BOSTON – On Friday, May 9th at 10am in the Iannella Chamber, Councilor Flynn will be holding an in-person hearing to discuss expanding the urban tree canopy in District 2. Residents across the city and District 2 have often called attention to the loss of trees in their community, or advocated for more tree plantings in their neighborhoods – especially in neighborhoods with low tree coverage, such as Chinatown, Downtown, and South Boston. Interested neighbors who would like to attend the hearing in-person, or to testify virtually via zoom, are invited to please reach out to Central Staff Liaison Shane Pac at [email protected]. If you would like to also provide written testimony, you can email the committee at [email protected] or email [email protected].

The City of Boston released its Urban Forest Plan in September of 2022, which lays out strategies for the preservation, cultivation, and expansion of our urban canopy. The City Council subsequently passed the tree protection ordinance late 2023, which regulates the process of tree removals, trimming, and maintenance on city-owned land.

Aside from preservation, there is a glaring need to expand coverage to ensure that every neighborhood has a healthy tree canopy. The Urban Forest Plan finds that neighborhoods in the south and west parts of the city have more trees, while neighborhoods in the north and east parts of the City, such as South Boston, have the least tree coverage. As of 2019, while the city average was 27%, South Boston only had 8% tree coverage and a census tract in Chinatown only had 7%.

“It is critically important that the City of Boston make a concerted effort to expand our urban tree canopy in District 2 neighborhoods that have low coverage- like Chinatown and South Boston- and help us combat hotter summers and heat island effect,”said Councilor Flynn.“From improving our air quality, providing shade, and helping absorb stormwater runoff – neighbors across the city continue to call attention to the substantial benefits trees provide to our communities. Having a healthy urban tree canopy is vital to our environment, our mental health, and quality of life.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].