Optimum Stocking of Urban Trees

Abstract

Promotions of urban tree planting tend to ignore the broader tree management concept that optimum stocking usually is not the maximum possible, but rather, depends on site-specific benefits and costs of trees in relation to the greenspace resources that can support growth. Based primarily on observations in Syracuse, NY, this paper discusses adaptation of forestry concepts of stocking to three general categories of urban tree conditions: urban woods, where forest stocking concepts are directly applicable; urban savanna and street tree strips, the largest area component in most communities; and trees in paving, where stocking depends on adequate quality spaces.