Parks Dept. announces highest tree planting total in 6 years

On Tuesday, NYC Parks announced that it has surpassed tree planting totals from the prior fiscal year, solidifying this administration’s ongoing commitment to protect and expand the city’s urban forest. As of June 3, Parks has planted 13,154 trees across the city, and expects to plant a total of 14,900 by June 30.

This is the highest tree planting total in the past six fiscal years and marks two consecutive fiscal years of tree planting growth across the five boroughs. In addition, Parks has expanded its commitment to M/WBE contractors for tree planting, and continues to focus its plantings in vulnerable areas, as guided by the Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI).

“Our trees are the lungs of our city, helping to clean our air, beautify our streets and parks, provide shade, and absorb stormwater, and I’m so proud of NYC Parks’ work to expand these vital resources with another milestone year,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our trees remain some of the best natural infrastructure we have, and our administration will continue to be champions for the ongoing expansion and protection of our city’s urban forest.”

“Since day one of my tenure as Parks Commissioner, I have made it our mission to continue our work of protecting and expanding the city’s urban forest, and today we are celebrating yet another milestone in our tree planting efforts,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue.

“Thanks to the ongoing support from the Adams Administration, our tree planting program, which strategically targets heat vulnerable neighborhoods, is the most robust it has been in six years, and we will continue to focus our efforts on greening the city and planting trees where they’re needed most.”

“This is a great step forward for expanding the urban tree…