Street Tree Management Challenges in Small Cities, Iowa, USA

Abstract Background Small and large cities typically both have street trees, but small cities have fewer resources to manage them. Three 1980s papers assessed that small rural cities in the state of Iowa, USA, were at a disadvantage in managing street trees as reflected in the diversity, age, and condition of their street tree populations. This paper analyzes more current street tree inventory data in conducting a similar assessment. Methods Street tree inventory data were obtained from small, midsize, and large Iowa cities for 2008 to 2024. Tree diversity, age, and condition were analyzed based on city size. Diversity was assessed by relative abundance percentages and diversity index statistics, age by trunk DBH distributions, and condition by ratings for tree wood and leaves. Results Small cities have less street tree diversity than midsize and large cities. A diversity t -test found statistically significant differences based on city size. Small and midsize cities were found to have older tree population profiles than large cities. Large and midsize cities had better condition wood ratings than small cities, but little difference was found between cities for leaf condition. Conclusions Inventory data suggest that Iowa’s small cities still face challenges managing their street trees. Lack of funding is the reason most often cited. Progress is being made although its extent cannot be determined due to lack of longitudinal data. There remains a need to assist Iowa’s small cities in sustainably managing their street trees and maintaining the benefits they provide.