SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR TREES IN THE URBAN AREAS

Abstract

Introduction Sustainable arboriculture is broadbased and complex due to the diverse and dynamic character of urban green areas and their environment, owing to the impact that people and their activities have on urban trees e.g., planting, removal, pruning, land development, plant injury (Nowak 1993, Clark et al.. 1997). Wide-ranging activities of people are among the major forces for change in the health and character of the urban forest and ultimately determine its sustainability, more so than with any other forest resource (Nowak 1993). In this scenario sustainable tree care and maintenance represent the preservation of the long term efficiency of the urban ecosystem in an environmentally conserving and safe manner coupled with economic viability, social justice and equity for the citizens. Although urban green areas have been acknowledged globally to be of outmost importance, the term “sustainable arboriculture” is often used loosely and in a general manner as a label, brand or icon to make it acceptable to all types of stakeholders and under various environments. In the coming decades, arboriculture and urban forestry will have to face many challenges as population increase and demographic changes, flinching per capita natural resources, environmental degradation, climate change and globalization. At international level urban green areas are more Francesco Ferrini Alessio Fini