works with landowners of large vacant areas, such as industrial parks or lawns around office buildings, to plant and establish native trees. The Urban Tree Project team selects trees by taking into account variables specific to each location, such as soil type, moisture, and climate, to determine the best native trees for the area. The Urban Tree Project then ensures the trees are planted correctly and watered to ensure they are established for the first year.
The benefits trees provide to urban areas are both societal and biological. From cleaning the air and water, reducing storm water runoff, and cooling urban heat islands, to increasing property values in neighborhoods, trees have even been studied and proven to reduce stress and provide a sense of community and safety. For more on the benefits of trees and studies that have been completed, see: http://chicagorti.org/TreeBenefits
Currently the Urban Tree Project focuses in the urban area of central Ohio. Columbus, at the center of central Ohio, is the 14th largest city in the United State of America and has the fastest growing urban heat-island effect of major U.S. cities. Summers days from 2004-2014 in Columbus average 4.4oF hotter than surrounding rural areas. Trees provide shade and transpiration which can help reduce summer heat by 2-9oF. Columbus, which is located in a historically forested state, has only an average of 22% of urban tree cover as of 2013, with some communities having as low as 9% tree cover.
Interested in learning more or want to make a donation?
Fill out our contact form or email info@urbantreeproject.org.
The Urban Tree Project is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.