Urban Forestry, Tree Cover are Key Components of Reforestation

[Judi Lynn]

June 20, 2020 at 8:43 am

As Armenia embarks on a 30-year plan to double its forest cover, it is important to remember that forests take many forms and can exist in a variety of settings. Providing tree cover in urban areas and along roads is an important component of reforestation. Urban plantings protect the environment and supply many benefits to local residents such as clean air, dust reduction, shade and fruit.

A recent study found that trees literally improve the quality of life for urban dwellers. Research involving millions of people from multiple countries found that urban residents who live close to green spaces are less likely to die prematurely. Michelle Kondo, a research social scientist with the US Forest Service and an author of that study, noted that “the major ways that nature or green space can improve health include improved social contact and cohesion – how we relate to each other.”

Last October, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) and the American University of Armenia’s Acopian Center for the Environment (AUA) co-sponsored an international event called “Forest Summit: Global Action and Armenia.” Among the regional and international experts gathered to discuss forestry, there was consensus that for a large scale reforestation project to succeed, the community must be invited to participate, and care must be taken to address the needs of the community in planning where to plant. What urban dwellers need from trees differs from what villagers need.

In Armenia, a significant percentage of the population lives in the city of Yerevan. Those who have experienced Yerevan in summer know that it is a hot, dusty place. They also know the joy of finding a cool, shady spot to cool off in one of the city’s many parks and green spaces.

More:
https://armenianweekly.com/2020/06/20/urban-forestry-tree-cover-are-key-components-of-reforestation/

Was curious to see Yerevan photos, as I had no idea. Here's the google images page, and it looks amazing!

https://tinyurl.com/y8s7e7jd

[SharonClark]

1. Trees mean everything to a city.

I live in a neighbor with lots of beautiful trees on private and public property. The city just planted a variety of 50 smaller trees on a 6 block stretch of the boulevard near my house. The boulevard already had large and mature locusts, maples, walnuts, lindens, sycamore, and ginko trees. My neighborhood, partly as a result, is beautiful and walkable and well maintained. On the other hand, my mom lives on a street where no one replaces the old trees with new ones, except her. in her neighborhood, the residents don't seems to know or care that trees help with beautification, lower utility bills, and higher home values. It's a shame.

[delisen]

2. Home insurance problems with overhanging trees

Insurance companies are refusing to insure houses where tree branches overhang the house. They will write new policies then decline to insure after getting their underwriters report.

State insurance commissioners and politics allow this.