Carbon dioxide reduction through urban forestry: guidelines for professional and volunteer tree planters

Abstract

Carbon dioxide reduction through urban forestry—Guidelines for professional and volunteer tree planters has been developed by the Pacific Southwest Research Station’s Western Center for Urban Forest Research and Education as a tool for utilities, urban foresters and arborists, municipalities, consultants, non-profit organizations and others to determine the effects of urban forests on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction. The calculation of CO2 reduction that can be made with the use of these Guidelines enables decision makers to incorporate urban forestry into their efforts to protect our global climate. With these Guidelines, they can: report current and future CO2 reductions through a standardized accounting process; evaluate the cost-effectiveness of urban forestry programs with CO2 reduction measures; compare benefits and costs of alternative urban forestry program designs; and produce educational materials that assess potential CO2 reduction benefits and provide information on tree selection, placement, planting, and stewardship