Atlanta’s lush tree canopy, providing considerable environmental benefits, has suffered over the years. While Atlanta is known as “the city in a forest,” averaging nearly 48% canopy coverage and considered the best in the country, its downtown area has barely 3% coverage.
The health of many of the existing trees has declined and developing additional coverage in dense urban locations can be extremely challenging.
· Endless utilities crisscrossing throughout downtown Atlanta.
· Narrow spaces between the building and street curbs - making every walkable section precious to pedestrians.
· The abundance of concrete and asphalt combined with building facades reflecting summer sunrays creating an urban heat effect.
Downtown Atlanta Urban Tree Planting Plan, Atlanta, GA | Photo Credit: Delta Airlines volunteer event
In collaboration with Trees Atlanta and given a highly unique task, HGOR developed a masterplan identifying the best approach for planting up to 10,000 trees within the square mile of downtown Atlanta.
This required comprehensive data collection, collaboration with municipal partners and experience with planting in the harsh urban conditions of Atlanta, among many other factors and planning procedures that have taken place throughout the process. Additionally, diversity of species was paramount in the selection process and resulted in a total of 44 species.
Because of this initiative, we are able to celebrate tree planting events in downtown Atlanta that will work to increase downtown canopy by 200% within the next 10 years! With plan flexibility integrated, and the city's support, we will work to keep Atlanta "the city in a forest."
Downtown Atlanta Urban Tree Planting Plan, Atlanta, GA | Photo Credit: Delta Airlines volunteer event
“Trees Atlanta and Central Atlanta Progress had a unique request for HGOR - a master tree planting plan for Downtown Atlanta with a 10,000 tree goal. The challenges could have easily overwhelmed a less dedicated and less skilled firm. HGOR gave us a detailed, workable plan that can add 8,000 trees in our city and increase our canopy from 3% to almost 20% in 20 years!” - Greg Levine, Co-Executive Director, Trees Atlanta
To see more about this project visit: Organizations partner to increase downtown tree canopy
Downtown Atlanta Urban Tree Planting Plan, Atlanta, GA | Photo Credit: Stephanie Howard, Trees Atlanta