Urban Forestry is the study of applying the practices and principals of arboriculture in urban and suburban settings. The Urban Forest in Brookline has been a significant component of Brookline's character for many generations. Written records reflect the community's sentiment about the civic and environmental value of this resource as long ago as the mid 1800's when many of the benefits of trees were quantified, including their impacts on temperatures, storm water runoff, property values, air quality and contribution to an improved sense of safety and security in a community. Brookline was the site of one of the earliest street tree inventories in the country in the late 1800's and has an active urban forestry program in the community with a strong citizen advocacy group. The early recognition of the significance of the Urban Forest led to efforts to maintain public trees which continue to benefit Brookline today. The National Arbor Day Foundation contains a list of the benefits of trees.