New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue on Nov. 8 unveiled a new tree planting strategy that will combat extreme heat in neighborhoods across the city, including several in Brooklyn.
The city will plant 18,000 trees annually and reach a goal of 30% canopy coverage by 2035, according to a press release.
The initiative prioritizes heat-vulnerable neighborhoods, ensuring areas like Seagate, Coney Island, East Flatbush, Bushwick and Crown Heights will receive more trees faster and more efficiently.
The new strategy, known as "block planting," will service all of the city's 59 community boards on a three-year cycle. Previously, tree planting was slower and often subject to a backlog of over 42,000 requests.
“Trees are not only beautiful—they’re essential tools in combating climate change, providing shade, and improving air quality,” Donoghue said. “This groundbreaking approach will make our efforts more efficient and equitable, focusing on neighborhoods that need it most.”
The strategy responds to this summer’s extreme heat in the city, with certain urban areas experiencing temperatures 10 to 20 degrees higher than surrounding neighborhoods due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. The new plan targets neighborhoods with a Heat Vulnerability Index score of 4 or 5—areas most susceptible to heat-related risks.
“This is exactly what it looks like to do things the right way,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This plan will help keep our streets cool, our air clean, and our neighbors healthy.”
In addition to planting new trees, the program will address dead trees and stumps, and replace empty or unplantable tree beds, making room for future greenery.
