The Urban Forest Health Needs Assessment Survey was completed in compliance with objectives identified in the Northeastern Area’s Urban Forestry Five-Year Plan: 1995-1999. These objectives state that urban forest health concepts and strategies should be incorporated as integral components of urban and community forestry programs. The following actions were identified in the plan:

Assemble a Federal and State team to develop, conduct, and evaluate a survey to assess cooperators’ needs for training and education materials related to plant health. Develop and implement technology transfer programs in urban forest health that are tailored to cooperators’ needs. Through the popular press, apprise the public of serious tree health problems and successful management efforts. The survey was designed to query urban forestry professionals in the 20 northeastern and Midwest States and the District of Columbia, which are served by the Northeastern Area, to learn about their attitudes toward the general issue of urban forest health, identify specific training and information needs in the area of urban tree health management, and discover preferences in educational outreach methods. The survey topics selected are those for which the Forest Service hoped to gain input and guidance. Most are broad topics that form a context for a comprehensive and targeted approach to urban forest health management. Topics included urban forestry professionals’ perceptions of the following:

The general health and current condition of urban forests within their State or city. Specific problems or issues that are adversely impacting the health of urban forests. Interest or perceived need to preserve the health and sustainability of urban forests. Whether preserving the health and sustainability of urban forests is currently an integral component of Urban and Community Forestry programs within their city or State. Long-term tree care and maintenance strategies critical to the preservation of urban forest health. Training and information needs in the subject areas of long-term tree care and maintenance. Preferences in educational outreach methods.

This report summarizes survey findings and provides valuable needs assessment information to assist in the continuing development of comprehensive Federal and State Urban and Community Forestry programs. Survey results indicate a need for Urban and Community Forestry programs to improve the health of urban forests, address key urban tree health issues, implement long-term plant health care practices and strategies, and offer technology transfer programs tailored to identified training and information needs. The survey was mailed to a representative sampling of urban forestry professionals throughout the 20 northeast and Midwest States and the District of Columbia, including State Foresters, State Urban Forestry Coordinators, State Urban Forestry Volunteer Coordinators, State Urban Forestry Council Chairs, University Urban Forestry Extension Specialists, University Diagnostic Clinic Directors, State Plant Health Specialists within the Departments of Natural Resources, Conservation, or Agriculture, and private arborists.

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