National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests

A first‑ever national canopy assessment

Until now, most places relied on city‑by‑city or project‑by‑project studies to understand their tree canopy, often using different datasets, years, and methods. That made regional comparisons, national benchmarks, and long‑term tracking difficult.

• This National Baseline Assessment changes the scale of what is possible. As a nationwide, high‑resolution urban tree canopy and land cover dataset, it delivers a comprehensive national canopy assessment that:
• Maps urban and community tree canopy using advanced land cover data and aerial imagery.
• Applies consistent methods and standards across the country so communities are working from the same baseline.
• Summarizes land cover, development patterns, and canopy metrics at decision‑ready geographies, including census block groups and places.
• Highlights where canopy is strong, where it is vulnerable, and where targeted investment in trees can deliver the greatest benefits.

If you are looking for credible, national canopy assessment data to anchor plans, funding proposals, or policy, this report is now the reference point.

Why this baseline matters for people and place

Urban trees are not just amenities—they are core infrastructure for climate resilience, health, equity, and quality of life. Tree canopy cools streets, reduces energy demand, improves air quality, manages stormwater, and supports mental and physical health, especially in neighborhoods facing higher environmental burdens.

The National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests helps communities turn those benefits into measurable goals by enabling them to:

• Quantify existing tree canopy, impervious surfaces, and plantable space.
• Identify canopy gaps that align with hot spots, flood‑prone areas, or communities that have historically had fewer trees.
• Track canopy change to see where trees are being lost or gained over time.
• Align local urban forest strategies with a national canopy assessment and data standard.
• Communicate the value of trees as infrastructure using clear visuals and metrics that resonate with decision‑makers and residents.

With this shared baseline, communities large and small can move from one‑off analyses to ongoing, data‑driven stewardship of their urban forests.

TreesAtWork.org: Access the national canopy assessment online

The power of this national canopy assessment really comes to life on TreesAtWork.org, a public site where users can explore and download urban tree canopy and land cover data.

Through TreesAtWork.org, you can:

• Discover tree canopy, land cover, and development patterns for communities across the U.S.
• Analyze canopy and land cover metrics at scales like census block groups and places.
• Download data in formats that plug into local GIS and planning workflows.
• Use maps and charts to support conversations about heat, health, equity, and investment in trees.

TreesAtWork.org was created through collaboration between the Arbor Day Foundation, the USDA Forest Service, and PlanIT Geo and will continue to expand with new data and resources tied to the National Baseline Assessment.

TreeCanopy.US: Turn data into planning and action

TreeCanopy.US is the interactive mapping and planning tool built on top of this national canopy assessment. It gives planners, urban foresters, and community partners a straightforward way to bring the National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests into everyday decisions.

• With TreeCanopy.US, users can:
• Visualize the national canopy assessment on an intuitive, web‑based map.
• Explore canopy, land cover, and development trends for specific communities or regions.
• Highlight priority planting areas based on heat, impervious surfaces, and social and environmental indicators.
• Export summary data and use it in urban forest management plans, climate action plans, grant applications, and community engagement.

Together, TreesAtWork.org and TreeCanopy.US extend the impact of the National Baseline Assessment by making national canopy assessment data usable for real‑world planning and collaboration.

A collaborative, national effort

This work reflects the strengths of multiple organizations working together toward a shared goal: a more resilient and equitable urban forest for every community.

The National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests brings together:

• USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, providing national leadership and vision.
• Arbor Day Foundation, connecting resources and partners to invest in trees where they are needed most.
• PlanIT Geo, applying deep experience in urban tree canopy assessments and geospatial tools.
• EarthDefine, delivering high‑resolution land cover data that underpins the national canopy assessment.

Because of this collaboration, communities everywhere now have an accessible, science‑based national canopy assessment to inform local action.

Get the report and start exploring

The full National Baseline Assessment of Urban and Community Forests report provides the context, methods, and findings behind the data, along with examples of how communities can put this national canopy assessment to work.

Use the report, TreesAtWork.org, and TreeCanopy.US together to:

• Ground your urban forest strategy in the best available national canopy assessment data.
• Set canopy goals that reflect local needs and national context.
• Prioritize investments in trees that address heat, health, equity, and resilience.
• Engage partners and residents with clear, visual stories about the role of trees in your community.

Access Resources Below: