Raleigh sees an accelerated development of new apartment complexes, shops, and neighborhoods, yet it seems that the city might lack tree growth alongside this expansion.
It’s difficult to precisely determine the number of trees being cleared for development. The latest evaluation was provided in a
Wake County report
that assessed the variation in tree canopy coverage between 2010 and 2020.
Across the county, the tree cover decreased by 3.6%, which amounts to 11,122 acres. In Raleigh,
The reduction amounted to 2.2 percent.
, or 1,305 acres. However, in the more urbanized sections of central and southeast Raleigh, the decline exceeded 10 percent.
Given the surge in construction activity following the end of the pandemic, it’s probable that deforestation has persisted or even worsened. The removal of trees impacts more than just the urban landscape; it also affects stormwater management, air purity, animal habitats, and contributes to the expansion of “urban heat islands” as global warming drives temperature increases.
“The loss of our tree canopy is extremely significant, impacting both our brand and our overall well-being,” stated Sig Hutchinson, a past Wake County commissioner who has advocated for expanding parks and green spaces.
Now, the City of Raleigh is responding with a new initiative named
“Leaf Out.”
The emphasis is on safeguarding current trees, increasing tree coverage, decreasing urban hot spots, and motivating community members to grow and preserve trees on personal land.
‘Leaf Out’ serves as an encouraging yet constrained reaction to deforestation. Although the initiative focuses solely on planting trees on publicly owned lands, its educational initiatives might inspire more substantial contributions from individual homeowners toward safeguarding and expanding urban forests. Currently, the municipality is gathering public input regarding strategies for conserving the arboreal cover, with definitive suggestions set to be published in a comprehensive report slated for release in 2026.
In terms of arboreal resources, Raleigh boasts an impressive array. Even with significant losses, over half of the city remains shaded by its expansive canopy.
“The amount of tree cover here exceeds what you’d typically find in most cities our size, particularly the more established ones,” stated Zach Manor, who serves as Raleigh’s urban forester.
Hutchinson mentioned that tourists arriving at Raleigh-Durham International Airport for the first time frequently point out to him the plentiful amount of vibrant green landscapes.
He remarked, ‘They glance downward and exclaim, “Where’s the city? All we can see is a mass of trees below,”’ adding, ‘Each time I view it, I find myself thinking how fortunate I am to reside right here.’
Dave Klemp is committed to protecting the canopy. Klemp, a Raleigh arborist who has a degree in forest management from N.C. State University, founded a nonprofit called
Trees for the Triangle.
Its website declares its mission as: “Improving the environmental, aesthetic and economic well-being of the Triangle, one tree at a time.”
Trees for the Triangle encourages private property owners to plant native trees. Since launching in 2018, Trees for the Triangle has planted more than 2,200 trees, but Klemp said it’s a race against tree loss from development.
He mentioned, ‘We cannot grow plants quicker compared to how fast things are being eradicated in certain regions.’
Raleigh’s dedication to more compact growth means fewer spaces left for trees, he explained. “We’re constructing higher and denser buildings now. Preserving trees becomes challenging when construction reaches right up to the edge of properties. There isn’t much the city can do regarding this issue,” he added.
Klemp stated that the effort to protect the Triangle’s canopy is currently at an impasse. While development persists, they are working on the Leaf Out program. It’s crucial to make a significant effort to conserve as much of the area as possible.
To protect its green cover, Raleigh ought to establish ambitious targets, according to Klemp. He stated, “This would involve significant tree planting as well as extensive tree care.”
“It’s simple to be amazed by our tree canopy if you’re coming from areas without one. We take great pride in this,” he stated. “A fifty percent canopy cover is quite commendable. Maintaining this level would make us very content.”
The associate opinion editor, Ned Barnett, can be contacted at 919-404-7583 or via email at nbarnett@newsobserver.com.
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