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Lake City hears Trees for South Carolina plan; city canopy ~40% with targeted plantings
Summary
City staff and Trees for SC partners presented a canopy-assessment and planting plan funded through an Inflation Reduction Act grant administered by the South Carolina Forestry Commission; the plan identifies planting sites, community preferences and a goal to maintain roughly 40% canopy and seek a 1–2% increase.
Kayla Hodge and Lisa Jones presented Lake City’s Trees for South Carolina cohort findings during the Dec. 10 council meeting, outlining the program’s goals, community feedback and near-term planting strategies.
Hodge told council the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the Green Infrastructure Center and local partners worked with the city to map its tree canopy and evaluate ordinances and tree data. She reported a current canopy of roughly 40% across 3,388 city parcels, noted 820 parcels with 10% or less canopy and said approximately 497 parcels have the potential to increase canopy by about 20 percentage points.
Community forum feedback prioritized cleaner air and water, flood-mitigation, cooler temperatures and wildlife habitat. Recommended strategies included planting at least one tree downtown on Arbor Day each year, prioritizing community spaces, restarting a tree board for care and education, and youth engagement programs to plant and maintain trees.
Hodge said the grant’s short-term goal is to maintain Lake City’s 40% canopy and to seek a modest increase of 1 to 2 percent over time, acknowledging growth and development can reduce canopy without active planning.
Council thanked the presenters and noted the city has already given away trees under the program and will schedule another giveaway in January; staff flagged potential planting locations and pledged follow-up on operational steps for implementation.
