Metro Nashville is responsible for conducting an Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) assessment every five years. A city’s urban tree canopy provides many benefits including reduced stormwater runoff, improved air quality, wildlife habitat, cooler summer temperatures, and increased property values. The purpose of a UTC assessment is to provide data which can inform arborists, citizens, non-profit groups, and policymakers about the state of an urban tree canopy.
The report details how existing tree canopy was mapped, as well as possible planting area (PPA). It also analyzes distribution and trending changes in canopy across geographic boundaries between years 2010, 2016, and 2021. Aerial imagery from 2021 was the most recently available imagery for this study.
Report Highlights with page numbers to find more information:
- Between 2016 and 2021, Metro Nashville’s tree canopy declined by 674 acres (Page 9)
- Three canopy within Davidson County increased by 1.6% in 11 years. (Page 10)
- The Urban Services District should utilize over 32,000 acres of possible plantable space to offset the expansive amount of impervious surfaces, which amounts to 32% (40,814 acres) of the district’s land area. (Page 11)
- The T4 Urban transect experienced concentrated developments and was the only transect that had a net loss of canopy throughout the 11-year study period (-869 acres or a 3.3% loss.) (Page 12)
- The Kerrigan and Driftwood combined sewer systems had the highest percentage of impervious surfaces of all the watersheds and should utilize their 790 acres of Possible Planting Area (PPA) to reduce combined sewer overflows. (Page 19)
- Nine of the fourteen community planning areas do not meet their canopy goals (page 25)
2023 Metro Nashville Urban Tree Canopy Assessment
The Value of Street Trees
Street trees play a vital role in stormwater management in Nashville. Their canopies intercept rainfall, reducing runoff and flooding. By promoting infiltration and reducing erosion, tree roots help improve water quality. Roots uptake water from soil and release it into the atmosphere, further assisting in stormwater mitigation.
But the benefits of street trees don’t stop there. The presence of street trees improves community health, both mental and physical, and contributes to cooler temperatures, making neighborhoods more resilient to climate change. Investing in street trees not only fortifies stormwater infrastructure – it is also an investment in Nashville’s future.
For every $1 invested in our street trees, we realize a benefit of $3. Our trees provide $9.85 million in benefits for us each year. Learn more about the benefits of street trees in this infographic.