Tennessee dairy producers, who recently suffered a sharp decline in prices, have cut their herds by 11 percent, or 40,000 head. But there's another aspect of forestry that impacts more than 80 percent of the population. Urban forestry is applying forestry principles in areas with a concentration of population. While trees are the primary focus, urban forestry also includes horticulture, soil science and wildlife. Due to rapid growth many urban areas in Tennessee suffer from a lack of natural- resource management.
Studies show urban forests in decline nationwide.
But in Chattanooga and vicinity, American Forest, a Washington, D.C.-based conservation group, found that the amount of land with heavy tree canopy went from 42 percent to 21 percent between 1974 and 1996. At the same time, developed area rose from 51 percent to 72 percent. Trees counterbalance environmental degradation in a number of ways, according to Bill Wyatt, University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service agricultural agent in Madison County and president of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. With the approach of Arbor Day on Friday, March 3, planting a tree takes on added meaning. For the individual, tree planting is a personal demonstration of stewardship.