Raleigh is committed to enhancing its urban environment, and a key initiative in this effort is the Street Tree Equity Project. Spearheaded by Urban Forestry, a division of Raleigh Parks and Natural Resources, this project aims to plant 1,000 Raleigh Street trees over three years. This ambitious program directly supports the City of Raleigh’s Strategic Plan, addressing crucial goals of improving the urban forest and tackling environmental inequities across the city. These objectives are clearly outlined in the Strategic Plan’s Growth and Natural Resources sections 1.1, 3.1, and 3.4, which also link to initiatives like mapping urban heat islands to understand and mitigate environmental disparities.
Addressing Tree Disparity in Raleigh Neighborhoods
The Street Tree Equity Project was born from a fundamental question posed in the summer of 2021 by Urban Forestry staff: Are Raleigh street trees distributed equally and equitably throughout the city? To answer this, a detailed analysis was undertaken:
First, the Raleigh Parks GIS team mapped the density of street trees in Raleigh across the entire city. This visual representation immediately highlighted that street trees were not equally distributed. Certain areas were significantly denser in tree cover than others.
Next, social data layers were overlaid onto this map. This revealed a critical insight: neighborhoods southeast of downtown Raleigh were notably lacking in street trees. This indicated that the disparity wasn’t just about equal distribution, but also about equitable access to green spaces and the benefits they provide. Raleigh street trees, or the lack thereof, were reflecting existing social inequities.
To validate these findings, an in-person Raleigh street tree inventory was conducted. This on-the-ground survey confirmed the locations of existing street trees and, crucially, identified empty planting spaces within the public right-of-way. These gaps represented opportunities to address the identified inequities.
This comprehensive assessment led to the formalization of the Street Tree Equity Project, focused on growing a more equitable urban forest specifically in the neighborhoods southeast of downtown Raleigh.
Planting Progress: Bringing Trees to Raleigh Streets
The Street Tree Equity Project is being implemented in phases to ensure effective and impactful planting.
The first phase of planting occurred in January 2023, with 350 street trees being planted at key community locations such as churches, schools, and parks. These locations were chosen to maximize community benefit and visibility.
The second planting phase commenced in January 2024 and was completed by mid-March. This phase also saw 350 street trees added, this time primarily in front of single and multi-family homes. Expanding the planting to residential areas directly benefits homeowners and enhances neighborhood aesthetics. The green areas on the map visually represent these planting locations, showcasing the project’s progress.
Looking ahead, the third planting phase is scheduled to begin in January 2025. This final phase will further expand the reach of the project, planting street trees in front of homes, businesses, parks, and various other public spaces, marked in orange on the project map. This comprehensive approach ensures broad community coverage and long-term impact.
Community Involvement in Raleigh Street Tree Planting
Community engagement is a cornerstone of the Street Tree Equity Project. Understanding resident preferences and ensuring project buy-in are crucial for its success.
In the summer of 2023, Urban Forestry and Community Engagement staff actively participated in local summer events such as Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Mud Day. These events provided valuable opportunities to connect with Raleigh residents, raise awareness about the project, and answer questions directly.
Following these outreach efforts, in August 2023, residents living adjacent to planned planting locations received a paid-postage mailer. This mailer served a dual purpose: it allowed residents to select their preferred street tree species from a provided list, fostering a sense of ownership and participation. It also provided an option for residents to indicate if they did not want a tree planted in the right-of-way adjacent to their property, respecting individual preferences.
Community engagement efforts are being intensified this year. Residents near upcoming planting locations will receive two mailers, reinforcing communication and ensuring ample opportunity to provide feedback and make selections by the deadline of July 15, 2024. Yard signs announcing the Raleigh street tree plantings will be placed throughout the neighborhoods, further increasing visibility and awareness. Closer to the planting date, door hangers will be distributed as a final reminder before the trees are installed. Continued participation in in-person events like Earth Day and Mud Day provides ongoing opportunities for direct interaction and community dialogue. Raleigh residents can anticipate receiving mailers in June to provide their valuable feedback by July 15, 2024, actively shaping the future of their streets trees.
FAQs: Your Raleigh Street Tree Questions Answered
To address common questions and ensure transparency, the Street Tree Equity Project provides clear answers to frequently asked questions:
Why are street trees important for Raleigh?
Planting more trees in neighborhoods brings a wealth of environmental, social, and economic advantages to Raleigh:
- Cleaner Air: Trees act as natural filters, removing dust and harmful pollutants from the air, improving air quality for everyone.
- Flood Reduction: Tree canopies and root systems help to absorb rainwater, significantly reducing the risk of flash floods during heavy rain events.
- Carbon Sequestration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and release oxygen, contributing to a healthier atmosphere and combating climate change.
- Cooler Temperatures: Shade provided by street trees helps to lower air temperatures, combating the urban heat island effect and making neighborhoods more comfortable during hot days.
- Community Building: Green spaces and tree-lined streets encourage outdoor activities, providing spaces for neighbors to interact, play, and connect with nature.
- Energy Savings: Shade from street trees can reduce the need for air conditioning in homes during the summer, leading to lower energy bills for residents.
How were planting locations for new Raleigh street trees decided?
In line with Raleigh’s Strategic Plan and its commitment to environmental equity and justice, the Urban Forestry division conducted a thorough analysis to determine priority planting areas.
This process involved a walking survey of existing street trees, a review of available Census Data to understand demographic factors, and an examination of an Urban Heat Island study specific to Raleigh (linked in the original article). The walking survey revealed a significant disparity: the priority area averaged only one street tree per 1,000 feet, compared to newer parts of the city with street trees every 40 feet. While existing infrastructure presents some limitations, the analysis confirmed ample space to substantially increase the number of street trees in the underserved areas.
Who is responsible for watering and maintaining the street trees?
The responsibility for the newly planted Raleigh street trees is shared. Urban Forestry staff and a contracted landscaping company will handle the initial planting, watering, and ongoing monitoring of tree health and vigor. This ensures that the trees get the best possible start.
Will street tree roots damage my pipes?
The risk of tree roots damaging pipes is minimal. Tree roots are only attracted to pipes that are already damaged and leaking water. To mitigate any potential issues, the planting locations are carefully chosen to be a minimum of 5 feet away from known utility lines, minimizing any potential conflicts as the trees mature and their root systems develop.
Who to contact for Raleigh street tree issues?
For any concerns regarding existing or future issues, such as limbs obstructing streets or sidewalks, or if a tree appears unhealthy or dying, residents can easily submit a Tree Service Request through the City website (link provided in original article) or call 919-996-4115. A certified arborist from Urban Forestry will promptly respond, inspect the situation, and develop a plan to address any problems, which may include pruning limbs or, if necessary, removing and replacing a tree.
For reporting other city-related issues such as graffiti, potholes, or drainage problems, the City of Raleigh also utilizes the See Click Fix platform (link provided in original article).
For further information on selecting appropriate species, residents are encouraged to consult the Selecting a Street Tree Guide.
