Tookit Spotlight: Protecting Mature Urban Trees on Private Lands

Mature urban trees are a critical resource for urban landscapes. Trees are the most productive during this period of their lives and contribute outsized benefits compared to newly planted trees in terms of the ecosystem services that they provide, along with biophilic benefits for health and well-being.

Biophilic Cities, in collaboration with the University of Virginia’s Center for Forest Urbanism, has released a Policy Toolkit designed to help communities preserve mature urban trees - those that deliver the greatest environmental and human benefits - on private lands.

The toolkit distills protection strategies into a clear four-part framework:

• Inventory existing mature trees and their value
• Engage stakeholders and inform the public
• Adopt baseline protections
• Support property owners through incentives, technical aid, and resources

Learn more about the toolkit for tips on taking bold action to protect the mature trees