Current Status
Ongoing
Activity In 2022
214,134* trees planted
Beyond 2022
456,958 tree plantings per year needed to reach the goal by 2030
Related Initiatives
- Greater Gulf-Houston Regional Native Tree Planting Policy & Guidelines Manual
- Houston Wilderness’ 14 Super Trees of the Houston Region
- Houston Wilderness’ Ecosystem Services of Regional Native Tree Species
- Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Resilient Houston Tree Portal
Related Targets
Where Are Trees Needed Most in Houston?
Houston’s neighborhoods have experienced a significant loss of tree cover over the last few decades. The city is focused on increasing tree planting in areas with the strongest urban heat island effects, air pollution issues, environmental injustice, inequitable tree canopy cover, and a high concentration of pedestrians and bicyclists who would benefit from shade. Nearly a half million trees were planted in 2021, an increase of over 60,000 trees from 2020, and well on track toward planting 4.6 million trees by 2030 (376,535 per year).
Annual Tree Planting, 2019-2030
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Current | Target | Needed 2023-2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 281,121 | 431,596 | 496,465 | 214,134 | 1,423,316 | 4,600,000 | 3,176,684 |
*Tree plantings reflect data provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Harris County Flood Control District, Trees for Houston, Houston Parks Board, Texas Forest Service, Clark Condon, and Houston Wilderness. TxDOT planting numbers include counties of the Houston district and is not limited to city limits. Work is currently underway by the city to provide a tree planting tracker tool.
- 2022 Data Source
- Houston Wilderness Tree Strategy Implementation Group