UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A professor and a graduate student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have written a book about the historical roots of urban forestry.

Forest genetics professor Henry Gerhold and Stacy Frank, who is now employed by Bartlett Tree Experts, teamed up on the 70-page volume titled "Our Heritage of Community Trees" that includes historical scenes of trees in communities. The book should be appealing not only to North American audiences, but also to readers in Europe and other continents.

The authors uncovered some intriguing findings through a literature search. For example, a series of developments in landscape design spanning over 300 years in Europe eventually culminated in what we now consider commonplace -- street trees.

Voyagers of the seas and the discovery of the "New World" initiated an age of plant exploration and exchange that greatly enriched American and European landscapes, the authors write. But plant dispersion and introduction have been carried on through all ages and in all countries. "The first record of foreign plant introduction was into Egypt in 1570 B.C.," says Gerhold. "Primitive pruning, fertilizing and pest-control practices were described in English publications in 1597 and 1662; much later they were improved through research and experience in Europe and America."

But it was in America that the urban forestry concept first took root even before the term urban forestry was coined, and later developed into a national movement. "For example, in 1792, citizens of Philadelphia petitioned to have public trees planted, recognizing their healthful effects," says Gerhold. "In 1896 this city hired its first professional arborist with the title Chief Forester -- possibly the first urban forester? Other early examples of urban forestry are documented in Georgia, California, Massachusetts, New York, Michigan and other places."

The book's concluding paragraphs challenge readers to take a fresh look at trees in their own communities, and to realize that they can evoke public support and persuade community leaders to build a better tree program.

The book was partially supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, upon the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, which hopes it will stimulate an appreciation of community heritage of landscape trees, and thus instill an ethic that recognizes their value.

"By informing people of the fascinating history of city trees, tree care practices and community tree programs," says Gerhold, "readers may be inspired and challenged to improve public support for urban forestry programs, and thereby contribute to the strategy for keeping urban forests healthy." "Our Heritage of Community Trees" may be ordered from Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council, 56 East Main St., Mechanicsburg PA 17055 at a cost of $16. Phone 814-865-3281 for more information.

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EDITORS: Contact Henry Gerhold at 814-865-3281 or e-mail hdg@psu.edu.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #218