A review of residents’ perceptions of urban street trees: addressing ambivalence to promote climate resilience

Street trees are a unique component of the urban forest. They provide multiple ecosystem services but can damage property and infrastructure, so they are frequently perceived with residents’ ambivalence. Global attempts to expand urban tree canopy cover to improve climate resilience are increasingly reliant on residents to establish and maintain street trees. Success depends on community support, which requires an understanding of how residents perceive trees located outside their homes. A review of the literature revealed 21 eligible studies on residents’ perceptions of street trees. Most of these studies were more than 10 years old and were restricted to single geographic regions but contained a wealth of information on factors including residents, sites, and trees. Few studies investigated the potential of these factors to influence residents’ perceptions; those that did had variable results. Inclusion of residents’ perceptions in street tree management requires careful consideration to account for the complexity of responses. Residents’ ambivalence can be addressed through increased awareness of the significant environmental, social, and economic values of street trees through public engagement programs and visual AI. Enforcement of tree protection policies and incentives for tree establishment and maintenance will also aid in the expansion of urban tree cover for improved climate resilience.