Urban Forest Management Plan
Toolkit

Many factors need to be considered when selecting tree species for urban forest uses. Databases, lists, and other references to assist in species selection are available through the World Wide Web. Some examples are listed below.

Title & Link	Source	Description
SelecTree	UFEI (California)	A searchable online database with over 1000 species and numerous selection characteristics. Most species have linked photos.
Northern Trees	IFAS, Univ. of Florida	Online tree selector that allows input of tree and site characteristics.
Community Tree Guides (series)	Center for Urban Forest Research	Series of regional tree guides focusing on cost-benefit analyses include regional tree species guides.
Urban Watershed Forestry Manual Part 3: Urban Tree Planting Guide	Center for Watershed Protection (Maryland)	Includes tree planting guide and searchable tree selection guide.
South Carolina Urban Tree Species Guide	SC Forestry Commission	Species tables by tree size.
Illinois Tree Selection	University of Illinois Extension	General guide to urban trees by size.
Urban Trees and Shrubs	Chicago Botanic Garden	Series of "slides" with photos of species and brief descriptions.

Recommendations in these sources should not replace local experience. Local conditions can influence tree size, pest problems, structure, and root development. Many urban forest programs develop their own list of recommended species. Such lists can include notes and recommendations that apply to local conditions.

Invasive plant species

Most urban trees and other plants used as ornamentals are not native to the areas where they are used. A small percentage of these introduced species have turned out to be too successful in their new homes. Invasive plant species are introduced plants that grow and reproduce in native habitat areas (e.g., forests and riparian areas) to the point that they outcompete and displace native plant species. This can make habitats unsuitable for native wildlife species. They may also cause other problems: creating dangerous fire fuel conditions, clogging waterways, and using up scarce groundwater supplies.

In December 2001, invasive plant experts and resource managers from around the world held a meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. A key outcome of this meeting was the St. Louis Declaration on Invasive Plant Species. The Declaration lays out the causes of the invasive species problem. The Declaration also established voluntary codes of conduct for government agencies, nursery professionals, the gardening public, landscape architects, and botanic gardens and arboreta. The codes of conduct are designed to curb the introduction, use, and further spread of invasive plant species.

Some invasive plants are able to adapt to many conditions. They become problems over wide areas. Other species cause problems only in certain habitats or climate zones. Many states have invasive plant councils that list species that are of greatest concern and the habitats that they are likely to invade.

The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) has many resources regarding invasive plants at its website, including The California Inventory of Invasive Plants. You should use this resource to familiarize yourself with the invasive plants for your region. This information can be included in your urban forest management plan. Urban forest plans should prohibit or discourage the use of known or potential invasives in situations where escape and spread into natural habitats can occur.

Street tree master plans

Many urban forest management plans call for the development of a street tree master planting plan. Street tree master plans take streetscape design and species selection in to consideration. The goals of a street tree master plan commonly include:

Online references related to street tree master plans:

The Road to a Thoughtful Street Tree Master Plan, A practical guide to systematic planning and design. K. Simons, G.R. Johnson, 2007.

Developing a Street Tree Master Plan, Community Forestry Program Work Team, Cornell Univ.