In 2010, the City of Ann Arbor in partnership with AMEC and with financial assistance from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment and USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Urban & Community Forestry programs conducted an urban tree canopy analysis.
What Is An Urban Tree Canopy Analysis (UTC)?
Urban tree canopy is the layer of leaves, branches, and stems of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above. AMEC conducted the City's UTC analysis by measuring this layer using leaf-on multi-spectral aerial imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP).
Snapshot of The UTC Analysis
City-wide Urban Tree Canopy: 32.9%*
*American Forests recommends that city's in temperate climates achieve a 40% city-wide canopy cover.
Sample Image from UTC Analysis
Trees and vegetation are the red areas of the map
How will the city use the uTC analysis?
The UTC Analysis compliments the city's comprehensive street and park tree inventory and provides another tool to help manage the urban forest resource. The City will use this analysis in the creation of its yearly Tree Planting Plan. Utilizing the data from the analysis, the City can identify the areas of the city with the lowest canopy cover and target those areas for tree planting. The City is also in the process of developing the City's first urban forest management plan, and the analysis will help to develop tree canopy goals for the City.
UTC Analysis Report, Presentation and Map
Updated July 09, 2012