An urban forest is the collection of trees and greenery, in urban areas, such as parks, street trees and gardens. It offers environmental benefits(air purification, cooling), social benefits( health, recreation) and stimulates biodiversity and economic value. This way it contributes to a sustainable and liveable city.
Urban forestry is the science, technology and skill of managing trees and their ecosystem services in an urban environment( park, street and private trees). It is different from arboriculture( including tree care) where the focus is on the individual tree. In urban forestry we zoom out on the urban forest.
While urban forestry is the science and skill of managing trees and their ecosystem services on a macroscale within urban environments, focusing on the collective urban forest. It contrasts with arboriculture, which works on a microscale, focusing on individual tree care. Both are interconnected, and the Urban Forestry Lab integrates these disciplines for a holistic approach.
In the city, one discipline cannot exist without the other, which is why the Urban Forestry Lab does not make a strict separation between the two disciplines when operating the lab. A video from our Duch colleagues, the tree foundation, illustrates the urban forest beautifully and clearly.