Exotic trees contribute to urban forest diversity and ecosystem services in inner-city Cleveland,OH

Vacant land, a product of population and economic decline resulting in abandonment of infrastructure, has increased substantially in shrinking cities around the world. In Cleveland, Ohio, vacant lots are minimally managed, concentrated within low-income neighborhoods, and support a large proportion of the city’s urban forest. We quantified abundance, richness, diversity, and size class of native and exotic tree species on inner-city vacant lots, inner-city residential lots, and suburban residential lots, and used i-Tree Eco to model the quantity and economic value of regulating ecosystem services provided by their respective forest assemblages. Inner-city vacant lots supported three times as many trees, more exotic than native trees, and greater tree diversity than inner-city and suburban residential lots, with the plurality of trees being naturally-regenerated saplings. The urban forest on inner-city vacant lots also had two times as much leaf area and leaf biomass, and more tree canopy cover. The quantity and monetary value of ecosystem services provided by the urban forest was greatest on inner-city vacant lots, with exotic species contributing most of that value, while native taxa provided more monetary value on residential lots. The predominately naturally-regenerated, minimally managed exotic species on vacant land provide valuable ecosystem services to inner-city neighborhoods of Cleveland, OH.     

Assessing the performance of urban forest carbon sequestration models using direct measurements of tree growth

Across cities worldwide, people are recognizing the value of greenspace in ameliorating the health and well-being of those living there, and are investing significant resources to improve their greenspace. Although models have been developed to allow the quantification of ecosystem services provided by urban trees, refinement and calibration of these models with more accurate site- and species-specific data can increase confidence in their outcomes. We used data from two street tree surveys in Cambridge, MA, to estimate annual tree mortality for 592 trees and diameter growth rates for 498 trees. Overall tree turnover between 2012 and 2015 was relatively low (annualized 3.6% y⁻¹), and mortality rate varied by species. Tree growth rates also varied by species and size. We used stem diameter (DBH) and species identity to estimate CO₂ sequestration rates for each of 463 trees using three different model variations: (1) i-Tree Streets, (2) Urban Tree Database (UTD) species-specific biomass allometries and growth rates, and (3) empirically measured growth rates combined with UTD biomass allometries (Empirical + UTD). For most species, the rate of CO₂ sequestration varied significantly with the model used. CO₂ sequestration estimates calculated using i-Tree Streets were often higher than estimates calculated with the UTD equations. CO₂ sequestration estimates were often the lowest when calculated using empirical tree growth estimates and the UTD equations (Empirical + UTD). The differences among CO₂ sequestration estimates were highest for large trees. When scaled up to the entire city, CO₂ sequestration estimates for the Empirical + UTD model were 49.2% and 56.5% of the i-Tree Streets and UTD estimates, respectively. We suggest future derivations of ecosystem service provision models allow localities to input their own species-specific growth values. By adding capacity to easy-to-use tools, such as i-Tree Streets, we can increase confidence in the model output.     

Allometric equations for urban ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in Oakville,Southern Ontario,Canada

Tree growth equations are an important and common tool used to effectively assess the yield and determine management practices in forest plantations. Increasingly, they are being developed for urban forests, providing tools to assist urban forest managers with species selection, placement, and estimation of management costs and ecosystem services. This study describes the development of allometric equations for Fraxinus americana and F. pennsylvanica growing in Oakville, Canada. With data collected from 103 ash trees, five allometric models were tested to develop equations estimating diameter-at-breast-height (dbh), tree height, crown width and crown height, using age and dbh as explanatory variables. Mean annual growth rates are presented to demonstrate species growth performance and were not significantly different over the first 40 years of growth for the two species. Of all the tested random coefficient models for both species, the cubic with weight 1/x provided the best fit for estimating dbh from age. The best models for other parameters were the loglog for crown height from dbh, the quadratic for crown diameter from dbh, and the linear for tree height from dbh for F. americana. Model types showed more consistency for F. pennsylvanica with linear providing the best fit for crown diameter, crown height and tree height from dbh. The number of model types suggests the difficulty of fitting any single model to the vast array of conditions affecting plant growth in urban areas where management practices and environment can significantly influence tree size and growth. These models may be used to estimate the growth of ash tree populations in Oakville and communities with similar climate, soil, planting, and management environments.     

The social and economic value of cultural ecosystem services provided by urban forests in North America: A review and suggestions for future research

With the majority of the world’s human population now living in cities, urban forests provide an increasingly important range of ecosystem services, from improved air quality and climate change adaptation to better public health outcomes and increased tourism revenues. The importance of these ecosystem services in urban environments, and the central role that cities play in the lives of people around the world, have motivated various attempts to quantify the value of ecosystem services provided by urban forests. This paper reviews existing research in the fields of urban forestry, economics, sociology, and health on the value of urban ecosystem services, with a focus on cultural services, a category of ecosystem services that is of key importance to human well-being but that has suffered from a lack of empirical research. The review identified 38 studies that examined the value of mixed vegetation, 31 studies that examined the value of trees, and 43 studies that examined the value of green spaces. Psychological health is the most-studied ecosystem service category, with most research in this area focusing on the services of mixed vegetation. Social health, community economic development, and tourism are the least-studied, with most research in these areas focusing on mixed vegetation and trees. Multiple metrics were used to quantify the value of urban greenery within each ecosystem service category but only 11 metrics were assigned a monetary value. Gaps in the literature that present strong opportunities for future research include: the value of urban forests for improving social health, equitable access to ecosystem services, the impact of urban forests on community economic development, and economic valuation and green exposure metrics. We hope that this review stimulates future research in the areas highlighted and that municipalities consider including evaluations of a broad range of ecosystem services during land use planning and budgeting processes.     

Assessing above-ground biomass of open-grown urban trees: A comparison between existing models and a volume-based approach

Assessment of the amount of carbon sequestered and the value of ecosystem services provided by urban trees requires reliable data. Predicting the proportions and allometric relationships of individual urban trees with models developed for trees in rural forests may result in significant errors in biomass calculations. To better understand the differences in biomass accumulation and allocation between urban and rural trees, two existing biomass models for silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) were tested for their performance in assessing the above-ground biomass (AGB) of 12 urban trees. In addition, the performance of a volume-based method utilizing accurate terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data and stem density was evaluated in assessing urban tree AGB. Both tested models underestimated the total AGB of single trees, which was mainly due to a substantial underestimation of branch biomass. The volume-based method produced the most accurate estimates of stem biomass. The results suggest that biomass models originally based on sample trees from rural forests should not be used for urban, open-grown trees, and that volume-based methods utilizing TLS data are a promising alternative for non-destructive assessment of urban tree AGB.     

Sustainable management of urban tree stocks based on multi-criteria scenario modelling

Urban tree managers are challenged with sustainable ecosystem service provision in particular when urban tree populations become over mature. Therefore, managers have to quantify both future services and population stability. We exemplify an approach for estimating the tradeoff between cooling, CO₂-fixation and crown volume development, and the time until the changing tree population becomes stable. Using a realistic distribution of age classes and functional groups, we evaluate the balance between service provision and stabilization over decades to centuries. Their tradeoff mainly depends on the proportion of functional groups used in the replacement of mortal trees. Moreover, managers may steer tradeoff through an intentional planting postponement and acquisition of additional space.     

Loss of street trees predicted to cause 6000 L/tree increase in leaf-on stormwater runoff for Great Lakes urban sewershed

Urban forests are recognized as a nature-based solution for stormwater management. This study assessed the underlying processes and extent of runoff reduction due to street trees with a paired-catchment experiment conducted in two sewersheds of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Computer models are flexible, fast, and low-cost options to generalize and assess the hydrologic processes determined in field studies. A state-of-the-art, public-domain model, which explicitly simulates urban tree hydrology, i-Tree Hydro, was used to simulate the paired-catchment experiment, and results from field observations and simulation predictions were compared to assess model validity and suitability as per conditions in the broader Great Lakes basin. Model parameters were aligned with observed conditions using automatic and manual calibration. Model performance metrics were used to quantify the weekly performance of calibration and to validate predictions. Those calibration metrics differed substantially between the two periods simulated, but most calibration metrics remained positive, indicating the model was not fitting only the period used for calibration. Predicted avoided runoff for a five-month leaf-on period was 64 L/m² of canopy, 4 % lower than the field-estimated avoided runoff of 66 L/m² of canopy. Interception was the most directly comparable process between the model and field observations. Based on 5 storms sampled, field estimation of precipitation intercepted and retained on trees averaged 63 % and ranged from 22 % to 81 %, while model estimation averaged 61 % and ranged from 36 % to 99 %. This model was able to fit predictions to observed catchment discharge but required extensive manual calibration to do so. The i-Tree Hydro model predicted avoided runoff comparable with the field study and earlier assessments. Additional field studies in similar settings are needed to confirm findings and improve transferability to other tree species and environmental settings.     

Modeling height-diameter relationship for artificial monoculture Metasequoia glyptostroboides in sub-tropic coastal megacity Shanghai,China

Tree height is a key variable in forest monitoring studies and for forest management. However, tree height measurement is time consuming, and the recommended procedure is to use estimates from tree height (H) - diameter at breast height (DBH) models. Increasingly, H-DBH models are being developed for urban forests, providing tools to forest management and ecosystem services estimation. Here, we compared model forms and approaches for predicting H as a function of DBH and additional stand level covariates variables. Four model forms were evaluated: (i) basic models (which only used DBH as predictor variable); (ii) generalized models (which used DBH and other predictor variables based on the best basic model); (iii) a mixed-effects model based on the best basic model; and (iv) a mixed-effects model based on the generalized model. Several sampling designs aimed at minimizing height measurement were tested in terms of accuracy and applicability. Taking predicted accuracy and investigation cost into account, we recommend generalized non-linear mixed-effects model (NLME) when there were two or less tree height measurements taken in a given stand. The basic NLME model could be calibrated when there were 3 or more tree height measurements, depending on the required level of accuracy and investigation cost. Additionally, we first reported that soil pH as a covariate variable in H-DBH model and our generalized NLME model implied that the difference in the H-DBH relationship caused by pH varies among different stands. This finding may be attributable to differing biological properties of the similar alkaline tolerance species.     

The impact of pruning and mortality on urban tree canopy volume

Urban trees provide a wide range of ecosystem services for city residents, with tall, mature trees with wide crowns generally regarded as preferable. The tree biomass which is responsible for shading, pollution removal, rain runoff retention etc. gets periodically reduced by the municipal tree management practice of pruning. This is a necessary activity, which reduces the risk of infrastructure damage and falling branches, but many estimates of ecosystem service provision in cities do not consider its impact explicitly. Tree mortality is also higher in cities, preventing trees from attaining and remaining at large sizes. This study used extensive field measurements of tree structure to estimate the impact of pruning on 8 tree species in two Italian cities: Taranto and Florence. Crown widths were reduced by 1.6 m on average, however there is large variation between species variation with branches more often being removed for thinning crowns resulting in larger gap fractions, which increased by 15% on average. No significant differences were observed for crown widths or gap fraction between trees pruned 3 and 4 years previously, suggesting that tree crowns structurally recover from pruning after 3 years. A deterministic model revealed that current urban forest pruning rates (every 6 years) and mortality (1%) may create a situation in which a city dominated by the species studied benefits from 93.5% of the maximum ecosystem services possible. This work will allow more nuanced estimates of urban forest services to be calculated.     

Structural response of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) to varying urban environments analyzed by terrestrial laser scanning: Implications for ecological functions and services

Quantitative measurements of structure and morphology of urban trees are hardly exhausted so far, especially in regard to variations caused by altering urban environments. However, structure and functions of trees are heavily interwoven. In fact, knowledge about structural attributes is essential for a better understanding of urban ecosystem functions and services. In order to scrutinize spatially explicit and detailed structural attributes under varying urban environments, we acquired terrestrial laser scans and applied the according methodological approaches to the common urban tree species black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.). We analyzed 52 small-leaved limes and 41 black locust trees within the city of Munich (Germany). Species as well as growing location had a significant effect on the height-diameter relation. We also found greater crown volumes for small-leaved lime. Black locust however, displayed more crown projection area and likely more shade efficient crown shapes at similar volumes. Stem inclination of black locust was found to be higher in parks than in street canyons with town squares lying in between. Furthermore, black locust displayed strong crown asymmetry in park areas, likely caused by competition with neighbors. The angles of main branches did not differ significantly between both species nor between the growing location. Branch angles, branch bending, the length of the branches as well as species and growing location had a significant effect on vertical crown center position, i.e. general crown shape. Surface complexity of lime is lower than of black locust, with its lowest manifestation in parks. Fractal-like crown surface structures, increasing surface roughness and complexity, were found to be more pronounced for black locust than for small-leaved lime. Thereby, black locust featured the highest crown surface complexity in parks, the lowest in street canyons. The results suggest that studies on spatially explicit tree structures may contribute to more target oriented tree plantings and thus, more effective exploitation of ecosystem services and benefits.     

Allometric equations for estimating the aboveground volume of five common urban street tree species in Daegu,Korea

Quantifying urban tree biomass and carbon (C) storage by using allometric equations is required for various studies such as assessing the inventory, modelling, and measuring ecosystem services of urban trees. However, the lack of urban-specific allometric equations leads to uncertainty when estimating urban tree biomass and C storage. Therefore, we followed a nondestructive approach and developed allometric equations specifically for Acer buergerianum Miq., Ginkgo biloba L., Platanus orientalis L., Prunus yedoensis Matsum., and Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makino in Daegu, Korea. Diameter at breast height (DBH)-based and DBH-and-height-based allometric equations were highly accurate at estimating the aboveground volume (R² > 0.92), while the allometric equations for P. orientalis and Z. serrata developed for traditional forests overestimated volume by 68% and 427%, respectively. The addition of a height variable into the DBH-based allometric equations did not increase the reliability of the allometric equations at a local level. The mean aboveground C storage of urban street trees was 24.9 Mg C/ha except for P. orientalis with a mean of 69.7 Mg C/ha, and the total aboveground C storage of urban street trees in Daegu was 10.6 Gg C. Alternatively, a generalized allometric equation which compiled species-specific equations can be applied for large-scale estimation. The generalized equations developed in this study and those found in the literature may suggest a constant value (～2.3–2.4) for the scaling exponent in the generalized equations. Allometric equations developed from natural or artificial stands may overestimate the volume of urban street trees; therefore, estimating urban tree biomass and C storage requires urban-specific allometric equations.     

Estimation of individual leaf area,fresh weight,and dry weight of hydroponically grown cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) using leaf length,width, and SPAD value

Non-destructive and mathematical approaches of modeling can be very convenient and useful for plant growth estimation. To predict individual leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight of a cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), models were developed using leaf length, leaf width, SPAD value, and different combinations of these variables. Eight regression equations, commonly used for developing growth models, were compared for accuracy and adaptability. The three nonlinear models developed were as follows: individual leaf area (LA) = −210.61 + 13.358W + 0.5356LW (R² = 0.980^***), fresh weight (FW) = −2.72 + 0.0135LW + 0.00022LWS (R² = 0.956^***), and dry weight (DW) = 0.25 − 0.00102LS + 0.000077LWS (R² = 0.956^***), where L is the leaf length, W the leaf width, S the SPAD value, and LWS = L × W × S. For validation of the model, estimated values for individual leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight showed strong agreement with the measured values, respectively. Leaf dry weight, especially, was estimated with a higher degree of accuracy through the use of a SPAD value, as well as leaf length and width. Therefore, it is concluded that models presented herein may be useful for the estimation of the individual leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight of a cucumber with a high degree of accuracy.     

Shade factors for 149 taxa of in-leaf urban trees in the USA

Shade factors, defined as the percentage of sky covered by foliage and branches within the perimeter of individual tree crowns, have been used to model the effects of trees on air pollutant uptake, building energy use and rainfall interception. For the past 30 years the primary source of shade factors was a database containing values from 47 species. In most cases, values were obtained from measurements on a single tree in one location. To expand this database 11,024 shade factors were obtained for 149 urban tree species through a photometric process applied to the predominant species in 17 U.S. cities. Two digital images were taken of each tree, crowns were isolated, silhouette area defined and shade factors calculated as the ratio of shaded (i.e., foliage and woody material) pixels to total pixels within the crown silhouette area. The highly nonlinear relationship between both age and diameter at breast height (DBH), and shade factor was captured using generalized additive mixed models.We found that shade factors increased with age until trees reached about 20 years or 30 cm DBH. Using a single shade factor from a mature tree for a young tree can overestimate actual crown density. Also, in many cases, shade factors were found to vary considerably for the same species growing in different climate zones. We provide a set of tables that contain the necessary values to compute shade factors from DBH or age with species and climate effects accounted for. This new information expands the scope of urban species with measured shade factors and allows researchers and urban foresters to more accurately predict their values across time and space.     

Effect of native habitat on the cooling ability of six nursery-grown tree species and cultivars for future roadside plantings

Vegetation in urban areas provides benefits to people, which are increasingly assessed and valued as ecosystem services (ESS). The regulation of the urban microclimate is one of these services, since trees have the potential to reduce urban heat loads by evapotranspiration and shading. Simultaneously, it has been suggested that trees from dry habitats should be used to cope with the increasing risks of drought under climate change in Central Europe. The underlying properties that enable those trees to reduce dependence on the environment, however, are assumed to come at the expense of biomass production and water loss. In the potentially conflicted area between drought tolerance and ESS we compared water consumption, water-use efficiency (WUE), crown structure and growth of six roadside species/cultivars, which are assumed to vary in drought tolerance, due to differing resource supplies in their native habitats. Acer platanoides, Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’, and Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ were compared with Acer campestre, Ostrya carpinifolia, and Tilia tomentosa ‘Brabant’, the latter presumably being less water-demanding. Measurements took place in the municipal nursery of Munich during summer 2016.Surprisingly, the less water-demanding species/cultivars exhibited on average 1.24 times higher values of maximum daily sap flux density and up to seven times higher growth rates, both contributing to higher WUE. Scaled to leaf level, however, their mean daily transpiration rates were on average lower (0.21 and 0.31 kg H₂O m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively). They also showed higher flexibility in response to changing weather with increased growth and transpiration under favorable conditions in early summer, but a more conservative water use in dry late summer. The results suggest that these species/cultivars tend to regulate their water use stronger under increasing dryness, whereas canopy size and leaf amount are still the main important determinants of species and cultivar differences in water use.     

Assessing urban greenery by harvesting street view data: A review

Urban greenery is of great significance for sustainable urban development due to the diverse ecosystem services it provides. Assessing urban greenery can reveal its impact on urban areas and provide the evidence base for strategic urban forest management and planning, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development. Street View (SV) images are being used more frequently and widely for assessing urban greenery due to the advantages of providing new perspective and saving workload and research costs. In this paper, 135 peer-reviewed publications that employed SV to assess urban greenery between 2010 and 2022 are reviewed. Presently, the most widely applied area of SV-based urban greenery research is to extract the green view index. Although this has many potential applications for assessing ecosystem services, it has most often been used to date to identify the impact of street greenery on residents' physical and mental health, activities, and well-being (i.e., cultural services). In contrast, fewer studies have explored the other ecosystem services related to the greening. Overall, as an emerging urban environment research method, this review shows that there are still challenges in the utilisation of SV images for assessing urban greenery applications. These include the insufficient spatial and temporal coverage of SV images, low data collection accuracy and immaturity of suitable deep learning techniques on object identification. However, there is clear potential for these approaches to be developed to support a broader range of urban greenery studies that consider different ecosystem services and/or specific types of green infrastructure, for example, street trees.     

木菠萝叶面积无损伤测定方法研究

运用SPSS13．0,建立了以各种叶形的木菠萝实际面积、叶长、叶宽为测算指标的叶面积计算回归模型。结果表明,木菠萝叶面积（LA）与叶长（L）、叶宽（w）呈极显著回归关系。通过比较择优,模型LA=-23．644＋1．899w＋3．491L＋0．023LW＋0．545w。适用于所有叶形木菠萝的叶面积估算。通过对该叶形回归模型的使用,可实现木菠萝叶面积的活体快速估测。     

Estimation of urban tree canopy cover using random point sampling and remote sensing methods

Trees play an important role in urban areas by improving air quality, mitigating urban heat islands, reducing stormwater runoff and providing biodiversity habitat. Accurate and up-to-date estimation of urban tree canopy cover (UTC) is a basic need for the management of green spaces in cities, providing a metric from which variation can be understood, change monitored and areas prioritised. Random point sampling methods, such as i-Tree canopy, provide a cheap and quick estimation of UTC for a large area. Remote sensing methods using airborne Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) and multi-spectral images produce accurate UTC maps, although greater processing time and technical skills are required. In this paper, random point sampling and remote sensing methods are used to estimate UTC in Williamstown, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. High resolution multi-spectral satellite images fused with LiDAR data with pixel-level accuracy are employed to produce the UTC map. The UTC is also estimated by categorising random points (a) automatically using the LiDAR derived UTC map and (b) manually using Google Maps and i-Tree canopy software. There was a minimum 1% difference between UTC estimated from the map derived from remotely sensed data and only 1000 random points automatically categorised by that same map, indicating the level of error associated with a random sampling approach. The difference between UTC estimated by remote sensing and manually categorised random point sampling varied in range of 4.5% using a confidence level of 95%. As monitoring of urban forest canopy becomes an increasing priority, the uncertainties associated with different UTC estimates should be considered when tracking change or comparing different areas using different methods.     

Urban tree diversity—Taking stock and looking ahead

The first International Conference on Urban Tree Diversity hosted in June 2014 by the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Alnarp, Sweden highlighted the need for a better understanding of the current state of urban tree diversity. Here we present and discuss a selection of urban tree diversity themes with the intention of developing and sharing knowledge in a research area that is gaining momentum. We begin by discussing the specific role of species diversity in ecosystem service provision and ecosystem stability. This is followed by exploring the urban conditions that affect species richness. Having determined that many ecosystem services depend on urban tree species diversity and that urban environments are capable of supporting high species diversity, we conclude by addressing how to govern for urban tree diversity.     

Ecosystem functioning in cities: Combined effects of urbanisation and forest size on early-stage leaf litter decomposition of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Environmental changes associated with urbanisation can affect the functioning of ecosystem processes. In cities, forests are among the most frequent types of green areas and provide a wide range of ecosystem services including air cleaning, decomposition of leaf litter and recreation. The European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a frequent and widespread deciduous tree in temperate forests in Central Europe. In this study, we examined the effects of urbanisation on decomposition processes of F. sylvatica leaves in different-sized forests in the urban region of Basel, Switzerland. We used standardised litterbags (mesh size: 2 mm) with F. sylvatica leaves to assess the impact of degree of urbanisation (indicated by the percentage cover of sealed area in the surroundings) and forest size on the early stage of leaf litter decomposition and seasonal microbial activity. We found combined effects of degree of urbanisation and forest size on the decomposition rate of leaf litter (k_litter). Large forests showed the highest k_litter in areas with sparse settlements and the lowest k_litter in densely settled areas, whereas the opposite pattern was recorded for small and medium-sized forests. This indicates that abiotic and biotic forest characteristics of forests of similar size differently influenced k_litter depending on the degree of urbanisation. Moisture content of litter was the best predictor of microbial activity, followed by forest size. We assume that factors acting at the landscape scale such as the degree of urbanisation might be too coarse to detect any differences in microbial activity. Our results revealed that even small urban forests contribute to this important ecosystem function. As decomposers are at the bottom of the food chain, management actions that support the biological activity in soil might be also beneficial for species at higher trophic ranks.     

Updating urban forest inventories: An example of the DISMUT model

Canberra is a unique city in Australia where the trees on public land that dominate the urban forest were planned for at the city's inception. In the mid-1990s, a 100% census of street and park trees was completed, and together with simple health, growth and yield models, this database formed the basis of a decision information system to support the management of the urban trees – DISMUT. The accuracy of the models was evaluated in a study in 2005 where models to predict total tree height were found to be unbiased and precise, tree crown dimension were under-estimated for small trees, and tree health was over-estimated. The over-estimate of health may be due to the relatively poor rainfall conditions over the past 10 years while the biases in crown dimension predictions are more likely due to a too simple model form. However, the existence of DISMUT predictions over all streets and parks in Canberra means that statistically efficient two-phase sampling approaches can be used to correct for any bias in the mean estimates of tree numbers and size, and also to predict the mean value of other environmental, economic or social parameters of interest that are correlated to tree size.