VIRTUAL Lisbon Livable Cities

Abstract

Urban tree canopy expansion is gaining momentum across the United States, driven by goals of mitigating climate impacts, promoting tree equity, and increasing access to shade. Most urban greening initiatives prioritize planting strategically located, large, ball-and-burlapped or container trees—typically native species—along streets and in available park spaces. These specimen trees are valued for their immediate visual impact and higher survival rates in the challenging conditions of urban environments. However, this focus on individual, larger trees can be limiting. To maximize canopy growth and ecological resilience, a broader range of planting strategies is needed. One overlooked approach is the use of seedling trees—young, bare-root trees typically under 18 inches tall—commonly used in floodplain conservation and naturalized landscapes. Despite their diminutive size, seedlings offer distinct advantages for urban forestry: they require different planting and care practices, produce unique ecological outcomes, and foster varied experiential relationships with urban nature. Since 2019, Scarlet Jungles—an experimental forest plot named after a Superman story—has been exploring the spatial, ecological, and experiential potential of seedling trees in urban environments. This ongoing design research challenges conventional approaches to urban canopy development, demonstrating that seedlings can play a vital role in diversifying urban green infrastructures. By integrating seedling-based strategies alongside traditional planting methods, cities can build more adaptable, inclusive, and ecologically rich urban forests.