ROSELLER R. AYSON, PH.

Department of Forestry
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Mariano Marcos State University

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Preface
Urban forestry is also the domain of the professional forester. Just like the
traditional forestry, urban forestry is a resource management, only its objective is
more focused on the protective, ameliorative and amenities than on productive roles.
With the current ever-changing climatic conditions which make life uncomfortable,
more so in the urban centers, the forester is challenged on how to contribute in the
development and maintenance of urban vegetation for human welfare.

People plant trees anywhere with the thought of mitigating the impact of
climate change – to have a cooler environment. But more often than not, people plant
the right tree in the wrong place or plant the wrong tree in the right place. Many
beautiful-looking trees, for example, are planted under transmission lines where
branches are in contact with live wires posing risk to lives and properties. A tree with
spreading shallow roots may damage a concrete pavement. Damaged and diseased
trees need to be treated to sustain their protective and ameliorative roles to the
community. These are just few reasons why urban forestry is the domain of a forester
– there are many more.

This course aims to equip the forestry student with the knowledge and skills in
the development and maintenance of urban vegetation for protective and ameliorative
benefits for the urban population.

The user of this instructional material must have finished the subject
Silviculture II (Silvicultural Systems).

Roseller R. Ayson

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 What is Urban Forestry?
Just like the traditional forestry, urban forestry is a resource management, only
its objective is more focused on the protective, ameliorative and amenities than on
productive roles.

It involves the management of an entire urban tree population. It is all forestry in

urban society.

As a resource management strategy, it is defined as the wise use and management

of urban vegetation systems in order to enhance the urban setting for maximum social
and environmental benefits of urban society.

The Urban Forestry Working Group (UFWG) of the Society of American

Foresters comprehensively also defined urban forestry as a specialized branch of
forestry that has its objective the cultivation and management of trees for their present
and potential contribution to the physiological, sociological and economic well-being
of embracing a multi-managerial system that includes municipal watersheds, wildlife
habitats, outdoor recreation opportunities, landscape design, recycling of municipal
wastes, tree care in general and the future production of wood fiber as raw material.

The Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources (2016) defines urban forestry as “the establishment and management of
forest in urban environment for physiological and psychological well-being of the
people”.

FAO (2016) defined urban and peri-urban forestry (UPF) as the “practice of
managing urban forests to ensure their optimal contribution to the physiological,
sociological and economic well-being of urban societies.

Urban forest includes all trees and associated vegetation growing in the
greenspaces in and around human settlements. Some of these trees and vegetation
were willfully planted and are carefully managed by their owners while others are
accidents of land-use decisions, economics, topography and neglect.

Urban forests can also be defined as networks or systems comprising all

woodlands, groups of trees, and individual trees located in urban and peri-urban areas;
they include therefore, forests, street trees, trees in parks and gardens, and trees in
derelict corners (FAO 2016).

Urban Forestry Concepts

The DENR Region 7 Master Plan for Forestry Development (1991) defines and
describes urban forestry as:

1. a process of forest establishment and management in the urban environment

for the physiological well-being of the people;

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 2. a deliberate process of cultivating trees, shrubs, or ornamental plants to offset
the effects of pollution and at the same time provide scenic surroundings in an
otherwise drab and dreary landscape of concrete and steel structures;
3. a forest park, a nature center, a greenbelt, a boulevard lined with trees or
public ground with trees; and
4. a greening movement designed to raise the quality of the environment in urban
centers.

Benefits derived from Urban Forestry

The introduction of forest in urban areas has both direct and indirect benefits. Its
direct benefits can be translated into socio economic benefits as follows:

a) abatement of the intensity of noise,

b) energy conservation,
c) increase of market value of the land,
d) source of raw materials such as wood,
e) beautification and improvement of the aesthetic value of the landscape,
f) deduction of glares and reflection of solar radiation,
g) screening of objectional views like junkyards and slums, and
h) provision of vegetational obstruction to seclude a particular area from its
surrounding.

The indirect benefits are geared toward the enhancement and improvement of the
environment. Generally, it makes the urban environment a better place to live.
Research results revealed that trees:

a) can sequester atmospheric gases such as CO, NO2, SO2 and other harmful
gases
b) filter air particulates,
c) modify air temperature ,
d) serve as windbreaks,
e) increase infiltration,
f) reduce surface runoff and minimize soil erosion,
g) protect riverbanks and watersheds,
h) absorb toxic and heavy metals, and
i) provide food and habitat for urban wildlife

With these benefits, there is really a need to establish an urban forest to improve
the physiological, sociological, and economic well-being of the urban society.

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Urban forest types
FAO (2016) listed down five urban forest types. These are:

1. Peri-urban forests and woodlands

These are forests and woodlands surrounding towns and cities that can
provide goods and services such as wood, fibre, fruit, other non-wood forest
products, clean water, recreation and tourism.

2. City parks and urban forests (>0.5 ha)

These are large urban or district parks with a variety of land cover and
at least partly equipped with facilities for leisure and recreation.

3. Pocket parks and gardens with trees (<0.5 ha)

These are small district parks equipped with facilities for
recreation/leisure, and private gardens and green spaces.

4. Trees on streets or in public squares

These are linear tree populations, small groups of trees, and individual
trees in squares and parking lots and on streets, etc.

5. Other green spaces with trees

For example urban agricultural plots, sports grounds, vacant lands, lawns,
river banks, open fields, cemeteries and botanical gardens.

In the Philippines, the preferable areas for urban greening which may constitute
the urban forests are (Baggayan and Baggayan, 1995):

1. Parks
These include provincial, city, municipal, and barangay public parks,
playgrounds, and other areas devoted to public recreation.
Most parks are publicly owned and managed by local government
units, while others are private areas owned by churches, industries, and other
institutions and organizations.

2. Street Right-of-Way
These are strips adjacent to streets between divided boulevards that are
often called tree lawns, pathways, or parking strips. They vary in width and
often provide space for sidewalks. There is usually space for a single row of
trees, shrubs and other landscape design features (Grey and Deneke, 1978).

3. Public Building and Grounds

These are open grounds adjacent to public buildings such as schools,
hospitals, auditoriums, museums, penal institutions and courthouses. These
also include military installations, cemeteries, airports, golf courses, and
nurseries that are managed by the government.

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 4. Extraterritorial Lands
The urban forest often goes beyond the populated limits of the city.
Shelterbelts, groves, forest reserves and even vegetated landfills are part of the
urban forest. These forests provide watershed protection, recreation, scenery,
place for the disposal of waste products, and the source of raw materials for
community use.

5. Riparian Areas
These areas refer to riverfronts, canals, channel diversions, lakeshores
and even seashores, which are also part of the urban forest. These are often
developed as areas for recreation, greenbelts, and open spaces within cities.

6. Private Lands
Private lands refer to all kinds of residential, commercial and industrial
lands within the urban ecosystem. Contribution of private land to urban forests
depends upon the size and available space and the extent of the tree planting
conducted by the owner.

The Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) of the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also identified the following as major
urban forestry planting sites and areas and may also be considered to form part of the
urban forests:

1. Roadways
These are along major thoroughfares such as expressways, diversion
roads, highways and secondary access roads.

2. National parks and mini-forest parks

These are areas where people usually converge to rest and hold social
gatherings or celebrations. These may be city/municipal/ barangay parks and
established national parks.

3. Greenbelts
These are areas when planted serve as environmental pollution buffer
or filters. These include public plazas, subdivisions, school and public
grounds, or government compounds.

4. Commercial and industrial compounds

These are fenced or walled-in areas containing business
establishments.

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History of Urban Forestry in the Philippines
The Philippines, like other Asian countries has a long history of urban
greening. However, it was just lately when the urban greening has been recognized as
urban forestry.

Urban greening in the Philippines started during the Spanish period when the
introduction of public plazas and patios in houses as well as sporadic establishment of
street trees started (Hart, undated).
During the American occupation, city/municipal hall and park was emphasized in the
design and redesign of urban landscape because of their aesthetic, amenity and
historical consciousness. Among others, a park in Dapitan, Zamboanga City built in
honor of Dr. Jose Rizal and Burnham Park in Baguio City were established. At
present, these green spaces are still providing aesthetic, biological, socio-
psychological and economic functions.

After the Philippine independence, several parks were established such as the
Rizal park in Manila, Quezon City Memorial park, Manila Zoological and Botanical
Garden and Nayong Pilipino among others. Each of these parks had its own
management structure and strategies (Philippine Forestry Master Plan, 1990). With
the reconstruction of the cities, tree planting was conducted on some other green
spaces particularly on roadsides, islands and tree lawns of both publicly and privately
owned areas to provide shade and beautify the scenery. Town plazas where urban
residents and visitors can rest, relax and enjoy were also planted with trees.

Urban forestry in the Philippines flourished more when development of

modern parks, gardens, tree planting on corridor of highways, roads and streets were
given emphasis.

During the term of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, PROFEM (Program for

Forest Ecosystem Management) was popularized with tree planting on both rural and
urban areas.

Following EDSA Revolution, Corazon C. Aquino was declared President. She

launched the Luntiang Kamaynilaan Program (LKP) with DENR as lead
implementing agency. This was followed by the Clean and Green Program instituted
by President Fidel V. Ramos.

During the Estrada presidency, diminutation of greening became evident

although the Luntiang Pilipinas was implemented. Moreover, no visible national
greening program was implemented during the term of Gloria M. Arroyo. However, a
national Arbor Day was declared.

At present many problems are still associated with the urban environment such
as air, noise and water pollution. The hazardous waste management is also one of the
problems in urban zones. These are brought about by fast urbanization and

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mismanagement of urban zones. Urban areas in the Philippines are not exempt from
the abovementioned environmental problems (Palijon 2008). The government still
finds ways to solve environmental issues and problems especially in the urban areas
through various programs and projects.

Some International Instruments Relevant to Urban Forestry

1. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held
in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992.
2. Agenda 21
3. Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD)
4. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
5. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The contribution of these instruments to the Urban Forestry as a tool for

harmonious city development is just limited to the specific aspects they cover.

Common Goals and Objectives of Urban Forestry Programs in the Philippines

The various Urban Forestry Policies of the Government have the following
common goals and objectives as cited by Palijon (2005):

1. To sustain the ecological balance;

2. To keep and maintain a clean, green, healthy and beautiful environment;
3. To promote environmental consciousness in the society;
4. To enhance people’s preferences; and
5. To promote multi-sectoral collaboration, cooperation and support.

Urban Forestry Programs and Policies in the

Philippines
Presidential Decrees:

Presidential Decree 1153 (Tree Planting Decree) in 1971

o Decree patterned in China which became a vehicle in promoting the
greening of the Philippines
o Mandated the participation of every able citizens (10 years old and above)
to plant 60 trees in a year.

Presidential Decree 953 series of 1976

o Planting in private lands like residential subdivisions and
commercial/industrial lots to set aside 30% of total area as open spaces for
recreation.
o It penalizes unauthorized cutting, destruction or injury inflicted on planted
trees or vegetation in public areas.

Presidential Decree 7279

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 o Exemption from development of the lands that are used for parks, reserved
for flora and fauna, and watershed areas.

Presidential Decree 957

o No conversion and/or alterations of open spaces and other infrastructures
and facilities built inside residential subdivisions specifically for public
use shall be allowed without authority from the housing authority.

Presidential Decree 953 s, 1976

o Protection of trees in public places from any injury or destruction;
o Penalizes unauthorized cutting, destruction, damaging and injuring of
certain trees, plants and vegetation in public places.

Presidential Decree 705

o Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines
o The multiple uses of forest lands shall be oriented to the development and
progress requirements of the country, the advancement of science and
technology, and the public welfare.

Republic Acts:

RA 5752 of 1969
o Mandated the establishment of forest/tree parks or watershed in every
municipality;
o Each park should have an aggregate size equivalent to at least 25% of
town’s or city’s entire area which may be located in one or more places
within the said city or town.

RA 3571 of 1963
o Protection of trees in public places from any injury or destruction
o Prohibits tree cutting in public places like public roads, plazas, parks,
school premises or any public ground.

RA 357 of 1969, RA 976 as amended by PD 1216

o Greening of private lands

RA 3572 s, 1929
o An act to prohibit the cutting of Tindalo, Akle, Molave trees, under certain
conditions, and to penalize violations thereof the cutting in the public
forests of Tindalo, Akle, or Molave trees less than 60 cm in diameters
measured at a height of four feet from the ground (breast height) is hereby
prohibited.

RA 8749
o “Philippine Clean Air Act”

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 o Promote and protect the global environment to certain sustainable
development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local
government units to deal with environmental problems

Executive Orders (EO):

EO 113 (July 22, 1993)

o Multi-sectoral Tree Planting Activities to support the Environment and
Natural Resources
o Sectoral participation in tree planting activities in support of
environmental and natural resources program

EO 118 (August 12, 1993)

o Also known as “Adopt-A-Street/Park” program which mandates the active
participation of all GOs and NGOs nationwide in urban greening through
adaptation
o Aims to plant streets and parks in urban centers.
o Mandated government agencies to adopt a street or park in coordination
with concerned local government units, NGOs and private sectors to plant
appropriate tree species with maintenance for 5 years using their own
funds.
o Requires DENR to manage and coordinate the program through a
designated National Coordinator
o Requires LGUs to maintain planted areas.

EO 9 (February 1993)
o Created the Departmental Greening Task Force in Manila designed to
encourage or require city employees in all the departments or offices to
undertake greening (i.e., planting and maintenance of streets, parks and
other available open spaces)

EO 18 (October 1993)
o Launched the Luntiang Lungsod Program with Executive and
Management Committees. Executive Committee was chaired by the City
Mayor while the Management Committee was chaired by the Executive
Director of the Task Force Clean and Green

EO 26 (February 24, 2011)

o “National Greening Program” (NGP)
o Harmonized all greening efforts such as the Upland Development
Program, Luntiang Pilipinas and similar initiatives of the government ,
civil society and private sector
o To plant some 1.5 B trees covering 1.5 million ha for a period of 6 years
from 2011 to 2016 in the following lands of the public domain:
o Forestlands
o Mangrove and protected areas

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 o Ancestral domains
o Urban areas under the greening plans of the LGUs
o Inactive and abandoned mined sites
o Other suitable lands

Proclamations:

Proclamation No. 396 (June 2, 2003)

o Enjoins active participation of various sectors in tree planting activity and
declares June 25 as Philippine Arbor Day. During this day, tree planting and
nurturing activities are celebrated.
o Promotes multi-sectoral participation in the nationwide tree planting for
environmental awareness.
o Requires respective participating agencies to maintain and protect planted
seedlings.
o Penalizes unauthorized cutting, destruction, damaging and injuring of certain
trees, plants and vegetation in public places.

Memoranda:

Memorandum Order Nos. 198 and 199, series of November 9, 1988

o Greening of Metro Manila (Luntiang Kamaynilaan or LKP) program.
o Encouraged each city and municipality to have gardens or parks of their own
to carry out greening activities within their jurisdiction
o aims to plant million trees in 3 years and achieve a destined 1:4 tree-man ratio
o An Inter-Agency Committee approach of participation

Memorandum Order Circular No. 5, series of 1992 (August 27, 1992)

o Clean and green program
o included not only greening but also cleaning making it much wider in scope
o created an Inter-Agency committee and adopted a plan for the cleaning and
greening of Metro Manila and other key cities and metro-cities of the
Philippines.
o Aims for massive planting of 0.5 million trees per year or 2.5 million trees in
five years (1992-1997) for a 1.4 tree-man ratio

DENR-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 (December 17, 1993)

o Implementing Guidelines for Adopt-a-Street/Park Program
o Provides the roles for each participating agency and sets activities in the
identification, selection, and adoption of street park to be developed.
o Mandated the DENR to provide assistance to “adopters” in selecting suitable
site, provides planting materials and monitor performance.

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Ordinances:

Letter of Instruction No. 1312, series of April 23, 1983

o Establishment and Development of Tree Parks throughout the Country
o Mandated the LGUs to establish and maintain at least one forest tree park
o Requires DENR to allocate public lands, provide technical assistance and
seedlings.

Forestry Master Plan

Philippine Master Plan for Forestry Development in 1990

o Inclusion of urban forestry as a response to the degrading urban environment
o The goal of the national urban forestry program was the rehabilitation of the
environment of urban centers and it aimed specifically for the establishment of
tree strips and forest parks to help in reducing air noise, sight pollution and
improving air temperature in urban areas and to attain 1 tree for 4 persons
ratio.
o Priority areas include Metro Manila, Cebu City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro,
Ilo-ilo City, Zambonga City and other cities.
o A major component of the project was the establishment of forest parks and
mini-forest in strategic locations
o Size of the forest parks will cover from one to five hectares depending on the
availability of the area while the number of parks will be based on the
population of the city.
o A ratio of one park for every 100,000 to 150,000 residents was targeted.
o Grounds landscaping in public and private institutional premises, school
grounds, military camps, commercial and industrial establishments were
likewise targeted.
o Greenbelt development or the greening of the major thoroughfares, street/road
corridors was envisioned as a joint undertaking of the LGUs, local offices of
the DENR and NGOs.

References

Lanuza, R. L. and Sumabat, J. T. 2004. Guide to Urban Greening and Landscaping.

Technology Transfer Series. Vol. 15 No. 2 ERDS-DENR R-7.

Palijon, A. M., Tabliga, K. R. and V. F. Palomo. Urban Forestry: Programs and

Policies. Primer. CFNR-UPLB

FAO. 2016. Guidelines on Urban and Peri-Urban Forestry. FAO Forestry Paper 178,
ISSN 199-2882. Rome, Italy. 172 pp.

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