Assessments of Citizen Willingness to Support Urban Forestry: An Empirical Study in Alabama

Abstract

Using a survey conducted in Alabama, U.S., this study investigates the attitudes of urban residents toward urban trees and how they would like to support urban tree programs. An ordered logistic model and ordinary least square regression were applied in the analyses. It is found, in general, that people prefer to have trees on their property and in their community for all gender, age, race, income, and other family background, but individuals with higher education had a tendency to like more trees. The most desirable amenity of trees is the improved appearance. The potential risks and hazards would discourage them from having trees in their communities. It is found that each person’s voluntary willingness to donate is significantly less than the amount that he or she feels everyone should contribute to support the programs (e.g., taxation). The awareness of the presence of a tree agency and service can significantly increase the amount of donation a person is willing to make. While private donation is widely agreed upon as an important source of support, using alcohol and tobacco taxes as funding for financing urban tree programs receives more support than the idea of using corporate income tax and property tax. The results indicate that the citizen willingness to support urban forestry are affected by various factors, therefore, a holistic approach is needed to promote city tree programs.