Urban Forestry

Overview

Urban forestry is defined as the management of forest ecosystems in and around cities. These ecosystems may be varied and complex. They are on both public and private property, including parks, community forests, watersheds, and other critical areas. Trees in public rights-of-way, known as street trees, are also part of urban forests.

Community members receive a wide range of significant benefits from trees and urban forests, but if not carefully selected and maintained, trees can cause damage to structures, sidewalks, and other infrastructure. To manage urban forests, local government programs should be coordinated among public and private utilities, parks and recreation departments, public works departments, planning departments, and other public and non-profit organizations.

This page will provide information about urban forestry regulations, programs, and resources for Washington local governments.

Community Benefits of Urban Forests

Urban forests mitigate climate change and provide benefits to both humans and wildlife. The nonprofit Smart Surfaces Coalition notes that forests help cities adapt to climate change, while the National Park Service found that urban forests reduce pollution levels by reducing air temperatures, reducing energy consumption from air conditioning, and removing pollutants from the air.

To promote urban forestry development, local governments include timing tree pruning to limit disruption of migrating or nesting birds, and leaving dead trees in place to enhance wildlife habitat in urban areas. Local governments such as Bellingham and King County promote planting of native vegetation.

See MRSC’s Climate and Sustainability pages and the American Planning Association’s Planning for Urban Heat Resilience report for more information.

Boosting Equity

The U.S. Forest Service notes that urban forests have been shown to both reduce perceptions of crime in neighborhoods, as well as diminishing actual criminal activity. Residents in these neighborhoods also reported spending more time outside socializing and reduced symptoms of depression.

However, neighborhoods with high rates of vulnerable populations (defined in RCW 36.70A.030(47)) are often most affected by problems associated with the lack of greenspace access, says the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It is important to ensure that these populations are prioritized for investments in urban tree canopy. An example of this is the partnership between the city of Spokane and the nonprofit Lands Council to offer SpoCanopy, which plants free street trees in low-income city neighborhoods with low canopy coverage and disproportionate environmental disparities. 

See the Tree Equity Score Map and Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative for more information about inclusive urban forestry. 

Statutes

Chapter 76.15 RCW establishes an urban and community forestry program administered by the Washington DNR. The program provides technical, educational and financial assistance to Washington's cities and towns, counties, tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions in developing urban forests for public benefits and quality of life.

The following statutes also encourage local governments and utility companies to plant and maintain trees:

• RCW 35.92.355 – Tree planting for energy conservation.
• RCW 35.92.390 – Municipal utilities may request donations for urban forestry.
• RCW 35A.80.040 – Code cities may request donations for urban forestry.
• RCW 54.16.400 – Public utility districts may request donations for urban forestry.
• RCW 80.28.300 – Gas and electrical companies may request donations for urban forestry.

Trees and the Growth Management Act 

Cities and counties required to adopt comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA), chapter 36.70A RCW, must include a climate change and resiliency element (RCW 36.70A.070(9)). Urban forests are an important consideration in meeting the requirements for this element. (See the Washington Department of Commerce’s Climate Planning Guidance for more information).

Additionally, a GMA-mandated comprehensive plan’s park and recreation element must include an evaluation of tree canopy coverage (RCW 36.70A.070(8)).

Examples of Tree Canopy Goals

• Kirkland Trees and Urban Forestry – City is seeking a 40% tree canopy cover.
• Redmond Tree Canopy Strategic Plan (2019) – City is seeking to preserve and develop a 40% tree canopy cover over the next 40 years.
• Seattle Canopy Cover – City aims to reach 30% canopy cover by 2037.
• Vancouver Tree Canopy by Neighborhood (2021) – Tree canopy goal is 28%.

Urban Forestry Plans and Programs

Many local governments fund urban forestry programs to plan, manage, and maintain urban forests on lands they own. They also provide education to private property owners on how to maintain their trees and urban forests. Additionally, some jurisdictions have created commissions or board of citizens to advise and educate elected officials, staff, and property owners on these topics. 

Below are selected examples of urban forestry plans and programs from Washington cities that seek to maintain or increase their existing tree canopy coverage and educate residents about the importance of trees.

• Covington Tree Inventory & Maintenance Plan (2025) – Provides guidance for tree canopy development and management on city owned property.
• Ellensburg Urban Forest Management Project (2025) – An ongoing city project to develop a tree inventory, a tree ordinance, educational materials, an urban forestry management plan, and street tree standards.
• Kirkland
  • Trees and Urban Forestry – Resource page with topics such as tree removal, pruning, trees and development, tree canopy, urban forestry management plan, and arborist reports.
  • Urban Forest Work Plan 2021-2023 Report Card (2024) – Progress report on city’s urban forestry program.
• Longview Urban Forestry Program – Includes links to the urban forest management plan and a tree benefits calculator.
• Olympia Urban Forestry – Requires minimum number of "tree units" per acre; includes many resource links.
• Port Angeles City Shade Street Tree Planting Program – Partnership between community members and the City to increase number of trees in public right-of-way; residents apply for program to request a free permit and tree.
• Seattle
  • Trees for Seattle – Umbrella webpage for the city's urban forestry programs; includes regulations, tree removal, tree canopy, and tree topping.
  • Urban Forestry in Seattle – GIS map program showing Seattle’s tree inventory, equity areas, and tree planting prioritization areas.
  • Urban Forest Management Plan (2020)
• Spokane Urban Forestry – Offers information on tree permits, tree benefits, planting and care, and options to donate to the urban forestry program.
• Vancouver Urban Forestry – Includes links to an urban forestry management plan, canopy reports, workplans, urban forestry commission, and annual reports. Establishes two permit programs: one for street trees and one for private trees. 
• Walla Walla Trees and Urban Forestry Plan (2021) – Includes plan document as well as interactive inventory map, permitting information, and a tree request service.
• Yakima Urban Forest Management Plan (2024) – Focuses on enhancing logistical planning for forest management by improving online information access, interdepartmental communication, and educational outreach to the public.

Tree Protection Regulations 

Some local governments have adopted ordinances restricting or regulating the removal of trees, especially large or significant trees, to maintain the tree canopy and the community benefits described above. These regulations apply to both public and private property and often place special emphasis on trees that have historical or cultural significance. Such regulations must be balanced with consideration of other community goals and private property rights.

Here are a few examples:

• Bellingham
  • Landmark Tree Protection – Prevents trees of a certain size from being cut down.
  • Ordinance No. 2025-03-004 – Preservation of landmark trees. 
• Mountlake Terrace Trees for Terrace – Information about the city’s tree code, which includes definitions, heritage tree program, tree replacement requirements, and enforcement.
• Richland Municipal Code Ch. 22. 14 – Includes provisions for the establishment of a municipal arborist position, penalties for vandalism, and responsibilities of property owners.
• Seattle Trees & Codes – Includes tree code, tree provider registry, information for private tree owners, and public notice requirements.
• Tumwater Municipal Code Ch. 16.08
• Vancouver Heritage Trees

Street Trees and Sidewalk Damage 

Street trees are trees planted along streets and roads, typically within the public right-of-way. They are required or encouraged by many cities, towns and counties because they can provide traffic calming effects and other benefits of trees as described above.

Street tree roots can cause damage to sidewalks and other infrastructure if appropriate tree species and soil are not selected, or if sufficient area is not provided for root growth. Damaged sidewalks, curbs, and streets can create unsafe conditions, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. Some cities and towns have ordinances that impose sidewalk repair costs on abutting property owners. However, these ordinances do not relieve the jurisdiction from responsibility.

See MRSC’s Sidewalk Construction, Maintenance, and Repair for more information about sidewalk repair.

Below are some examples of local government street tree programs that include guidance for avoiding sidewalk damage:

• Arlington Street Tree Standards (2013) – Used to regulate trees in public rights-of-way, parks, and other public lands.
• Camas Street Tree Succession Plan (2023) – Includes an inventory of existing trees and their condition, as well as recommendations to replace them over time.
• Grandview Municipal Code Ch. 12.14  – Street Trees
• Kirkland Street Tree List – Detailed standards for contractors, developers and property owners to plant and maintain street trees.
• Pierce County Code Sec. 18J.15.050 – Street Trees
• Port Townsend Urban Forestry - Trees in the ROW – Helpful summary for property owners with guidance on the benefits of street trees, choosing the right tree for the right place, and tree removal when necessary.
• Seattle Department of Transportation Street Tree Manual (2014) – Includes information about tree planting, maintenance of trees and other vegetation, and tree protection and preservation.
• Spokane Urban Forestry: Planting and Care – Includes helpful tips for choosing, planting, watering, and pruning trees.
• Vancouver Tree Requirements for Development Projects
• Walla Walla Street Trees – Summary of street tree planting program; includes links to urban forestry management plan, city tree code, and permit information.

Tree Trimming and Replacement for Utilities 

Tree branches and roots can damage utility lines, causing electrical power outages and other interruptions of utility services. To reduce the likelihood of this occurring, many local utility providers have programs to regularly prune trees near overhead lines and educate property owners on best practices in planting and pruning trees.

Below are a few examples of these programs:

• Chewelah Tree Trimming Information – Describes the steps the city electric department takes to trim trees around power lines.
• Cowlitz County Public Utilities District No. 1 Vegetation Management – Summarizes regulations for tree removal and planting near utility infrastructure.
• Richland Tree Maintenance and Information – Provides information and links about how the city energy services department balances urban forest development with service objectives.
• Snohomish County PUD Tree Trimming Near Power Lines – Explains how the county utility trims trees to mitigate risk of power outage and infrastructure damage.

Recommended Resources 

• American Forests:
  • Tree Equity - American Forests
  • Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative – A three-year program working to increase equity scores across the state.
• Arbor Day Foundation:
  • Resolving Tree/Sidewalk Conflicts – Tree City USA Bulletin with detailed information on avoiding sidewalk damage from tree roots and correcting them when they occur.
  • Tree City USA
  • Tree City USA Communities in Washington
• Casey Trees: Trees for Traffic Calming – A Washington D.C. urban forestry development nonprofit describes how trees improve driver behavior and other factors. 
• iTree – Provides tools to assess benefits of individual trees and tree canopy. Public/private partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, Arbor Day Foundation, and other organizations. 
• King County Guide to Developing Effective Urban Tree Requlations on Private Property (2024) – Includes model tree regulations based on research of existing regulations in King County jurisdictions.
• Puget Sound Conservation Districts Caucuses: Trees for Resilience Toolkit – Numerous resources regarding urban forestry, especially as it relates to stormwater management, smart growth, climate resiliency, and tree equity.  Includes examples from jurisdictions in the Puget Sound region.
• Tree Equity Score Analyzer – Map of tree canopy and associate equity score for each jurisdiction and census block in Washington and across the United States.
• U.S. Department of Natural Resources: Urban and Community Forestry – Links to programs, grants, educational opportunities, and legislation around urban forestry.
• U.S. Forest Service: Urban Forests – Links to US Forest Service Urban Forestry Programs and Grants.
• University of Washington College of Forestry: Green Cities, Good Health – Describes benefits of street trees for traffic calming and safety.
• Washington Trails Association: Urban Forestry and Why It Matters – Summarizes benefits of urban forestry in Washington jurisdictions, and includes links to other helpful resources.