Just in time for Arbor Day, the City of San Diego is conducting a study and inventory of street trees as part of a strategy to grow the urban forest, a key element of the City’s Climate Action Plan. The completed tree inventory will help City teams better understand the size and species of trees across San Diego neighborhoods and develop mapping and valuation tools for future research.

A healthy, growing urban forest provides many long-term environmental, social and economic benefits and is a component of the City’s climate action goals. The addition of trees contributes to more livable communities, provides positive mental health impacts and cools the air.

Trees help offset the “heat island” effect in neighborhoods with a high concentration of buildings, roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure coupled with minimal trees and natural landscapes. Urban neighborhoods with mature trees can be up to 11 degrees cooler in the summer than neighborhoods without trees. Residents can request a free street tree through the Free Tree SD program.

Arbor Day is celebrated nationwide. In San Diego, the City is holding an Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 22, in Mission Bay. The event is free to attend and San Diegans can register online to participate.