Pacific Southwest

Title: A method for locating potential tree-planting sites in urban areas: a case study of Los Angeles, USA

Author: Wua, Chunxia; Xiaoa,Qingfu; McPherson, Gregory E.

Date: 2008

Source: Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 7 (2008) 65–76

Description: A GIS-based method for locating potential tree-planting sites based on land cover data is introduced. Criteria were developed to identify locations that are spatially available for potential tree planting based on land cover, sufficient distance from impervious surfaces, a minimum amount of pervious surface, and no crown overlap with other trees. In an ArcGIS environment, a computer program was developed to iteratively search, test, and locate potential tree-planting sites by virtually planting large, medium and small trees on plantable areas, with large trees given priority as more benefits are expected to accrue to them. A study in Los Angeles, USA found 2.2 million potential planting sites, approximately 109.3km2 of potential tree canopy cover.

Keywords: GIS, Land cover, Potential tree planting, Quickbird image, Tree canopy cover, Urban forest

View and Print this Publication (1.36 MB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

Wua, Chunxia; Xiaoa,Qingfu; McPherson, Gregory E.   2008.  A method for locating potential tree-planting sites in urban areas: a case study of Los Angeles, USA.   Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 7 (2008) 65–76.