E. Gregory McPherson
Emeritus Scientist
Urban Ecosystems and Social Dynamics Program
1731 Research Park
Davis, CA 95618
United States
Davis, CA 95618
United States
Phone
530-759-1723
Current Research
Dr. Greg McPherson is a Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station located in Davis, CA, Greg grew up under a canopy of American elm trees in Howell, Michigan. Despite attempts to save the trees, all were lost to Dutch elm disease, and having felt the sting of that loss he became a green accountant, developing new methods and tools for quantifying the value of nature's benefits from city trees. He works with a team of scientists to measure and model effects of trees on energy use, urban heat islands, air pollutant uptake, carbon sequestration, and rainfall interception. Their research is helping justify investments in urban forest planning and management. In 2000, Greg received the International Society of Arboriculture's L.C. Chadwick Award for Research. Greg was a co-founder and Chair of the Tree Growth and Longevity Working Group and serves on the California Urban Forest Advisory Council. He attended University of Michigan (BGS), Utah State University (Masters in Landscape Architecture), and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Ph.D. Forestry).
Featured Publications
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Xiao, Qingfu; Aguaron, Elena. 2013. A new approach to quantify and map carbon stored, sequestered and emissions avoided by urban forests
- McPherson, E.Gregory; Kotow, Louren. 2013. A municipal forest report card: Results for California, USA
- Aguaron, Elena; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2012. Comparison of methods for estimating carbon dioxide storage by Sacramento's urban forest
- Young, Robert F.; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2013. Governing metropolitan green infrastructure in the United States
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Peper, Paula J. 2012. Urban tree growth modeling
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Xiao, Q.; Wu, C. 2011. Million trees Los Angeles canopy cover and benefit assessment
Other Publications
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Berry, Allison; van Doorn, Natalie; Downer, James; Hartin, Janet; Harver, Darren; Teach, Erica. 2020. Climate-ready tree study: update for Southern California communities
- Roman, Lara A.; van Doorn, Natalie S.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Scharenbroch, Bryant C.; Henning, Jason G.; Ӧstberg, Johan P.A.; Mueller, Lee S.; Koeser, Andrew K.; Mills, John R.; Hallett, Richard A.; Sanders, John E.; Battles, John J.; Boyer, Deborah J.; Fristensky, Jason P.; Mincey, Sarah K.; Peper, Paula J.; Vogt, Jess. 2020. Urban tree monitoring: a field guide
- van Doorn, Natalie S.; Roman, Lara A.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Scharenbroch, Bryant C.; Henning, Jason G.; Östberg, Johan P.A.; Mueller, Lee S.; Koeser, Andrew K.; Mills, John R.; Hallet, Richard A.; Sanders, John E.; Battles, John ; Boyer, Debra J.; Fristensky, Jason P.; Mincey, Sarah K.; Peper, Paula J.; Vogt, Jessica M. 2020. Urban tree monitoring: a resource guide
- van Doorn, Natalie S.; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2018. Demographic trends in Claremont California’s street tree population
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Xiao, Qingfu; van Doorn, Natalie S.; Johnson, Nels; Albers, Shannon; Peper, Paula J. 2018. Shade factors for 149 taxa of in-leaf urban trees in the USA
- McPherson, E.Gregory; Berry, Alison M.; van Doorn, Natalie S. 2018. Performance testing to identify climate-ready trees
- Griffin, Jason J.; Jacobi, William R.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Sadof, Clifford S.; McKenna, James R.; Gleason, Mark L.; Gauthier, Nicole Ward; Potter, Daniel A.; Smitley, David R.; Adams, Gerard C.; Gould, Ann Brooks; Cash, Christian R.; Walla, James A.; Starrett, Mark C.; Chastagner, Gary; Sibley, Jeff L.; Krischik, Vera A.; Newby, Adam F. 2017. Ten-year performance of the United States national elm trial
- Li, Xiang; Xiao, Qingfu; Niu, Jianzhi; Dymond, Salli; McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie; Yu, Xinxiao; Xie, Baoyuan; Zhang, Kebin; Li, Jiao. 2017. Rainfall interception by tree crown and leaf litter: an interactive process
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Xiao, Q.; van Doorn, Natalie; Peper, P.; Teach, E. 2017. Surface storage of rainfall in tree crowns: not all trees are equal
- Xiao, Qingfu; McPherson, E.; Zhang, Qi; Ge, Xinlei; Dahlgren, Randy. 2017. Performance of two bioswales on urban runoff management
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Xiao, Qingfu; van Doorn, Natalie S.; de Goede, John; Bjorkman, Jacquelyn; Hollander, Allan; Boynton, Ryan M.; Quinn, James F.; Thorne, James H. 2017. The structure, function and value of urban forests in California communities
- McPherson, E.G. ; Berry, A.M. ; van Doorn, N.S. ; Downer, J. ; Hartin, J. ; Haver, D. ; Teach, E. 2017. Climate-ready tree study – update for Central Valley communities
- McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie S.; Teach, E. 2017. Evaluation of six drought tolerant trees 17 years after planting in Northern California
- Ko, Yekang; Roman, Lara A.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Lee, Junhak. 2016. Does tree planting pay us back? Lessons from Sacramento, CA
- Li, Xiang; Niu, Jianzhi; Zhang, Linus; Xiao, Qingfu; McPherson, Gregory E.; van Doorn, Natalie; Yu, Xinxiao; Xie, Baoyuan; Dymond, Salli; Li, Jiao; Meng, Chen; Luo, Ziteng. 2016. A study on crown interception with four dominant tree species: a direct measurement
- McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie S.; Peper, Paula J. . 2016. Urban tree database and allometric equations
- McPherson, E. Gregory; van Doorn, Natalie; de Goede, John. 2016. Structure, function and value of street trees in California, USA
- Livesley, S. J.; McPherson, E. G.; Calfapietra, C. 2016. The urban forest and ecosystem services: impact on urban water, heat, and pollution cycles at the tree, street, and city scale
- Xiao, Qingfu; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2016. Surface water storage capacity of twenty tree species in Davis, California
- Lee, Jun-Hak; Ko, Yekang; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2016. The feasibility of remotely sensed data to estimate urban tree dimensions and biomass
- Ko, Yekang; Lee, Jun-Hak; McPherson, E. Gregory; Roman, Lara A. 2015. Long-term monitoring of Sacramento Shade program trees: tree survival, growth and energy-saving performance
- Taha, Haider; Wilkinson, James; Bornstein, Robert; Xiao, Qingfu; McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, Jim; Anderson, Charles; Lau, Steven; Lam, Janice; Blain, Cindy. 2015. An urban-forest control measure for ozone in the Sacramento, CA federal non-attainment area (SFNA)
- Paine, T.D.; Millar, J.G.; Hanks, L.M.; Gould, J.; Wang, Q.; Daane, K.; Dahlsten, D.L.; McPherson, E.G. 2015. Cost-benefit analysis for biological control programs that target insects pests of eucalypts in urban landscapes of California
- Ko, Yekang; Lee, Jun-Hak; McPherson, E. Gregory; Roman, Lara A. 2015. Factors affecting long-term mortality of residential shade trees: evidence from Sacramento, California
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Kendall, Alissa; Albers, Shannon. 2015. Life cycle assessment of carbon dioxide for different arboricultural practices in Los Angeles, CA
- McPherson, E.G.; Kendall, A.; Albers, S. 2015. Million Trees Los Angeles: Carbon dioxide sink or source?
- McPherson, E.G.; Berry, A.M. 2015. Climate ready urban trees for Central Valley cities
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Kendall, Alissa. 2014. A life cycle carbon dioxide inventory of the Million Trees Los Angeles program
- McPherson, Greg; Xiao, Qingfu; Purohit, Joe; Dietenberger, Mark; Boardman, Charles (C.R.); Simpson, Jim; Peper, Paula. 2014. ecoSmart landscapes: a versatile SaaS platform for green infrastructure applications in urban environments
- McPherson, E. Gregory. 2014. Monitoring Million Trees LA: Tree performance during the early years and future benefits
- Gray, G.; McPherson, E.G.; Mills, C.; Morehouse, E. 2014. Urban forest projects and California’s climate change policies and programs
- McPherson, E.G.; Albers, S. 2014. Evaluation of seven drought tolerant tree species for central California
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Prince, Robert. 2013. Water scarcity and urban forest management: introduction
- Baldauf, Richard; McPherson, Greg; Wheaton, Linda; Zhang, Max; Cahill, Tom; Bailey, Chad; Hemphill Fuller, Christina; Withycombe, Eearl; Titus, Kori. 2013. Integrating vegetation and green infrastructure into sustainable transportation planning
- Roman, Lara A.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Scharenbroch, Bryant C.; Bartens, Julia. 2013. Identifying common practices and challenges for local urban tree monitoring programs across the United States
- McPherson, Greg. 2012. Urban tree growth & longevity working group
- McPherson, E.Gregory; Sharenbroch, Bryant C. 2012. Urban tree growth & longevity: Introduction
- Kendall, Alissa; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2012. A life cycle greenhouse gas inventory of a tree production system
- Soares, A.L.; Rego, F.C.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Xiao, Q. 2011. Benefits and costs of street trees in Lisbon
- Baldauf, R.; Jackson, L.; Hagler, G.; Vlad, I.; McPherson, G.; Nowak, D.; Cahill, T.; Zhang, M.; Cook, R.; Bailey, C.; Wood, P. 2011. The role of vegetation in mitigating air quality impacts from traffic emissions
- McPherson, E. Gregory. 2011. Propelling arboriculture into the future
- Xiao, Qingfu; McPherson, Gregory. 2011. Performance of engineered soil and trees in a parking lot bioswale
- Simpson, J.R.; McPherson, E.G. 2011. The tree BVOC index
- Xiao, Qingfu; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2011. Rainfall interception of three trees in Oakland, California
- Unger, Katherine; Abhat., Divya; Millar, Constance; McPherson, Greg [featured scientists]. 2010. New focus on forests
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula. J.; Crowell, Aaron M.N.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2010. Northern California coast community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- McPherson, E.G. 2010. Selecting reference cities for i-Tree Streets
- Peper, Paula J.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Albers, Shannon N.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2010. Central Florida community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- McPherson, E.G.; Ferrini, F. 2010. Trees are good, but…
- McPherson, E.G. 2010. Tools for valuing tree and park services
- McPherson, E.G.; Young, R. 2010. Understanding the challenges of municipal tree planting
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Xiao, Q. 2009. City of Orlando, Florida municipal forest resource analysis
- McPherson, E.G. 2009. From frill to fundamental: The growing importance of science to the tree care industry
- McHale, M.R.; Burke, I.C.; Lefsky, M.A.; Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G. 2009. Urban forest biomass estimates: is it important to use allometric relationships developed specifically for urban trees?
- McPherson, E.G. 2009. Observing urban forests in Australia
- Peper, Paula J.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Vargas, Kelaine E.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2009. Lower Midwest community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- McPherson, Gregory E.; Simpson, James R.; Xiao, Qingfu; Chunxia, Wu. 2008. Los Angeles 1-Million tree canopy cover assessment
- 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
- Vargas, Kelaine E.; McPherson, Gregory E.; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2008. Tropical community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- McPherson, E.G. 2008. Urban forestry and carbon: what the reporting protocol means to you
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Gardner, S.L.; Vargas, K.E.; Xiao, Q. 2007. New York City, New York Municipal Forest Resource Analysis
- Brasch, S.; Linsen, L.; McPherson, E.G. 2007. Visualization of time-varying natural tree data
- McHale, M.R.; McPherson, E.G.; Burke, I.C. 2007. The potential of urban tree plantings to be cost effective in carbon credit markets
- Rudnick, S.; Linsen, L.; McPherson, E.G. 2007. Inverse modeling and animation of growing single-stemmed trees at interactive rates
- McPherson, E.G. 2007. Benefit-based tree valuation
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Gardner, S.L.; Vargas, K.E.; Xiao, Q. 2007. City of Boise, Idaho Municipal Forest Resource Analysis
- Xiao, Q.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Ustin, S.L. 2007. Hydrological processes at the urban residential scale
- Vargas, Kelaine E.; McPherson, Gregory E.; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2007. Interior West community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- Vargas, Kelaine E.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2007. Temperate Interior West community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Vargas, Kelaine E.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2007. Northeast community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- Pataki, D.E.; Alig, R.J.; Fung, A.S.; Golubiewski, N.E.; Kennedy, C.A.; McPherson, E.G.; Nowak, D.J.; Pouyat, R.V.; Lankao, P.R. 2006. Urban ecosystems and the North American carbon cycle
- McPherson, E.G. 2006. Urban forestry in North America
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Gardner, S.L.; Vargas, K.E.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q. 2006. City of Charleston, South Carolina Municipal Forest Resource Analysis
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Vargas, Kelaine E.; Maco, Scott E.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2006. Piedmont community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- Vargas, K.E.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Gardner, S.L.; Xiao, Q. 2006. City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Municipal Forest Resource Analysis
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Vargas, Kelaine E.; Maco, Scott E.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2006. Coastal plain community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planning
- Pataki, D.E.; Alig, R.J.; Fung, A.S.; Golubiewski, E.; Kennedy, C.A.; McPherson, E.G.; Nowak, D.J.; Pouyat, R.V.; Romero Lankao, P. 2006. Urban ecosystems and the North American carbon cycle
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R.; Peper, Paula J.; Maco, Scott E.; Gardner, Shelley L.; Cozad, Shauna K.; Xiao, Qingfu. 2006. Midwest community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q. 2005. Municipal forest benefits and costs in five U.S. cities
- Xiao, Qingfu ; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2005. Tree health mapping with multispectral remote sensing data at UC Davis, California
- Maco, S.E.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Xiao, Q. 2005. City of Berkeley, California Municipal Tree Resource Analysis
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Gardner, S.L.; Vargas, K.E.; Cozad, S.; Xiao, Q. 2005. City of Minneapolis, Minnesota Municipal Tree Resource Analysis
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Gardner, S.L.; Vargas, K.E.; Xiao, Q. 2005. City of Boulder, Colorado Municipal Tree Resource Analysis
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Gardner, S.L.; Vargas, K.E.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q. 2005. City of Charlotte, North Carolina Municipal Forest Resource Analysis
- McPherson, E.G.; Muchnick, J. 2005. Effects of street tree shade on asphalt concrete pavement performance
- Linsen, L.; Karis, B.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Hamann, B. 2005. Tree growth visualization
- Xiao, Q.; Ustin, S.L.; McPherson, E.G. 2004. Using AVIRIS data and multiple-masking techniques to map urban forest trees species
- McPherson, Greg; Simpson, J.R. ; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q.; Mulrean, E. 2004. Desert Southwest Community Tree Guide: Benefits, Costs and Strategic Planting
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, Greg; Simpson, J.R.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q. 2004. City of Cheyenne, Wyoming Municipal Tree Resource Analysis
- Maco, S.E.; McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Xiao, Q. 2004. City of San Francisco, California street tree resource analysis
- McPherson, E.G. 2003. Urban forestry: The final frontier?
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R. 2003. Potential energy savings in buildings by an urban tree planting programme in California
- Maco, S.E.; McPherson, E.G. 2003. A practical approach to assessing structure, function, and value of street tree populations in small communities
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q. 2003. Benefit-cost analysis of Fort Collins' municipal forest
- McPherson, E.G. 2003. A benefit-cost analysis of ten tree species in Modesto, California, U.S.A
- Randrup, T.B.; McPherson, E.G.; Costello, L.R. 2003. A review of tree root conflicts with sidewalks, curbs, and roads
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Maco, S.E.; Xiao, Q.; Hoefer, P.J. 2003. Northern Mountain and Prairie Community Tree Guide
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G. 2003. Evaluation of four methods for estimating leaf area of isolated trees
- Xiao, Qingfu ; McPherson, E. Gregory. 2002. Rainfall interception by Santa Monica's municipal urban forest
- McPherson, E.G.; Maco, S.E.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Xiao, Q.; VanDerZanden, A.; Bell, N. 2002. Western Washington and Oregon Community Tree Guide: Benefits, Costs and Strategic Planting
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R. 2002. A comparison of municipal forest benefits and costs in Modesto and Santa Monica, California, U.S.A
- Maco, S.E.; McPherson, E.G. 2002. Assessing canopy cover over streets and sidewalks in street tree populations
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Mori, S.M. 2001. Predictive equations for dimensions and leaf area of coastal Southern California street trees
- Jo, H.-K ; McPherson, E.G. 2001. Indirect carbon reduction by residential vegetation and planting strategies in Chicago, USA
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Xiao, Q. 2001. Benefit-cost analysis of Santa Monica's municipal forest
- McPherson, E.G. 2001. Sacramento's parking lot shading ordinance: environmental and economic costs of compliance
- Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Mori, S.M. 2001. Equations for predicting diameter, height, crown width, and leaf area of San Joaquin Valley street trees
- Simpson, J.; McPherson, G. 2001. Tree planting to optimize energy and CO<sub>2</sub> benefits
- Randrup, T.B.; McPherson, E.G.; Costello, L.R. 2001. Tree root intrusion in sewer systems: A review of extent and costs
- McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R.; Peper, P.J.; Xiao, Q.; Pittenger, D.R.; Hodel, D.R. 2001. Tree Guidelines for Inland Empire Communities
- Jo, H.K.; McPherson, E.G. 2001. Indirect carbon reduction by residential vegetation and planting strategies in Chicago, U.S.A
- McPherson, E.G. 2000. Expenditures associated with conflicts between street tree root growth and hardscape in California
- Xiao, Qingfu ; McPherson, E. Gregory; Ustin, Susan L.; Grismer, Mark E.; Simpson, James R. 2000. Winter rainfall interception by two mature open-grown trees in Davis, California
- Xiao, Qingfu ; McPherson, E. Gregory; Ustin, Susan L.; Grismer, Mark E. 2000. A new approach to modeling tree rainfall interception
- Scott, K.I. ; Simpson, J.R. ; McPherson, E.G. 1999. Effects of tree cover on parking lot microclimate and vehicle emissions
- McPherson, E.G. ; Simpson, J.R. ; Peper, P.J. ; Xiao, Q. 1999. Benefits-cost analysis of Modesto's municipal urban forest
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Simpson, James R. 1999. Carbon dioxide reduction through urban forestry: guidelines for professional and volunteer tree planters
- McPherson, E.G. 1998. Structure and sustainability of Sacramento's urban forest
- Peper, P.J. ; McPherson, E.G. 1998. Comparison of four foliar and woody biomass estimation methods applied to open-grown deciduous trees
- Scott, K.I. ; McPherson, E.G. ; Simpson, J.R. 1998. Air pollutant uptake by Sacramento's urban forest
- Xiao, Q. ; McPherson, E.G. ; Simpson, J.R ; Ustin, S.L. 1998. Rainfall interception by Sacramento's urban forest
- Peper, P.J. ; McPherson, E.G. 1998. Comparison of five methods for estimating leaf area index of open-grown deciduous trees
- McPherson, E.G. 1998. Atmospheric carbon dioxide reduction by Sacramento's urban forest
- Summit, J. ; McPherson, E.G. 1998. Residential tree planting and care: a study of attitudes and behavior in Sacramento, California
- McPherson, E.G. ; Luttinger, N. 1998. From nature to nurture: the history of Sacramento's urban forest
- McPherson, E.Gregory ; Scott, Klaus I; Simpson, James R. 1998. Estimating cost effectiveness of residential yard trees for improving air quality in Sacramento, California, using existing models
- Simpson, J.R. ; McPherson, E.G. 1998. Simulation of tree shade impacts on residential energy use for space conditioning in Sacramento
- McPherson, E. Gregory; Nowak, David; Heisler, Gordon; Grimmond, Sue; Souch, Catherine; Grant, Rich; Rowntree, Rowan. 1997. Quantifying urban forest structure, function, and value: the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project
- Simpson, J.R. ; McPherson, E.G. 1997. The effects of roof albedo modification on cooling loads of scale model residences in Tucson, Arizona
- Nowak, David J.; Rowntree, Rowan A.; McPherson, E. Gregory; Sisinni, Susan M.; Kirkmann, Esther R.; Stevens, Jack C. 1996. Measuring and analyzing urban tree cover
- Simpson, J.R. ; McPherson, E.G. 1996. Potential of tree shade for reducing residential energy use in California
- McPherson, E.G. ; Peper, P.J. 1996. Costs of street tree damage to infrastructure
- McPherson, E.G. ; Rowntree, R.A. ; Wagar, J.A. 1995. Energy-efficient landscapes
- Sacamano, P.L. ; McPherson, E.G. ; Myhre, J. ; Stankovich, M. ; Weih, R.C. 1995. Describing urban forest cover: an evaluation of airborne videography
- Jo, Hyun-Kil ; McPherson, Gregory E. 1995. Carbon Storage and Flux in Urban Residential Greenspace
- McPherson, E. Gregory. 1994. Cooling urban heat islands with sustainable landscapes
- McPherson, Gregory E.; Nowak, David J.; Rowntree, Rowan A. 1994. Chicago's urban forest ecosystem: results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project
- McPherson, Gregory E.; Nowak, David J.; Sacamano, Paul L.; Prichard, Scott E.; Makra, Edith M. 1993. Chicago's evolving urban forest: initial report of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project
- McPherson, E.G. ; Rowntree, R.A. 1993. Energy conservation potential of urban tree planting
- McPherson, E. Gregory. 1993. Monitoring urban forest health
- McPherson, E. Gregory. 1992. Accounting for benefits and costs of urban greenspace
- Dwyer, J.F. ; McPherson, E.G. ; Schroeder, H.W. ; Rowntree, R.A. 1992. Assessing the benefits and costs of the urban forest
- McPherson, E.G. ; Biedenbender, S. 1991. The cost of shade: cost-effectiveness of trees versus bus shelters
- McPherson, E.G. ; Rowntree, R.A. 1989. Using structural measures to compare twenty-two U.S
- McPherson, E.Gregory ; Simpson, James R.; Livingston, Margaret. 1989. Effects of three landscape treatments on residential energy and water use in Tucson, Arizona
Research Highlights
New Model Predicts Urban Tree Growth
Year: 2012
New study developed growth equations for urban tree species throughout the United States
Database captures urban tree sizes, growth rates across U.S.
Year: 2017
Sometimes in the cramped environs of U.S. cities every inch counts, especially if attempting to make space for nature. City planners and urban foresters now have a resource to more precisely select tree species whose growth will be a landscaping dream instead of a maintenance nightmare.
Community Tree Guides Help Managers Show that Trees Pay Us Back
Year: 2010
The 16th and final Community Tree Guide was published for Central Florida based on research conducted in Orlando. Providing complete coverage of the US, any user can now compare future net benefits from alternative tree planting scenarios. In Minnesota, a series of workshops helped communities use a...
One Million Trees LA Canopy Cover Assessment
Year: 2011
The day after Antonio Villaraigosa was elected mayor of the City of Los Angeles he planted a tree and announced his plan to plant one million trees over the next several years. To guide this initiative he called upon PSW scientists to answer some questions: How green is LA today Is there room for a ...
Trees in Los Angeles: Carbon Dioxide Sink or Source
Year: 2014
Tree planting is considered to be among the most effective approaches to cooling urban environments and mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. The Los Angeles tree program known as "City Plants" is one of several mayoral tree planting initiatives launched in the largest U.S. cities. Altogether, the la...
California ‘Street’ Tree Benefits Valued at $1 Billion
Year: 2016
Forest Service researchers use a computerized tree inventory and management program to quantify the number and types of tree species lining California streets, as well as to calculate the value of their various ecological benefits.