Benefits of urban trees justify projected price tag for city’s tree inventory plan

Funding to conduct an inventory of Austin’s public trees did not make it into this year’s budget as a City Council-approved resolution called for, but city officials say cost recommendations should be ready for the next budget cycle.

An Oct. 11 memo from Development Services Director José G. Roig and Parks and Recreation interim Director Angela Means provided an early cost estimate: $10 million. They said the estimate is based on an initial rate of about $2.5 million for an inventory of trees in city parks. They noted that multiple city departments would be involved in the assessment.

The April 2024 resolution, sponsored by Council Member Ryan Alter, also directed staff to establish a tree planting and maintenance plan and correlating budget requirements to minimize the risks associated with trees that aren’t properly maintained.

Alter said at the time that the city’s use of artificial intelligence and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) would enable the city to conduct an inventory “quickly, reliably and cheaply.”

Austin’s Climate Equity Plan has set a goal of 50 percent citywide tree canopy coverage by 2050. According to city data, Austin’s current tree canopy coverage is 41 percent. The city’s tree-planting priority map shows areas of East Austin as having the greatest need for shade.

Numerous local and national studies have shown that tree canopy and other vegetation are effective in reducing heat island effects. Besides shade, urban street trees provide a multitude of other ecosystem services including habitat and food for wildlife, sequestering carbon, reducing pollutants in the air and mitigating runoff. A growing body of evidence shows that exposure to trees also benefits city dwellers’ physical and mental health.

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