Urban Forestry History

Based in part on The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920, National Digital Library, Library of Congress.

1634

Boston Common is created as a place for Bostonians to graze their livestock.

1840s

Vermont Congressman George Perkins Marsh warns of the destructive impact of human activity on the land, and advocates a conservationist approach to forest management.

1858

New York City's Central Park is designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

1864

George Perkins Marsh publishes "Man and Nature." Congress passes a bill granting Yosemite Valley to the State of California as a public park.

1865

Frederick Law Olmsted develops Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

1868

Gypsy Moth accidentally introduced near Boston, MA.

1872

Congress establishes Yellowstone National Park. Nebraska observes "Tree-Planting Day" on April 10.

1873

The city fathers of Springfield decided that the streets of the city should be made beautiful by the planting on the principal thoroughfares of rows of ornamental shade trees. Such a proposition was taken up by the city council and at a regular meeting of that body, with the late John McGregor as mayor, and J. H. Payne as city clerk, passed an ordinance to encourage the planting of such street beautifiers The Republican (Springfield, Missouri), July 1, 1873

1907

Arbor Day is celebrated nationwide.

1875

Congress bans the unauthorized cutting or injury of trees on government property.

1878

Frederick Law Olmsted begins work on Boston's "Emerald Necklace," a series of public parks around the city. The Boston Public Garden is the first public botanical garden in the country.

1917

Dutch Elm Disease is first detected in Holland.

1930

Dutch Elm Disease is first spotted in Cleveland.

Late 1940s (after World War II)

Americans flock to the suburbs, accelerating deforestation around cities.

Elm Trees along National Avenue at Grand Street
(Courtesy of The History Museum for Springfield Greene County)

1950s and 60s

Dutch elm disease devastates America's urban forests. Thousands of tree-lined streets are completely clear-cut, and the population of American Elm trees is virtually wiped out.

1969

The Missouri Department of Conservation establishes formal urban forestry program.

1970

The first Earth Day is celebrated on April 22.

1980s

The Reagan administration cuts funds for urban forestry and other ecology programs.

1990

Congress passes the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act, which expands funds for urban forestry twentyfold, and establishes a network of federal and state organizations dedicated to urban and community forestry.

1993

The Alliance for Community Trees is formed, uniting the dozens of local urban forestry groups that have sprung up across the country.

1996

The Asian Long-horned Beetle is detected in Brooklyn in August, and in Amityville one month later. More than 500 trees are removed in six months in an effort to one of the biggest threats to America's urban forests since Dutch Elm Disease.

1999

TreeCityUSA Citizens' Advisory Committee to Springfield City Council formed.

2003

Springfield NeighborWoods street tree planting program approved as part of City's Capital Improvement Program

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	Urban Forestry History Based in part on The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920, National Digital Library, Library of Congress. 1634 Boston Common is created as a place for Bostonians to graze their livestock. 1840s Vermont Congressman George Perkins Marsh warns of the destructive impact of human activity on the land, and advocates a conservationist approach to forest management. 1858 New York City's Central Park is designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. 1864 George Perkins Marsh publishes "Man and Nature." Congress passes a bill granting Yosemite Valley to the State of California as a public park. 1865 Frederick Law Olmsted develops Prospect Park in Brooklyn. 1868 Gypsy Moth accidentally introduced near Boston, MA. 1872 Congress establishes Yellowstone National Park. Nebraska observes "Tree-Planting Day" on April 10. 1873 The city fathers of Springfield decided that the streets of the city should be made beautiful by the planting on the principal thoroughfares of rows of ornamental shade trees. Such a proposition was taken up by the city council and at a regular meeting of that body, with the late John McGregor as mayor, and J. H. Payne as city clerk, passed an ordinance to encourage the planting of such street beautifiers The Republican (Springfield, Missouri), July 1, 1873 1907 Arbor Day is celebrated nationwide. 1875 Congress bans the unauthorized cutting or injury of trees on government property. 1878 Frederick Law Olmsted begins work on Boston's "Emerald Necklace," a series of public parks around the city. The Boston Public Garden is the first public botanical garden in the country. 1917 Dutch Elm Disease is first detected in Holland. 1930 Dutch Elm Disease is first spotted in Cleveland. Late 1940s (after World War II) Americans flock to the suburbs, accelerating deforestation around cities. Elm Trees along National Avenue at Grand Street (Courtesy of The History Museum for Springfield Greene County) 1950s and 60s Dutch elm disease devastates America's urban forests. Thousands of tree-lined streets are completely clear-cut, and the population of American Elm trees is virtually wiped out. 1969 The Missouri Department of Conservation establishes formal urban forestry program. 1970 The first Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. 1980s The Reagan administration cuts funds for urban forestry and other ecology programs. 1990 Congress passes the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act, which expands funds for urban forestry twentyfold, and establishes a network of federal and state organizations dedicated to urban and community forestry. 1993 The Alliance for Community Trees is formed, uniting the dozens of local urban forestry groups that have sprung up across the country. 1996 The Asian Long-horned Beetle is detected in Brooklyn in August, and in Amityville one month later. More than 500 trees are removed in six months in an effort to one of the biggest threats to America's urban forests since Dutch Elm Disease. 1999 TreeCityUSA Citizens' Advisory Committee to Springfield City Council formed. 2003 Springfield NeighborWoods street tree planting program approved as part of City's Capital Improvement Program
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