An Evaluation of Tree Procurement and Acquisition Strategies for Urban Planting

Abstract

Cities increasingly plant trees for the numerous benefits they provide to communities. Tree health and structure at planting affect their growth and development and the long-term accumulation of important environmental, economic, and social benefits. Consequently, it is important to procure and acquire high quality trees from commercial suppliers. In order to characterize the range of experience with tree procurement, a qualitative study was conducted to document this important urban forest management process in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 municipal arborists to obtain primary information about tree procurement and acquisition, and the data collected were evaluated to summarize the state of knowledge about this process. The data suggest three main components comprise tree procurement, including establishing needs and requirements, evaluating and assigning suppliers, and managing commercial relationships. During 2008, participants in this study collectively planted over 26,000 trees from 132 woody taxa. Although participants described similar tree planting needs, they adopted markedly different approaches to buying them from and interacting with commercial suppliers. The results illustrate similarities and differences in tree procurement among participants and establish a framework for further research and discussion.