Seeing the Urban Forest Through the Trees Five best practices for a thriving, equity-driven urban tree canopy By Paul Stewart and LaDonna Baertlein T he experience a person has walking down a street in any given city on a hot summer day can tell you a lot about the status of its urban tree canopy. In many communities, there are neighborhoods where the sun beats down onto a sizzling pavement unadorned by any meaningful foliage, creating waves of heat that assail pedestrians from above and below. In other neighborhoods, large, well-groomed historic trees offer an idyllic experience that lends character and invites people to linger. The difference in the pedestrian experience can change in a short city block - sometimes even property to property. 34 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G