Many of the trees were planted in communities vulnerable to extreme heat.
New York City has planted 18,261 trees in fiscal year 2026, the most new trees in the city since fiscal year 2016, city officials announced Sept. 23.
“Most of the trees were planted in neighborhoods vulnerable to extreme heat as the city works toward a goal of reaching 30% tree canopy coverage by 2040 under its Urban Forest Plan,” Barbara Russo-Lennon writes for AM NY.
Mayor Zohran Mandami and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura expect the new greenery to improve air quality and reduce flooding. The city began preparing to plant the trees earlier than usual by harvesting trees before they began budding and working with nurseries to increase the supply of trees before planting season.
Read the full story: Throwing shade: Mamdani marks NYC’s biggest tree-planting year in a decade
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