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Birmingham staff say urban-forest inventory improving; commission discusses canopy, outreach and carbon credits
Summary
Forestry staff reported that more than 17,000 city-owned trees are inventoried and that canopy condition and species diversity improved since 2012; the commission discussed planting goals, a possible tree advisory committee and early exploration of urban forest carbon-credit opportunities.
Forestry staff presented a state-of-the-city inventory for public trees and outlined goals to improve species diversity and age distribution.
Scott Zelensky, director of public services, introduced forestry staff and described a recent inventory showing roughly 17,000 city-owned trees logged in the city's TreeKeeper system (out of an estimated 25,000 city-owned trees including parks and wooded areas). Forestry staff said more than 92% of inventoried trees are in fair or better condition, a marked improvement from the 2012 inventory. Staff highlighted a "10/20/30" approach: limit any single genus to 10% of the canopy, target a 40/30/20/10 distribution by diameter class (young to mature), and expand public outreach, twice-yearly planting events and maintenance.
Commissioners and residents asked how private-property trees are distinguished from city trees, how notices are delivered before planned removals and whether the city can seek revenue from carbon-credit programs that monetize sequestration from urban forests. Forestry staff said they are exploring carbon-credit programs but had no immediate recommendation; they also described door-hanger notification protocols for planned removals, multiple contact attempts and the department's arborist staffing (seven certified arborists).
No policy decision was made; commissioners encouraged expanding outreach materials and considering a resident advisory body to reduce controversy around street-tree work.
