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Publication Details

Title:
Urban tree database
Author(s):
McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie S.; Peper, Paula J.
Publication Year:
2016
How to Cite:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:
McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie S.; Peper, Paula J. 2016. Urban tree database. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. Updated 21 January 2020. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2016-0005
Abstract:
This data publication contains urban tree growth data collected over a period of 14 years (1998-2012) in 17 cities from 13 states across the United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and South Carolina.

Measurements were taken on over 14,000 urban street and park trees. Key information collected for each tree species includes bole and crown size, location, and age. Based on these measurements, 365 sets of allometric equations were developed for tree species from around the U.S. Each “set” consists of eight equations for each of the approximately 20 most abundant species in each of 16 climate regions. Tree age is used to predict a species diameter at breast height (dbh), and dbh is used to predict tree height, crown diameter, crown height, and leaf area. Dbh is also used to predict age. For applications with remote sensing, average crown diameter is used to predict dbh. There are 171 distinct species represented within this database. Some species grow in more than one region. The Urban Tree Database (UTD) contains foliar biomass data (raw data and summarized results from the foliar sampling for each species and region) that are fundamental to calculating leaf area, as well as tree biomass equations (compiled from literature) for carbon storage estimates. An expanded list of dry weight biomass density factors for common urban species is made available to assist users in using volumetric equations.

Keywords:
biota; environment; health; planningCadastre; society; Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment; Environment and People; Urban natural resources management; Forest & Plant Health; Climate effects; Human effects; Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis; Natural Resource Management & Use; Ecosystem services; allometry; growth models; predictive equations; tree growth; urban trees; United States of America; Arizona; California; Colorado; Florida; Hawaii; Idaho; Indiana; Minnesota; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; Oregon; South Carolina; Orlando; Charleston; Claremont; Modesto; Albuquerque; Indianapolis; Minneapolis; Fort Collins; Berkeley; Queens; Longview; Charlotte; Sacramento; Santa Monica; Glendale; Boise; Honolulu
Related publications:
  • McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie S.; Peper, Paula J. 2016. Urban tree database and allometric equations. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-253. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 86 p. https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/52933
  • Peper, Paula J.; Alzate, Claudia P.; McNeil, John W.; Hashemi, Jalil. 2014. Allometric equations for urban ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in Oakville, Southern Ontario, Canada. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 13(1):175-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2013.07.002
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Access count: 284
Download count: 3145
More details
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https://www.fs.usda.gov/rds/archive/Catalog/RDS-2016-0005