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Redmond presents tree‑canopy progress, 37.4% cover in 2023; city to expand plantings and launch first tree giveaway
Summary
Staff reported a steady, small canopy decline since 2019, outlined park and public‑land planting, a citywide tree‑health risk assessment and mitigation work, the Green Redmond Partnership volunteer program, and plans for a September tree giveaway; council asked for ongoing updates and requested public materials and timelines.
City staff and partner program leads updated Redmond City Council on June 24 about progress toward the city’s 2019 Tree Canopy Strategic Plan, reporting recent aerial analysis that shows canopy cover at 37.4% in 2023 (down from 38.1% in 2019) and describing multiple public‑land planting, volunteer and data efforts underway to reach long‑term goals.
Parks and Recreation staff said park operations have averaged roughly 531 planted trees per year from 2019–2024 and have an approved program of prioritized park plantings that can begin as early as fall 2025; staff also completed a tree health risk assessment covering approximately 18,000 city‑owned trees and completed mitigation phases for the highest‑priority removals and pruning.
Public Works reported they have planted about 14,764 trees since 2019 (about 16.1 acres), largely through regional partners such as Washington Conservation Corps and EarthCorps, and highlighted a fall 2024 Bear Creek Park project that used corps crews and volunteer events to plant a stream buffer acre. The Green Redmond Partnership coordinator said nearly 996 acres are enrolled in active stewardship and that volunteers have contributed more than 40,000 hours to date.
Staff announced Redmond’s first city tree giveaway: applications open July 12, with a September 27 planting event, a goal of 500 climate‑resilient mostly‑native trees, and a robust education component including planting guides and follow‑up pruning workshops. Staff asked council to help recruit new forest stewards and noted a proposed 2027–28 budget request to add a program administrator focused on urban forestry.
Councilmembers requested: more accessible public materials summarizing canopy numbers and loss/gain trends; an explanation of how private‑property redevelopment affects canopy; clarity on community engagement and stopgap contacts while long‑term staffing is developed; and a schedule for the tree‑code update, now expected to return to planning bodies and council in late 2025 or early 2026.
No policy vote was taken. Staff said they will continue quarterly or semi‑annual updates to council, post engagement materials for the tree‑code update and deliver a more detailed timeline for planting, stewardship recruitment and the proposed future program administrator position.
