THE LIVING AMONGST THE DEAD: THE ROLE OF HALIFAX CEMETERIES AS GREENSPACE AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR EXPANSION OF THE URBAN FOREST

Abstract

Urban forests provide cities with a multitude of benefits but face many survival challenges. This thesis sought to determine the potential for cemeteries to expand the urban forest in Halifax, Nova Scotia through tree planting. Inventories of existing cemetery trees and potential plantable spots were conducted. Interception surveys with cemetery users and interviews with cemetery managers were used to determine the importance of cemetery trees and identify concerns and barriers to planting trees in cemeteries. The results indicate that Halifax cemeteries have relatively high canopy covers primarily composed of older non-native trees, and that the number of cemetery trees could be nearly doubled. Cemetery users highly value cemetery trees and have very few concerns about them. Cemetery managers also value cemetery trees but cited barriers to planting such as a lack of space, financial constraints, and potential for damage. For current canopy cover to be maintained (and expanded), these barriers need to be addressed.