Quality plant material is available from many private nurseries. With proper planning, a community can purchase enough stock with sufficient diversity in species to satisfy their planting needs without the permanent cost of operating a nursery. Education and training Survey respondents were asked to list topics for training sessions they would be interested in attending. The two most common topics are safety and machine maintenance followed by supervisory training, arboricultural practices and public relations. Control is currently exercised through zoning regulations and tree care ordinances and varies according to community involvement.
Some areas have very strict regulation, while others are more general.
The number of requests for seminars on establishing tree boards and ordinances, communicating the cause and effect relationship among site and species matching, planting techniques and construction reflected the importance of these topics. It is clear that those in the profession understand the importance of proper tree care and that the next step is to enlighten other professions whose activities directly impact trees such as builders, engineers and utility companies. Each area has priorities, but common ground must be found to sustain healthy urban forests in our rapidly developing world. Assess the current community forest inventory and condition. Establish standards for species selection, placement, planting, long-term care and construction practices.