Should Urban Forestry be Defined?

Abstract

The complexity of an urban forest varies from city to city. This diversity in urban profiles and politics complicates the development of any acceptable definition. A consensus definition has proven to be extremely elusive and raises the question, is one necessary? Urban forestry managers must ask themselves, would a definition open new doors of opportunity? Opinions are many and diverse as to what urban forestry is, and what it encompasses. This paper attempts to clarify some of these questions and assumes the all-inclusive aspect of the urban forest concept.