Connecting Data and Community for a
Healthy Urban Forest

 

10/7/24:  THIS PROJECT IS PAUSED FOR HELENE RECOVERY EFFORTS

This project will take place in three phases as described below.  However, due to Tropical Storm Helene, the timing of each phase is likely to change.  We will post updates to this site once we know more. 

Phase 1: LAUNCH - July to September 2024

This is the logistics phase of getting the project started, creating teams and committees, building web content to share and more.

Phase 2: DISCOVERY - September 2024 to May 2025

The second and most significant phase is called Discovery, and is all about gaining a full understanding about the existing urban forest by looking at data and systems in place, as well as gleaning from the community Asheville's priorities, challenges, and opportunities.

  • Data Collection: There are two main data collection efforts in this project, both of which will be collected in fall 2024.

    • Public Tree Inventory: A tree inventory collects information about individual trees and will help us understand the diversity and health condition of Asheville’s public trees. You may see professional arborists walking in your neighborhood as they collect this data. A healthy urban forest that is resilient to weather events, pests, and diseases should include a wide diversity of tree types and ages, so this information will help us understand the improvements that are needed moving forward.

    • Urban Tree Canopy Analysis (UTC): A UTC uses satellite imagery to measure the density and distribution of tree canopy as seen from above. It tells us how much land in Asheville is shaded by trees. Asheville has completed a UTC study in the past and found that, from 2008-2018, 891 acres of trees were lost. An updated UTC will give us further information on tree loss or gain, and help us develop a plan to reverse losses and ensure that tree canopy is distributed equally throughout the city so that all Asheville residents experience the benefits of trees in their neighborhoods.​

  • Community Engagement. Understanding the make up of our urban forest is essential to plan a path forward, but we also need to understand the community. We need to understand the priorities, challenges and opportunities that exist in Asheville and for that, we need to hear from you! A robust engagement process is planned to begin in December and continue into spring of 2025.

Phase 3: DEVELOPMENT - May to August 2025

Once all Discovery work is complete, the final phase will pull all the learnings together from the Discovery work, helping to develop plan goals, and then the full plan document.

More details will come on all of this work. Please stay tuned and plan on participating! Use the sign up box at the top of this page to subscribe to project updates.

planned
planned
Public Tree Inventory

Tree experts will walk through selected areas counting trees in the public right-of-way (8-10 feet beside public roadways). This work started the first week of September 2024, and was underway until Tropical Storm Helene.  As of 10/7/24, this work has been paused until further notice. 

complete
complete
Invasive Species Assessment

In order to better understand the type and level of invasive species pressures on Asheville's urban forest, qualified contractors assessed multiple locations throughout Asheville during the month of September 2024.  Report will be posted soon.

planned
planned
Urban Tree Canopy Analysis

A comprehensive assessment and map of Asheville's tree canopy underway. and was projected to be complete by the end of October 2024.  However, as of 10/7/24, this work has been paused until further notice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

An urban forest refers to all the trees in a city's boundary, whether they are in a city owned park, a privately owned home, or anywhere else. The amount of land shaded by trees is referred to as the tree canopy. In Asheville, tree canopy was measured at 44.5% in 2019. This project includes a study that will measure current canopy coverage.

An Urban Forest Master Plan is a strategic plan to improve a community's urban forest. The plan is created by assessing the current health and distribution of Asheville's trees and by engaging with residents, stakeholders, and the community at large to determine needs, set goals, and provide recommendations for the steps needed to achieve those goals.

In 2019, the City of Asheville completed a study of its tree canopy and discovered that the tree canopy that shades the community has decreased by 6.4% in the last decade. Canopy is currently measured at 44.5%. This report was a call to action for Asheville residents who were concerned about continued losses. On June 11, 2024, City Council approved a contract with Urban Canopy Works, LLC, to develop an Urban Forest Master Plan to help the city expand and improve its urban forest.

Contact:

Keith Aitken, Urban Forester
City of Asheville I Planning and Urban Design
kaitken@ashevillenc.gov 
828-259-5674