Wilmington staff outline possible tree-ordinance changes, cite canopy losses and new protections

Linda Painter, director of planning and development, told the Wilmington Tree Commission on April 22 that staff are drafting possible changes to the city’s tree ordinance to strengthen protections for public trees while balancing development needs.

Painter said the city adopted an Urban Forestry Master Plan in July 2023 and has planted about 1,300 new street trees since 2020. She reported canopy estimates fell from about 48.1% before recent hurricanes to roughly 41.4% post-storms and noted that newly planted trees may not yet register in canopy imagery until they reach several years of growth. "We are planting trees. We've done about 1,300 new street trees since 2020," Painter said.

Why it matters: staff framed the work as an effort to slow canopy loss and increase long-term tree survival while recognizing legal and practical constraints. Painter described multiple potential changes including expanded protections for certain trees, higher mitigation requirements for removed trees, and clearer planting and soil…