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March 1, 2024
Contact:
Kerry Francis, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, 740-504-5892 (cell)
City of Columbus and Franklin County Unveil First-Ever Comprehensive Tree Canopy Analysis
COLUMBUS – The City of Columbus and Franklin County have jointly unveiled the groundbreaking 2011-2021 Tree Canopy Assessment, marking the first comprehensive examination of central Ohio’s trees and the evolving tree canopy over the past decade. The tree canopy, representing the percentage of land covered by trees, is an important metric for gauging changes in the region’s urban forest. The Tree Canopy Assessment examines the change in tree canopy from 2011 to 2021, which was the most recent data available at the time of the study.
Trees are integral to quality of life. They absorb stormwater, filter and cool the air, and produce shade. The critical health benefits of trees include cleaner air, cooler temperatures, better mental health and more walkable communities.
Yet data indicates the region’s tree cover is lower than average. For example, tree cover in the City of Columbus is 22 percent overall, compared to 40 percent in similar cities; this disparity is even greater in low-income neighborhoods.
Urban forests are regional assets, and the benefits they provide are not limited to jurisdictional boundaries. Recognizing this, the City of Columbus and Franklin County partnered to create a comprehensive analysis of the region’s tree canopy. Data was gathered that was as inclusive as possible to study the entirety of Franklin County, comprised of 16 cities, including Columbus, nine villages and 17 townships for the Tree Canopy Assessment.
“Growing and sustaining our urban forest has been a priority for the department and the City, and we were excited to join forces with our regional partners to collaborate and share this kind of information for the local community to learn from,” said Bernita A. Reese, M.S., CPRP, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
Future-Forward Approach
The full Tree Canopy Assessment underscores the importance of public lands in preserving and growing our canopy and the power of cross-jurisdictional collaboration. In both Columbus and Franklin County, parks and residential land have the most acres of tree canopy. It includes recommendations for local leaders and residents in their ownership of the tree canopy. It also includes a deeper analysis of tree canopy and other socio-economic and health-based factors.
Key findings for the City of Columbus from the report include a 2.4 percent increase in tree canopy from 2011 to 2021, with 37 percent of non-forested land offering potential for tree planting. Columbus’ current tree canopy is 22 percent. The city is home to an estimated 4.8 million trees, translating to five trees per resident, yet distribution is uneven across communities.
For Franklin County as a whole, tree canopy increased by 2.8 percent, covering 24 percent of the land in 2021. Almost half of the county's land (48 percent) could be considered for possible tree plantings. The county boasts approximately 13.6 million trees, averaging 10 trees per resident, with varying canopy percentages across cities, townships and villages.
As the region anticipates substantial growth in the coming decades, this collaborative initiative aims to guide strategic planning. Insights derived from the data can inform endeavors such as enhanced transportation safety, improved stormwater drainage and targeted tree plantings in areas where they can make the most significant impact. The data can provide a retrospective analysis of how policies and initiatives have impacted tree growth to minimize impacts on tree cover in the future.
The team anticipates an ongoing partnership between Columbus and Franklin County agencies, including Franklin County Public Health, Franklin County Engineer’s Office, Franklin County Auditor’s Office and Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District.
More information about the project and the full report is available online.
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