“Ann Arbor’s urban forest provides nearly $4.6 million in environmental, economic and social benefits to our city’s residents each year. Our trees help reduce stormwater runoff, improve water and air quality, moderate summer temperatures, lower utility costs and beautify Ann Arbor. The 10,000 Trees Initiative serves as a testament to our commitment to preserving and protecting our urban forest now and into the future.”
—Christopher Taylor, Mayor of Ann Arbor, United States
Success Story
Between 2004 and 2008, Ann Arbor removed 10,000 dead and dying ash trees that had been infected by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle. These trees were found in city parks and along city streets, formerly providing a suite of benefits – such as stormwater control, micro-climate regulation and recreation opportunities – to Ann Arbor’s 120,000 residents. Recognizing the benefits of its urban forest, Ann Arbor partnered with Davey Resource Group (an environmental consulting company) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to conduct an i-Tree Eco-Analysis to value the benefits of the city’s trees and forests. The analysis found that Ann Arbor is home to nearly 1.5 million trees, which remove 405 tons of carbon every year – the equivalent of emissions produced by 358,000 cars. Ann Arbor’s trees reduce energy costs (for cooling in the summer) by as much as $2.2 million annually, and provide other benefits in the form of cleaner air and water. Recognizing these benefits, and the loss of trees from the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, Ann Arbor has recently begun its 10,000 Trees Initiative with the goal of planting and growing 10,000 new trees on private property by 2030. The city has already planted 1,100 trees as part of this campaign (with 800 more going gout this fall) which began in April 2020.
