Utilizing cutting edge software, Urban Forestry staff assessed the amount of tree cover in Edmond by various land uses earlier this year, putting together a report that was just released in recent weeks. Measuring the amount of canopy coverage that our trees provide is important to managing and conserving our urban forest. Over the years, past and future development of our city impacts our local cross timbers ecosystem and changes the urban forest. It is important to assess the state of tree canopy cover, looking into the future to predict how urban tree canopy will be further impacted by current practices in development and growth. To read the full report, view the Urban Forest Studies page.

Urban tree canopy is a measure which, when viewed from above, refers to the amount of tree leaves, limbs and stems that shelter the ground, buildings, streets, etc. It is expressed as a percentage of the area that is covered by tree crowns.

A large percentage of urban tree canopy is sought by communities, because larger, mature trees provide greater amounts of tree benefits such as higher property values, energy savings, air purification, cooler temperatures, and community beautification. Part of the job of the Urban Forestry Department is ensuring that the urban forest remains healthy, that it is retained and continues to grow, and that future generations in Edmond have trees in their community to enjoy and benefit from.

This urban tree canopy study looked at the amount of tree canopy cover throughout various land uses. The land uses identified were Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Transportation, Open Space and Undeveloped. While identifying tree canopy, we also figured percentages for other types of vegetation, water, bare ground and impervious surfaces. See the chart below for cover values generated from the study in each land use.