Healthy Urban Trees Start with Skilled Professionals

City life is hectic, and we often forget about the trees around us. But they are essential for the well-being of those who live in urban centers: they help cool the microclimate, improve air quality, reduce stress, and make streets and squares more beautiful and welcoming.

Given so many advantages, the question arises: how can we ensure that city trees remain healthy and safe? The answer lies in the work of those who care for them on a daily basis—and one factor is crucial to the success of this management: adequate training and development of teams .

Why Urban Trees Matter

Green areas provide essential environmental services in cities:

• Air improvement: filter pollutants and release oxygen.

• Thermal comfort: shadows reduce heat islands.

• Mental well-being: contact with greenery reduces stress and anxiety.

• Biodiversity: home to birds, insects and small animals.

• Conviviality and beauty: they value public spaces and encourage community life.

According to Embrapa, more than 80% of the Brazilian population lives in urban areas — in other words, maintaining healthy trees is investing in the health of people and the city.

The challenges of urban management

Caring for trees in urban areas is different from caring for them in rural areas. In urban areas, vegetation coexists with sidewalks, squares, electrical wires, buildings, and heavy traffic. Some common risks and problems include:

• Improper pruning: weakens the plant and can cause branches to fall.

• Conflicts with infrastructure: poorly managed roots damage sidewalks; unmanaged canopies invade wiring.

• Safety: falling branches/trees and the use of chainsaws and tools require procedures and PPE.

• Legal compliance: Many cities have regulations regarding planting, pruning, and removal. Mistakes can result in fines and liability.

As highlighted by Davis et al. (2016) and Dye et al. (2018), incorrect pruning and management are one of the main causes of accidents and structural damage to urban trees .

Why empower teams

1️⃣ Tree health

Trained professionals apply correct planting, management and pruning techniques, respecting the physiology of the species and the appropriate time of year. Result: more vigorous and long-lived trees.

2️⃣ Safety of people and workers

The management involves working at heights and using cutting equipment. Training reduces accidents and standardizes the use of PPE, ensuring that the work is done safely and efficiently.

3️⃣ Efficiency and quality

Skilled teams perform with greater quality and in less time, reducing rework, waste, and costs—a real benefit for city governments, businesses, and citizens.

4️⃣ Compliance with standards and laws

Those who are trained are familiar with local legislation and applicable technical standards, avoiding violations and strengthening the credibility of the service.

Good practices that make a difference

Well-trained professionals implement routines that raise the standard of service:

• Planting planning: choosing the right species for the location, analyzing space, wiring and soil.

• Conscious pruning: correct cuts, at the right time, using techniques that preserve the tree and prevent unnecessary regrowth.

• Monitoring and diagnosis: early identification of pests, diseases and structural failures.

• Safe operation of equipment: maintenance, checklists and strict use of PPE and procedures.

These practices follow recommendations from research published in journals such as Ambiente & Sociedade and Arboriculture & Urban Forestry , which link professional training to the efficiency and health of urban trees.

The role of experts

Arborists plan, guide, and train teams. This chain of knowledge —from technical design to skilled execution—ensures that daily management reflects the best in science and practice.

Authors such as Dutra (2012) and Chiavenato (2000) reinforce that people development is strategic for the efficiency and sustainability of organizations, including in urban arboriculture.

Who benefits from training?

• The city: more shade, fewer heat islands, livelier public spaces.

• The population: safety, well-being and quality of life.

• Workers: fewer accidents, more recognition and a more solid career.

• Organizations: efficiency, cost reduction, positive image and better results in contracts and indicators.

Investing in the training of tree caretakers is investing in the city. Quality urban tree planting starts with qualified people —and the results are seen in shaded streets, well-maintained parks, and healthier, happier communities.

📖 Read the full study at:👉 How training and capacity building for green space management workers can impact the health of urban trees