Richmond has lost 300 football fields of trees in a decade
Richmond has lost the equivalent of 300 football fields of tree canopy in just over a decade, per a new city assessment . Why it matters: Trees cool neighborhoods, reduce flooding and improve air quality — but the city's green cover is shrinking, and it's far from evenly distributed. State of play: The city is in the process of creating a new urban forest plan, backed by a $6 million federal grant. The plan will help protect existing trees, expand tree coverage and guide future plantings. Richmond's goal is 60% tree canopy coverage by 2037, with at least 30% tree coverage in every neighborhood, per the city's master growth plan, Richmond 300 . Yes, but: Despite an estimated 530,000 trees covering nearly 14,000 acres, the assessment found Richmond is far from its goal. The city's tree canopy declined from 37.4% in 2014 to 36.4% in 2025, a net loss of 387 acres. Zoom in: Tree coverage varies dramatically across Richmond's nine council districts. 🌳 The greenest: District 4 — aka South Richmond, including Forest Hill and Stratford Hills — at 56.4% canopy coverage. 🌃 The least green: District 2 — that's Scott's Addition, the Fan and Jackson Ward — at
