Traits of a bloom: a nationwide survey of U.S. urban tree planting initiatives (TPIs)

Municipal leaders worldwide are showing substantial interest in urban greening. This encompasses incentives, policies, and programs to vegetate landscapes, it often includes tree planting initiatives (TPIs). Over the past decade there has been a seven-fold increase scholarly use of terms denoting TPIs, roughly two-thirds associated studies address TPIs United States (U.S.). reflects bloom TPIs. Yet, limited research on contemporary as historically situated cultural phenomena, best our knowledge no nationwide survey across municipal scales. Addressing these gaps, this article presents findings from 41 States. We report typical traits U.S. six themes: background, dates goals, public awareness, funding governance, planting, stewardship. Respondents identified over 115 that distinguish activity, suggesting discrete form forestry. funded separate traditional forestry, lack institutionalization raises questions about long-term viability. mobilize political financial resources for program launch, purchasing, but may be need greater investment stewardship activities social infrastructure undergirds green infrastructure. Large shade trees ecosystem services native principal factors informing TPI species lists. Beautification regulating functions are, turn, potential benefits animating yet few have conducted assess fulfillment outcomes. study provides foundation future interdisciplinary scholarship humanities, natural sciences, sciences.