The Often Overlooked World Of Urban Forestry
If you are like a lot of people, the image of arborists and other tree workers, you probably picture people working in the suburbs or out in the wilderness. The idea of an urban arborist almost seems like a contradiction or even an oxymoron at first, but urban foresters all across the country are making huge differences for people living in urban communities every day.
Urban forestry reframes a lot of our ideas, treating cities as forests where trees and other plants can thrive. With strategic planning, both municipal and commercial arborists are able to drastically increase the quality of life for people living in cities while giving plants a new place to grow.
The Secret Benefits Of Planting Trees In Cities
Most of us were raised to understand that trees and other vegetation are good for the environment. What is far less obvious is that planting trees, gardens, and plants, in general, has incredible social and psychological benefits to the people in urban settings. Through new research, we are only now starting to understand just how significant of an impact urban arborists can have on cities.
Some Social Benefits Of Trees & Vegetation To Communities:
- Attract Business
- Increased Property Value
- Proven To Reduce Stress
- Increased Sense Of Well Being
- Decreased Feelings Of Isolation
- Associated With Reduced Stress
It is important to note that urban arborists work with local politicians, businesses, and community organizations to make these kinds of changes possible. However, it is maybe even important to note that arborists bring in expertise regarding what plants are ideal for city environments and what materials are needed for urban forest projects. Aside from their indispensable knowledge and expertise, it should also be obvious that arborists are generally the people putting in the physical work of planting and maintaining trees and plants in these projects.
The Philadelphia 2018 Urban Forestry Experiment
In 2018, a study based on ten years of research came out of Philadelphia which gave incredible new insight on how people in cities can be impacted by making neighborhoods greener. The study involved clearing empty lots of trash and waste. In some of these lots, new trees and vegetation were planted. In other lots, the garbage was cleared without new plant life being introduced. This allowed researchers to see how simply cleaning a lot could improve the quality of life for people living in a neighborhood, and compare the additional impacts that could be made with trees and gardens being introduced.
The social benefits of simply cleaning up a lot were mild, but the addition of plant life had radical results on the overall psychology and social wellness of the people living nearby.
Results Shown From Philly’s Tree Experiment:
- Reduced Burglary
- Reduced Gun Violence
- Reduced Depression And Feelings Of Helplessness
How Arborists Are Helping People Deal With Depression
While social scientists and people collecting data were obviously important, one great takeaway was that the work arborists are doing in urban areas is invaluable. The hard work involved in planting vegetation has now been proven to improve the psychological well being of people living in cities. When people see more green in their neighborhoods, they feel more hope. Arborists help people feel less helpless and less depressed.
Psychological Results Of Planting Vegetation:
- Rate Of 68% Decrease In Depression For Those Below Poverty Line
- Rate Of 41% Decrease In Depression For Those Above The Poverty Line
JamaNetwork.Com 07/20/18
Urban Forestry & Crime Reduction
If you have spent much time around plants, you already know the calming effect that they can have on you. Areas with plants are intrinsically more inviting. It turns out that Urban Forestry Projects can potentially help with crime. As of 2018, we know that adding vegetation can reduce crime in urban settings. Gun violence in particular is reduced up to 30% with the introduction of new vegetation. What this shows us is that arborists have the potential to literally save lives in cities across America.
Neighborhoods where urban forestry strategies were used, showed a reduction in burglary, violent crime, and vandalism. This is likely in part because people are also more likely to interact with their neighbors when there are parks nearby. Additionally people are more likely to show pride in their neighborhood when their surroundings are improved.
ScienceMag.Org 02/26/18
Arborists & Income Equity
One thing that is really important about all of this information is that urban arborists are particularly helping people living in low income. In Philly in particular, the introduction of trees, grass, and small fences had radical impacts on the psychological well being of people living in poverty.
There were some valid concerns expressed by some people that these sorts of changes could potentially lead to poor neighborhoods becoming gentrified. Thankfully in the case of Philadelphia, no observable results were shown in regards to gentrification. This means that people who were already living in this neighborhood were given an increased quality of life without having to fear being driven out of the neighborhood.
How To Become An Urban Arborist
We can only hope that in light of recent research, the field of urban forestry will continue to grow. This line of work requires special expertise, regarding the types of plants that will survive and thrive in urban environments. Factors such as soil quality, space required, and chemical exposure all come into play. Those who are interested in this type of work are encouraged to look into obtaining a Municipal Specialist Certification for tree work.
What This Could Mean Across The Country
Following the experiment regarding City Forestry, Philadelphia launched an initiative to increase tree populations across the entire city in 2019. This plan teamed up with Urban Arborists, politicians, and community organizations. There is no reason to think that the people of Philly are unique in benefitting from these types of changes.
As our country continues to face issues with mental health, poverty, and urban blight, we are able to see that the importance of Urban Arborists should not be overlooked. The efforts of urban foresters should be regarded as nothing short of heroic.
Sources:
Effect of Greening Vacant Land on Mental Health of Community-Dwelling Adults
