ABSTRACT

The competition in the development of the nation led to the major concern on the urban serenity. Urban forestry as one of the practices in the different States has also increased. Therefore, this study compared the practices in the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa lbom State. It identified different trees planted in the urban environment, ascertained the perception of inhabitants about tree planting, determined the socio-economic impacts of urban trees, identified the factors that militate against successful practice and test the significant difference in the use of trees for socio economic and ornamental purposes using chi-square (z). The data was obtained by administration of (399) questionnaires to residents in each of the areas, using Muley's sample population formula after a reconnaissance survey. Though similar trees were found in the areas, Uyo had some trees used in the urban practices which were not in Eket and Ikot-Ekpene which were Brachystegia eurycoma, Vitex doniana, Moringa oleifera, Euphobia pulcharrima, Heava brasiliensis, Cola nitida, Garcinia cola and Citrus limon. Ikot Ekpene also had · _Pterocarpus mildbreadii and Pterocarpus soyauxii while Eket had similar trees found in both areas. The respondents from Uyo were mostly engaged in the selling of seedlings (18.71 %), Ikot Ekpene were mostly engaged in the selling of firewood (53.79%) while Eket were mostly engaged ii) the selling of fruit (32.00%). The test of significant showed that the use of trees for ornamental purpose in the areas where highly significant as. compared to the use for socio-economic purpose. However, the recommendations made were to create awareness, make planting of trees on world environment and world forestry days compulsory, also to make the assessment of the ecology and general biology of the trees which are to use mandatory