Many important decisions in American cities are based on careful cost and benefit analysis of options. Yet the values of trees and plants in our urban centers are often overlooked. Urban forests are a significant and increasingly valuable asset of the urban environment. Scientists have measured the treemendous returns that trees provide for people in cities. A complete assessment of both benefits and costs is challenging. Nonetheless, full understanding of this information is valuable if decision-makers wish to make cost effective policy and budget decisions. Investments in the planting and care of trees represent long term commitments of scarce dollars; improper plantings will increase costs and reduce benefits. Adequate resources for both planning and management of urban green is necessary if cities wish to optimize the values and benefits of the urban forest.
Keywords: urban centers, values of trees and plants, residential property values, air quality, improved water quality, commercial land values