Springfield, Missouri’s urban forest, 2018
| Authors: | Sjana Schanning, Christina Herrick, Robert Hoehn, Katie Jennings, Alexander R. Young |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Resource Bulletin |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-RB-142 |
| Source: | Resour. Bull. NRS-142. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. |
Abstract
A 2018 analysis of the urban forest in Springfield, Missouri reveals that this area has an estimated 3.6 million live trees across all ownerships, two-thirds of which are under 5.0 inches in diameter. The most common large diameter (11.0+ inches in diameter) tree species are black walnut, silver maple, and hackberry. The most common tree species in maintained areas of the city are Siberian elm, eastern redbud, and hackberry. Trees in Springfield are estimated to be currently storing about 342,000 tons of carbon (1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide) valued at $58.4 million. In addition, it is estimated that these trees remove about 16,000 tons of carbon per year and about 289 tons of air pollution per year. Springfield’s urban forest is estimated to reduce annual energy costs of residential buildings by $3.6 million per year and has an overall compensatory value of approximately $1.3 million. The information presented in this report can be used to support urban forest management programs and to inform policy and planning to improve environmental quality and human health in Springfield.