Urban Forestry

Welcome

to Fayetteville, Arkansas, a 21-year Tree City USA community.

Urban Forestry is the management of trees and other vegetation on public and private land. 
Fayetteville's urban forest provides fundamental benefits to the community's livability and vitality, including cleaner air and water, pedestrian-friendly walkways, lower utility consumption, enhanced property values, and viable wildlife habitat. These elements are essential to the prosperity, health, and comfort of any city.
Sky view of Downtown Fayetteville

GENERAL INFORMATION


Urban Forests


Urban forests are made up of public and private forests, prairies, wetlands, and other ecological communities that provide environmental services to the urban and/or suburban community of Fayetteville. 

Community trees can be found along streets, in parks, and on public and private property. Landscaping required of new developments also is a community asset that can be found in the same places. It is the combination of these trees and landscapes that create the urban forest. As a community, we receive multiple benefits from trees and plantings within the urban forest.

Benefits of Trees


Not only do trees add to the aesthetics of our City, shade our trails, and give good homes to wildlife, trees also provide economical, environmental, and behavioral benefits.

Using trees as wind blocks or as shade producers can decrease utility bills. Trees also remove huge quantities of pollutants from the air, aid in erosion control, and decrease stormwater runoff. It has been proven that given a green shady area to relax or play in, a person will stay calmer and remain outdoors longer.

Trees planted where they can be observed from residential dwellings, hospital rooms, or school classrooms can reduce crime rates, quicken patient recovery rates, and increase child productivity.

Management


Fayetteville's Urban Forestry Program is managed by three separate entities within the City:
  • Street tree maintenance is performed by the Transportation Department right-of-way work crews.
  • Park and trail tree maintenance is carried out by the Parks and Recreation Department Urban Forestry Services crew.
  • Tree preservation and protection for new development is performed by the Urban Forester.
As representatives of the people of Fayetteville, the City’s forest management practices focus on providing an urban forest that is safe, healthy, diverse, and able to provide the greatest benefit to the people, wildlife, and environment of the City.