Urban Trees: green infrastructure, management challenges and emerging institutional framework

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In a scenario marked by heat waves and extreme weather events, this function takes on a strategic character for the adaptation of cities to climate change.

One of the main challenges is the appropriate selection of species. A significant part of urban trees was established under ornamental criteria, without sufficiently considering site conditions. This can generate individuals with limited crown and root development, as well as water stress in the face of drought.

The selection must consider growth, crown and root architecture, adult size, water availability, soil quality, exposure to pollutants and available space. It must also contemplate coexistence with aerial and underground infrastructure. The lack of planning in these aspects remains a relevant gap in numerous communes.

Another challenge is municipal management. The absence of updated tree inventories, management plans and specialized personnel can lead to inadequate practices, such as drastic pruning or "topping," which affects architecture, reduces vitality and can increase the risk of structural failures. Periodic tree risk assessment should be part of permanent maintenance programs.

In this context, forest engineering plays a fundamental role in phytosanitary and structural diagnosis, species selection, the design of management plans and the training of teams responsible for pruning and assessments.

The creation of the National Forestry Service (Sernafor) also incorporates a new institutional framework, with explicit functions related to urban trees and technical support to municipalities and regional governments.

The challenge is to move from an ornamental vision toward professional management. Diversifying species, ensuring root space, training teams and integrating trees from the urban design stage will make it possible to build more resilient cities. Urban trees are not just landscape: they are green infrastructure and require planning, investment and technical rigor.