Peekskill hears tree-inventory update; consultant reports 2,373 public trees recorded

Sarah Lilly, an urban-forestry consultant with Eocene Environmental Group, told the Peekskill Committee of the Whole that the tree-inventory and management-plan project is “a 100% grant funded project” through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s urban and community forestry program.

Lilly said crews inventoried 2,373 publicly managed trees, 92 stumps and 368 targeted planting sites concentrated in downtown blocks with the lowest canopy coverage. "We did find 49 dead trees," she said, and overall the population was rated mostly in "fair to good" condition. The inventory excluded unmanaged woodland areas and privately managed trees per the grant guidelines.

Council members asked about the distribution of trees in critical and poor condition and requested that staff map the precise locations of dead and critical trees and include species recommendations in the management plan. Lilly said the final plan will include inventory maps in GIS format, benchmarking through i-Tree ECO, community-engagement findings and management recommendations; she told the council she expects to return with a finalized plan in early 2026.

Council members pressed for recommendations on planting-site improvements downtown — including structural soil or soil cells to expand tree rooting space — and for a strategy to diversify species because maples make up a large share of the canopy. Lilly said proposed planting lists will balance native and site-appropriate species so trees will survive in harsh urban conditions.