Selecting and field testing climate-ready trees in California

Urban forests are at risk from stressors associated with climate change, such as drought, heat, pests and extreme weather event. Meanwhile, management of urban forests is slow to adapt - it takes decades to gradually shift the planting palette to a more resilient forest. The 4-step process for selecting and field testing tree species presented in this talk has potential to serve as a framework for cities interested in climate adaptation through urban forestry. The process is exemplified by a newly established 20-year study of tree species planted in park and reference sites within three California climate zones.