Voting with one’s chainsaw: What happens when people are given the opportunity to freely remove urban trees?

• DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104041
• Publication Date: 2021-02-10T04:07:16Z
• Authors: Jakub Kronenberg; Edyta Łaszkiewicz; Joanna Sziło
• Keywords: Tree (set theory)

Despite what numerous studies on the perceived importance and value of urban trees may suggest, are subject to endless debates controversies. The problems span individuals' reluctance clean up leaves broader discussions a 'modern city' should look like. To study these issues, we benefitted from national-scale policy liberalization that involved drastic change in regulations regarding tree management Poland. Between January June 2017, private property owners were allowed freely remove their (with few exceptions, e.g. nature monuments). This repealing previous obligations obtain permission trees, any charges fines previously applied for removing obligation report removed trees. was introduced by populist government resulted both massive removal but also broad public debate. Eventually, system reintroduced, although new lower. canopy cover loss resulting this context longer-time change, using satellite images Google Earth, manually mapped selected quarters representing different types structure our case city over decade 2010–2019. results show during far exceeded all other years decade, 80% occurred land. They level returned normal when restored. We discuss issues debate related liberalization, explore potential reasons why landowners so enthusiastically seized opportunity Finally, suggest how better protect