Someone must be legally responsible for
the care and management of the community's trees. This may be a
professional forester or arborist, an entire forestry department, or a
volunteer tree board. Often, both a professional staff and advisory
tree board are present, which is a good goal for most communities. A
tree board, or commission, is a group of concerned volunteer citizens
charged by ordinance with developing and administering a comprehensive
tree management program. Balanced, broad-based community involvement
is encouraged. Boards function best if not composed entirely of
tree-related professionals such as forestry professors, nursery
operators, arborists, etc. Fresh ideas and different perspectives are
added by citizens with an interest in trees that is entirely
avocational. Limited, staggered terms of service will prevent
stagnation or burnout, while at the same time assuring continuity.