It is essential that one department coordinate all tree-related activities on public property, if the tree resources are to be protected. Since the tree care programs in most areas suffer from a lack of funds, it helps to establish good informal working relationships with other groups. In one city, the department of public works, which removed a number of trees in order to widen a city street, decided to replant new trees as part of the project. They did this based solely on the encouragement of the forestry department. The neighborhood was delighted with the result.
Coordination often comes in the form of a permit system.
Any tree work, such as pruning, planting, and applying pesticides, requires a permit. Such a system coordinates the activities of homeowners, businesses, tree care contractors, utility companies, and developers. Some cities even extend this regulation to private property by requiring a permit to remove any tree over a certain size, usually four to six inches diameter. It is difficult to play as direct a role as in the previous two examples, but it is still worth considering. Public education campaigns can stress the value of trees to the community, their contribution to property values, environmental benefits, and economic contributions.