The Concept of Urban Forestry

Abstract

SUMMARY Expanding urbanisation places great physical, social, economic and biological pressures on our forest resources. A conceptual proposal to attempt to create and manage an additional forest resource, the urban forest, is presented. Urban areas ranging in size from 0.2 to 800 ha could be planted with trees and maintained for their aesthetic and recreational values, but they may also be managed for wood products and as wildlife habitats. Urban forests could lessen the pressures on natural forests and improve and enhance the quality of life for urban dwellers. Such forests should be conceived nationally but managed at the local level. Urban forestry could involve all segments of society and help to develop a land ethic. It is a challenge for foresters, and other land managers, to participate in a multi-disciplinary approach to create further options of multiple land use for present and future Australians.