Vanishing Urban Canopies

Urban areas have lost a staggering 21% of their tree cover in the last decade. American cities are 'turning from green into gray'.

1 minute read

March 11, 2004, 7:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

Eric Oldar is fighting to save California's dwindling urban trees: "Oldar is a forester and a pioneer in California's tiny urban forestry program, which is tucked away with firefighters in the state Department of Forestry. He has devoted most of his 27-year career to promoting urban forests, a concept that makes all the sense in the world if we think about it, which, let's agree, not many of us do... the nation's urban areas as defined by the Census Bureau have lost 21% of their tree cover in the last decade. Viewed over longer time spans, the news is even worse. For instance, Washington, a city renowned for its blossoming cherry trees, has sacrificed 60% of its heavy tree canopy in the last generation."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: No Safe Arbor in the City

Monday, March 8, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

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