by Michael Richardson
In many cities, the urban forest is in crisis – development, climate change, exotic disease and insects, apathy, scarce financial resources, and lack of replanting all play a part in the decline. In the City of Toronto, their street tree program is being redesigned to improve survival, while in many municipalities, tree planting programs are virtually non-existent. Arborists can play a vital role in the renewal of the urban forest by using their knowledge and expertise to plant high quality trees that will best complement site conditions and withstand the tests of time. Experience is showing that carefully selected planting stock installed by dedicated professionals has the highest chance of survival.
