Partnerships in urban forestry: Cities and nonprofit tree planting organizations in the Northeastern United States

Trees in cities are important resources that have long commanded the attention and efforts of tree care professionals and volunteers alike. Volunteer involvement is often through nonprofit tree planting groups. Questionnaires were sent by mail to tree planting groups and the city forestry programs under whose jurisdiction they operate. The study area was the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, encompassing 20 states and the District of Columbia. How tree groups and city forestry perceive the urban forest and the role and importance of volunteers was examined. Additionally, the relationship and quality of communication between the groups was explored. Generally speaking, there were very few differences in the way the two groups responded. Both tree groups and city forestry programs shared similar perceptions of the urban forest and valued volunteers highly. Cities rated the quality of work performed by tree groups highly and both groups reported communicating well with the other.