PINELLAS COUNTY’S URBAN FOREST

In 2021, Pinellas County had 39% urban tree canopy cover and 18% possible planting area, not including any surface water bodies within the County. The County’s urban tree canopy percentages below are based on land area only since water bodies are not suitable for planting new trees without significant modification. Land cover percentages are calculated with the county’s total area, which includes water bodies. The County’s total land cover contained 37% tree canopy, 21% non-canopy vegetation; 1% soil/dry vegetation; 37% impervious surfaces, and 3% water. The 67,207 acres of tree canopy in Pinellas County provide a multitude of economic, environmental, and social benefits, valued at just over $82.7 million annually, as well as $430 million in carbon storage.

Of the 24 municipalities, in Pinellas County, the city of Oldsmar had the highest canopy coverage at 59% of its 5,624 land acres. However, unincorporated areas within the county contained the most canopy, overall, containing 28,724 acres or 43% of all canopy in the County. Unincorporated areas also contained the greatest potential for canopy expansion, offering 11,705 acres (19% PPA by area and 38% of the County’s total plantable space).

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