Tree City: Planning an Urban Forest for NYC

In spring 2026, New York City will release its first-ever Urban Forest Plan, providing a roadmap for equitably expanding tree canopy to 30 percent of the city. The city's urban forest - already more than seven million trees on streets, in parks and open spaces, and located on public and private property - is a critical part of its infrastructure.

The urban forest is a natural infrastructure that crosses jurisdictions between city, other publicly owned, and privately owned lands, so its planning is a case study in working cross-sectionally and developing engagement and analysis appropriate to multiple audiences and implementation partners. Trees cool neighborhoods, help manage stormwater, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance quality of life. At the same time, expansions to canopy can conflict with other city priorities such as increased housing.

The Urban Forest Plan involved data- and community-driven approaches to understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with expanding the urban forest in the nation's densest city. This presentation offer lessons learned from this landmark process that can be applied to other cities and urban forests.
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