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Urban forester outlines Raleigh’s plan to boost canopy, proposes 24,000-tree ‘Leaf Out’ push
Summary
In a City of Raleigh podcast interview, urban forester Zach Manor said the city will pursue planting and preservation strategies — including a proposed "Leaf Out" campaign to add 24,000 trees by 2032 — while noting limits on what the city can require on private property.
Raleigh — In a City of Raleigh podcast episode of "Your City Answered," Katie Dembrosky interviewed Zach Manor, who was introduced as an urban forester, about how the city intends to protect and expand its tree canopy amid continued growth. Manor said the city plans a mix of public-lands plantings, development review participation, and community outreach, and described a proposed "Leaf Out" initiative aiming to plant 24,000 trees by 2032.
Manor said the city faces limits in what it can require on private property and that private development is regulated through the Unified Development Ordinance. "The city of Raleigh has some limits on what it can require or ask for on private property," Manor said, adding that urban forestry participates in the development review process to advise what to keep, what can be removed, and what must be planted as part of development.
Canopy baseline and approach
Manor defined canopy as the visible crowns of trees and stressed its ecological benefits, including shade and carbon sequestration. He cited the city’s canopy study for 2020 and said, "Raleigh was at right around 50% canopy." He said the city concentrates planting where it controls land — parks, greenways and rights-of-way — and seeks opportunities to offset tree loss from development by adding trees in public places and supporting neighborhood plantings.
Right tree, right place and diversity
Manor emphasized selecting suitable species and planting locations to avoid long-term conflicts with sidewalks and sightlines. "We're trying our best not to repeat that, get the right tree in the right place," he said, noting that resilience requires a mix of species and ages rather than only large canopy trees.
Wood reuse and yard-waste operations
On what happens to trees removed as dead, diseased or hazardous, Manor said uses vary: some wood has been repurposed into carved features in parks, some becomes mulch or firewood, and the city’s yard-waste operations chip material for use on city properties and for residents.
Leaf Out initiative and public engagement
Manor described the Leaf Out effort as a multi-pronged initiative with seven focus areas, including prioritizing native species, creating plant lists to guide developers and homeowners, and adopting best practices on city projects. He said the proposal to plant 24,000 trees by 2032 is being advanced by the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board and concerned citizens and will be presented to the City Council; additional details and a city webpage with resources are forthcoming.
What residents can do
Manor urged residents to engage in the city’s comprehensive planning process (Reflecting Raleigh), participate on boards and commissions, volunteer for plantings and contact city staff or elected officials to share concerns or support for tree-related policies.
What’s next
Manor said staff will present more information to the City Council and update the city website with guidance and ways for residents to get involved. The episode closed with a reminder to listeners to submit questions through the city website.
