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City presents urban-forest inventory; study finds 22,713 plantable sites to raise canopy
Summary
City staff presented an urban-forest inventory and canopy study showing between 3,264 and 3,347 public trees, an average tree condition of about 74%, and 22,713 potentially plantable locations that could increase canopy cover from 7.3% to 12.1%.
City staff presented a multi‑part urban forestry analysis that combined a public‑tree inventory with a canopy assessment. Slides list public‑tree totals (one slide lists 3,347 trees on streets and at city parks and facilities; a later planning recap slide lists 3,264 trees and 473 places to plant), 118 species, and an average tree condition score around 74% (staff noted a target of 75%).
The canopy study uses historical aerial and satellite imagery (1965, 1985, 2006, 2016, 2021) to benchmark coverage over time and across land‑use types. Staff identified 22,713 potentially plantable sites; planting those sites is estimated to increase citywide canopy cover from the present 7.3% to roughly 12.1%. The slides note that at the current planting rate of about 100 trees per year, achieving that increase would require roughly 227 years.
Staff outlined next steps including finalizing a Tree Management Plan, updating tree and landscape ordinance sections, formation of an external Tree Committee and an internal Landscape Committee, employee training, and identifying FY27 budget options to fund planting and maintenance. The presentation lists completed items (inventory, canopy assessment, analysis) and in‑process work (ordinance updates and committee formation) with a timeline indicating refinement and adoption work through February–May 2026.
