This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
Asheville is reigniting its efforts to engage the community in shaping the future of its urban forest. The city has re-launched the Urban Forest Master Plan, beginning with a public survey that invites residents to share their thoughts on local trees.
The Urban Forest Master Plan aims to establish “a roadmap of community-influenced recommendations to support a sustainable, resilient urban forest that thrives into the future.”
Keith Aitken, Asheville’s Urban Forester, explained at a recent meeting with the Helene People & Environment Recovery Board that the plan will set broader objectives for the city’s urban forest. It seeks to bolster support from both the public and officials for integrating urban forestry into city planning.
Prior to the disruption caused by Helene, Asheville was progressing well with its planning. By 2022, a tree canopy analysis was nearing completion, and the assessment of invasive species on public lands was finalized. The city had also begun a public tree inventory. However, nature had different plans for Asheville.
“In September 2024, of course, the storm hit and everything was kind of put on hold until we got to this point right now,” Aitken stated.
The Urban Forestry Commission is focusing on tree damage within Asheville city limits since their jurisdiction doesn’t extend beyond. According to Aitken, the most significant tree blowdowns occurred outside the city limits.
“There wasn’t a really defined area where those trees came down,” Aitken noted. “A little bit in Biltmore Park, but once again, that’s in the city limits and most of it’s in the county.”
Trees play a vital role in helping cities combat climate-induced heat extremes. Asheville has been striving to expand its tree canopy, particularly in underserved areas lacking green space.
Data from 2022 highlight some disparities: while Asheville is around 56% covered by tree canopy, certain neighborhoods, especially those near the city center and busy roads in south Asheville, have less than 30% coverage. The city previously lost almost 900 acres of trees between 2008 and 2018 due to development but saw improvements before Helene. The 2022 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment showed notable increases in canopy cover citywide.
Since September, efforts to relaunch the plan have included engaging stakeholders and setting up a website. The survey is open until March. In January 2026, a virtual meeting will be held to discuss the plan, followed by a workshop in March. Aitken expressed a desire to involve younger demographics, particularly through the city school system, as most survey participants are currently in their 60s.
Until April, the city will continue to research tree canopy coverage, species inventory, climate change impacts on trees, previous urban forestry initiatives, and how to integrate these with broader city plans. A new post-Helene tree inventory will begin in January, with another canopy analysis set for the following summer.
