The phrase "urban forest" does not refer to dense remnant patches of forest in urban centers. It refers to all of the trees and vegetation in urban and suburban areas. Urban forestry represents a union of policy, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental science. An effectively planned urban forest includes all of the aspects of study and has a significant effect on these areas. The idea and planning of urban forests is not something new nor is it confined to these United States. Urban forests have been being planned for many, many years, and they have been studied across the globe. Indeed, when Frederick Law Olmstead conceived of Central Park in New York City or the Fens in Boston more than a century ago he was engaged in urban forestry.

Urban forests do more than just add beauty to our cities. The beauty of our cities is an important consideration, but the range of other benefits that come with urban forests is of equal importance. The many other environmental, economic, and social benefits that are apart of our urban forests are described in detail throughout the following pages.