Special attention should be given to establishing a legally-constituted special interest group for trees, with the specific responsibility of securing funding for forestry. The urban forester should be given as much discretion as possible to make professional decisions, with support of the authorized tree board. In 1980, by unanimous vote, the Cincinnati City Council created the first Urban Forest Management Division in the Queen City's history. This was accomplished by a coalition of hard- working people who presented their elected officials with some sensible plans and a sound forestry ordinance backed by sufficient public support. We hope to elaborate on some of the concepts which worked in Cincinnati and offer a few additional thoughts which might be worth your consideration if you are trying to enhance or develop a new urban forest management program.
Trees are an incredible resource.
They're, by far, the nicest of all amenities planted along streets. Generally, people do not react about other street-side amenities such as boulevard lights, fire hydrants, traffic signals or signs as they do about trees. Most people cannot plant a fire hydrant for the public works department, but they will gladly plant trees for forestry. Always use this natural love of trees to your advantage. Always talk up the positives of trees and never mention the negatives.