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- With 33% canopy, the city of Ann Arbor has average or above-average tree canopy cover compared with other small and medium-sized communities in the United States. However, Ann Arbor's urban tree canopy is below the 40% canopy cover recommended by American Forests.
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Source: City of Ann Arbor Urban Forestry Updated May 2010 |
What is Urban Tree Canopy (UTC)?
The canopy cover is the proportion of area that, when viewed from above, is occupied by tree crowns. It is a good indicator of the overall extent and health of the urban forest, and it may offer a more complete picture of the urban forest because it includes both public and private trees. Canopy cover be be estimated using satellite images, aerial photographs, and ground sampling.This is a new indicator based on very recent and very accurate remote sensing data. While the tree inventory only looked at publicly managed trees, the canopy cover analysis measures the canopy of the entire city – the cumulative cover of all public- and privately-owned trees. The analysis is based on 2009 “leaf-on” aerial imagery.
How does the urban tree canopy impact the state of our environment?
With 33% canopy, the city of Ann Arbor has average or above-average tree canopy cover compared with other small and medium-sized communities in the United States (see Existing UTC Chart below). With this percent canopy cover, Ann Arbor should focus on maintaining and preserving tree canopy to sustain functional benefits while also targeting areas for improvement. We rated the indicator as stable (flat arrow) because the canopy cover of newly planted trees does not (yet) replace the canopy cover we lose when a large mature shade tree dies.
The City of Ann Arbor, recognized as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation since 1981, takes great pride in its urban forest and values the ecosystem services it provides. In urban areas like Ann Arbor, the tree canopy performs an important stormwater management function by intercepting rainfall that would otherwise run off of paved surfaces and transport pollutants to loca streams and the Huron River. The urban tree canopy also shades open spaces and buildings, lowers summer air temperatures, reduces homeowner heating/cooling costs, reduces air pollution, and provides wildlife habitat. Further, a healthy urban forest increases property values and provides aesthetic and community benefits such as improved quality of life.
More information
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Find out how YOU can help improve the State of Our Environment.
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Last Updated: August 2009