DC's Urban Forestry Division and DOEE share a 40% citywide tree canopy goal under the Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act, prioritizing planting in heat-vulnerable Wards 5, 7, and 8 documented at less than 25% canopy.
The Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016 (DC Law 21-115) and Sustainable DC 2.0 set a 40% tree canopy goal by 2032. DDOT's Urban Forestry Division manages over 170,000 street trees; private trees are governed by the Urban Forest Preservation Act (DC Code 8-651). Casey Trees and DOEE's RiverSmart Trees program offer free residential tree plantings, prioritizing low-canopy census tracts in Anacostia, Deanwood, and Trinidad. The 2024 Urban Forest Equity Plan commits to closing the canopy gap between Ward 3 (45%) and Ward 8 (~25%) by directing 60% of new plantings east of the river.
Removing or damaging street trees without DDOT permit triggers replacement costs at appraised value plus $300 per inch of trunk diameter and possible criminal misdemeanor charges.
See how Washington's urban forest equity rules stack up against other locations.
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