{"id":40565,"date":"2025-08-12T16:04:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T16:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=40565"},"modified":"2025-08-29T16:39:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T16:39:27","slug":"best-cities-for-tree-huggers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-cities-for-tree-huggers\/","title":{"rendered":"Urban Forests: 2025\u2019s Top Cities for Tree Huggers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where can forest lovers enjoy city life under beautiful tree cover?<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To measure up urban tree canopies of the U.S., <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\">Lawn Love<\/a> looked at 14 metrics to rank 2025\u2019s Top Cities for Tree Huggers.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stroll through our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the cities, see our <a href=\"#methodology\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf33Across all 500 cities in our ranking, the <strong>average tree canopy percentage<\/strong> is <strong>26%<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf32The <strong>average tree canopy coverage<\/strong> is <strong>48 sq km<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc9aAbout <strong>74% of cities<\/strong> in our ranking are recognized by <strong>Tree City USA<\/strong>.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"in-this-article\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this article<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#top-five\">Top 5 cities for tree huggers<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#rankings\">Tree city rankings<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#key-insights\">Key insights<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#city-trees-usa\">City of Trees, USA: What\u2019s in a name?<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#metric-highlights\">Urban tree canopy metric highlights<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#ask-the-experts\">Expert take<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#methodology\">Behind the ranking<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Reciprocal roots: Tree care at home<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-five\"><span id=\"top-5-cities-for-tree-huggers\">Top 5 cities for tree huggers<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 cities for tree huggers.<\/p>   <div style=\"min-height: 535px\" class=\"ub_image_slider swiper-container wp-block-ub-image-slider\" id=\"ub_image_slider_dd922f39-bceb-4396-a939-bd321fc6f8d6\" data-swiper-data='{\"speed\":300,\"spaceBetween\":20,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"loop\":true,\"pagination\":{\"el\": \".swiper-pagination\" , \"type\": \"bullets\", \"clickable\":true},\"navigation\": {\"nextEl\": \".swiper-button-next\", \"prevEl\": \".swiper-button-prev\"}, \"keyboard\": { \"enabled\": true }, \"effect\": \"slide\",\"simulateTouch\":false}'>             <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_556884475-1.png\" alt=\"Bright green trees stand tall in a park with the Nashville skyline in the background\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 1: <\/strong>Nashville | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>58.97<br><br><strong>Tree Canopy Percentage: <\/strong>57% | Rank: 14<br><strong>Tree Canopy Coverage: <\/strong>706 sq km | Rank: 1<br><strong>Number of Arboretums &amp; Public Gardens: <\/strong>3 | Rank: 16<br><strong>Number of Urban Tree Initiatives: <\/strong>3 | Rank: 8 (TIE)<br><strong>Historical Annual Average Precipitation: <\/strong>4.21 inches | Rank: 54<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Apply to receive 1-3 <a href=\"https:\/\/info.rootnashville.org\/tree-order-form-s8?__hstc=149201065.d2c3c4695741bfbb77f7d1ba1f349688.1752770314630.1752770314630.1752770314630.1&amp;__hssc=149201065.35.1752770314630&amp;__hsfp=3352691268\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trees<\/a> to plant in your backyard.<br><br>Check out 50 different tree species growing downtown with the <a href=\"https:\/\/nashvilledowntown.com\/explore\/arboretum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nashville Downtown Arboretum<\/a> map.\u00a0<br><br>Davidson County has a goal to plant 500,000 trees by 2050. Help make that happen by volunteering with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nashvilletreeconservationcorps.org\/treenews\/volunteer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nashville Tree Conservation Corps<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/nashvilletreefoundation.org\/get-involved\/become-a-volunteer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nashville Tree Foundation<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/rootnashville.org\/volunteer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Root Nashville<\/a>.<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-native-plants-nashville\/\">Best Native Plants for Nashville<\/a><br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&amp;filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&amp;k=Nashville&amp;order=relevance&amp;limit=100&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=Nashville&amp;get_facets=1&amp;asset_id=556884475\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digidreamgrafix<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/43918928474_bafd0ecc74_k-1.png\" alt=\"A green landscape along the river across from the skyline of Columbus, Georgia\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 2: <\/strong>Columbus, Georgia | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>58.9<br><br><strong>Tree Canopy Percentage: <\/strong>70% | Rank: 1<br><strong>Tree Canopy Coverage: <\/strong>389 sq km | Rank: 7<br><strong>Number of Urban Tree Initiatives: <\/strong>3 | Rank: 8 (TIE)<br><strong>Tree City USA Commitment: <\/strong>10 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Historical Annual Average Precipitation: <\/strong>4.07 | Rank: 82<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treescolumbus.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trees Columbus<\/a> received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gpb.org\/news\/2024\/09\/09\/columbus-nonprofit-gets-900k-plant-500-trees-in-citys-under-served-parks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$900,000<\/a> to plant 500 trees across city parks by 2028.\u00a0<br><br>Go birding at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbusbotanicalgarden.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Columbus Botanical Garden<\/a> among the forest of mixed hardwood trees.\u00a0<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-planting-zone-is-georgia\/\">What Zone is Georgia for Planting?<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/georgia-landscaping-ideas\/\">7 Georgia Landscaping Ideas for Your Home<\/a><br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/vwcampin\/43918928474\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shelby L. Bell<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_611811269-1.png\" alt=\"A lake surrounded by trees with Atlanta\u2019s downtown skyline in the distance\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 3: <\/strong>Atlanta | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>57.42<br><br><strong>Tree Canopy Percentage: <\/strong>53% | Rank: 22<br><strong>Tree Canopy Coverage: <\/strong>183 sq km | Rank: 22<br><strong>Number of Arboretums &amp; Public Gardens: <\/strong>2 | Rank: 28 (TIE)<br><strong>Number of Tree Maintenance Services: <\/strong>245 | Rank: 12<br><strong>Drought Index Score: <\/strong>0 | Rank: 1<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>The \u201cCity in a Forest\u201d has a goal to conserve and plant 1 million trees by 2030 with help from local nonprofits like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treesatlanta.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trees Atlanta<\/a>.\u00a0<br><br>Explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/beltline.org\/things-to-do\/arboretum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atlanta Beltline Arboretum<\/a>, an 85-acre greenway growing 369 different species of trees and shrubs. Check out the Storza Woods and Conifer Garden at the <a href=\"https:\/\/atlantabg.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atlanta Botanical Garden<\/a>.<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/low-maintenance-landscaping-atlanta\/\">11 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Atlanta<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-planting-zone-is-georgia\/\">What Zone is Georgia for Planting?<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/georgia-landscaping-ideas\/\">7 Georgia Landscaping Ideas for Your Home<\/a><br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/panoramic-view-of-lake-clara-meer-and-atlanta-skyline-shot-early-morning-from-piedmont-park-in-downtown-atlanta-ga\/611811269\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rajesh<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/33676137668_3e36d23948_k-1.png\" alt=\"An aerial view of the forest surrounding the skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 4: <\/strong>Charlotte | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>57.31<br><br><strong>Tree Canopy Percentage: <\/strong>47% | Rank: 40<br><strong>Tree Canopy Coverage: <\/strong>339 sq km | Rank: 9<br><strong>Number of Arboretums &amp; Public Gardens: <\/strong>4 | Rank: 12<br><strong>Number of Tree Maintenance Services: <\/strong>251 | Rank: 9<br><strong>Tree City USA Commitment <\/strong>9 | Rank: 16<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Register for the next TreeAdoption event or become a volunteer with <a href=\"https:\/\/treescharlotte.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TreesCharlotte<\/a>.\u00a0<br><br>Help inventory the city\u2019s canopy by logging your trees with <a href=\"https:\/\/pg-cloud.com\/CharlotteNC\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tree By Tree<\/a> and identify and promptly remove any <a href=\"https:\/\/treescharlotte.org\/tree-care-tips\/ivy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">invasive vines<\/a> or other species.\u00a0<br><br>Queen City is home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bartlett.com\/bartlett-tree-research-laboratories\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bartlett Tree Research Lab and Arboretum<\/a>, which boasts over 15,000 plant records \u2014 including the world\u2019s largest magnolia cultivar collection \u2014 on 350 acres.\u00a0<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/low-maintenance-landscaping-charlotte\/\">9 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Charlotte<\/a><br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/kenlund\/33676137668\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ken Lund<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_470027637-1.png\" alt=\"An aerial view of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 5: <\/strong>Athens, Georgia | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>56.23<br><br><strong>Tree Canopy Percentage: <\/strong>65% | Rank: 4<br><strong>Tree Canopy Coverage: <\/strong>197 | Rank: 21<br><strong>Average Yard Square Acreage: <\/strong>0.5 | Rank: 9<br><strong>Number of Arboretums &amp; Public Gardens: <\/strong>2 | Rank: 28 (TIE)<br><strong>Historical Annual Average Precipitation: <\/strong>4.08 inches | Rank: 81<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>The University of Georgia at Athens is home to both a Campus Arboretum and the <a href=\"https:\/\/botgarden.uga.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">State Botanical Garden of Georgia<\/a>.<br><br>The city is home to a local legend, landmark, and resident \u2014 the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitathensga.com\/things-to-do\/attractions\/the-tree-that-owns-itself\/\">T<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitathensga.com\/things-to-do\/attractions\/the-tree-that-owns-itself\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">r<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitathensga.com\/things-to-do\/attractions\/the-tree-that-owns-itself\/\">ee That Owns Itself<\/a>.\u201d Lore claims that this tree has legal ownership of itself and the land within 8ft of the tree\u2019s base.<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-planting-zone-is-georgia\/\">What Zone is Georgia for Planting?<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/georgia-landscaping-ideas\/\">7 Georgia Landscaping Ideas for Your Home<\/a><br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&amp;filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&amp;filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;k=athens%2C+georgia&amp;order=relevance&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=athens%2C+georgia&amp;get_facets=1&amp;asset_id=470027637\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jacob<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Standard<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div> <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>         <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rankings\"><span id=\"tree-city-rankings\">Tree city rankings<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See how each city fared in our ranking:<\/p>   <div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 80% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/3e2d4841-92ad-4ecc-9136-5e136265080b?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"LL: Ranking Table - 2025's Top Cities for Tree Huggers\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>   <div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 78.5% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/49db31f9-42f0-4d9d-b0fd-918a910bfdbf?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\" LL: Top  25 Cities for Tree Huggers\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-insights\">Key insights<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>369 cities<\/strong> in our ranking are part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arborday.org\/our-work\/tree-city-usa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tree City USA<\/a>. <strong>15 cities<\/strong>, including <strong>Columbus, Georgia<\/strong> (No. 2), <strong>Portland, Oregon<\/strong> (No. 19), and <strong>Philadelphia<\/strong> (No. 29), tie for being among the longest-running members, each boasting <strong>over 46 years of recognition<\/strong> by Tree City USA.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Baltimore<\/strong> (No. 31) branches out with the <strong>most Urban Tree Initiatives <\/strong>with the USDA Forest Service, followed by <strong>Philadelphia<\/strong> and <strong>Gainesville, Florida<\/strong> (No. 17). These initiatives include urban forest research projects, tree cultivation training programs, and forest rehabilitation efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Urban desert regions in <strong>Nevada<\/strong>, <strong>New Mexico<\/strong>, <strong>Colorado<\/strong>, and <strong>Arizona<\/strong> score near the bottom, with <strong>less dense urban canopies<\/strong> and <strong>harsh climates<\/strong> making it more difficult and expensive to successfully grow a tree. Some forests are struggling due to <strong>drought and <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.9news.com\/article\/tech\/science\/environment\/warm-dry-2024-colorado-forests\/73-e3fcae3e-5a1c-41a7-942c-6b0e035803c8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>invasive pests<\/strong><\/a>, with the rate of <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcenm.com\/briefs\/state-survey-finds-new-mexico-tree-mortality-doubled-in-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>tree deaths doubling<\/strong><\/a><strong> in New Mexico<\/strong> between 2023 and 2024.&nbsp;<br><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humid regions like those in <strong>Tyler, Texas<\/strong> (No. 26), <strong>Georgia<\/strong>, and the coastal regions of <strong>Virginia<\/strong> have the <strong>best climate<\/strong> for trees to grow without being <strong>significantly impacted by drought or freezing temperatures<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>New York<\/strong> (No. 7) has the <strong>most arboretums<\/strong> and public gardens, <strong>16<\/strong> recognized by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgci.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Botanic Gardens Conservation International<\/a>, followed by <strong>Washington, D.C.<\/strong> (No. 42) and <strong>Cincinnati<\/strong> (No. 11).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dallas<\/strong> (No. 44) has the <strong>most tree maintenance services<\/strong>, <strong>433<\/strong>, followed by <strong>San Antonio<\/strong> (No. 48).&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><\/li> <\/ul>   <h2 id=\"ask-the-experts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>  <div id=\"experts-block\" class=\"experts\">     <h2 id=\"expert-take\" class=\"text-2xl font-bold text-black mb-3\">Expert take<\/h2>    <p>Having a robust backyard tree canopy comes with a plethora of benefits \u2014 including an <a href=\"https:\/\/vibrantcitieslab.com\/research\/economic-development-property-values-impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">increase of up to 15%<\/a> in property value.<\/p> <p>We turned to a panel of tree experts to learn more about conserving canopies and for some tree care advice. Climb through their insights below.<\/p> <ol> <li>How can regular folks \u2014 including apartment dwellers \u2014 advocate for trees in their area?<\/li> <li>What are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?<\/li> <li>What are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?<\/li> <li>What advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors (e.g., tree branches landing on the other side of the fence)?<\/li> <\/ol>    <div id=\"experts-container\" class=\"relative lg:mt-6\" x-data=\"experts()\" x-init=\"init()\">      <style>       .expert-avatars {         scrollbar-width: none;         -ms-overflow-style: none;          \/* momentum scroll on iOS *\/         -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;          \/* disbable vertical scroll for touch *\/         touch-action: pan-x;       }        \/* hide scroll bar *\/       .expert-avatars::-webkit-scrollbar {         display: none;       }        .expert-avatars .item {         width: 125px;         flex-shrink: 0;       }        .expert-avatars .item:not(:last-child) {         margin-right: 10px;       }        \/* hacky fix for padding at the end of the.expert-avatars *\/       .expert-avatars .item:last-child {         position: relative;       }        .expert-avatars .item:last-child::after {         position: absolute;         left: 100%;         height: 1px;         width: 20px;         display: block;         content: \"\";       }        .trim-label {         max-height: 18px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials {         max-height: 18px;         width: 250px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials-small {         max-height: 18px;         width: 110px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        [x-cloak] {         display: none;       }     <\/style>      <div class=\"expert-avatars flex overflow-x-scroll overscroll-contain px-2 mb-10 lg:hidden\">                         <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NC-State-University-CONR.jpg\" alt=\"NC State University College of Natural Resources Logo\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Rajan Parajuli, Ph.D., | Meredith Martin, Ph.D, | Gary Blank, Ph.D. <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Associate Professors and Professor<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('lauren-grand', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-08-001857.png\" alt=\"Lauren Grand\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Lauren Grand <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Associate Professor of Practice<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('ram-adhikari-phd', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ram-Adhikari.png\" alt=\"Ram Adhikari\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Ram Adhikari, PhD <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Assistant Professor<\/div>           <\/div>                   <\/div>                     <div           id=\"expert-rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NC-State-University-CONR.jpg\" alt=\"NC State University College of Natural Resources Logo\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Rajan Parajuli, Ph.D., | Meredith Martin, Ph.D, | Gary Blank, Ph.D. <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professors and Professor<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">North Carolina State University, College of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('rajan-parajuli-phd--meredith-martin-phd--gary-blank-phd')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NC-State-University-CONR.jpg\" alt=\"NC State University College of Natural Resources Logo\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Rajan Parajuli, Ph.D., | Meredith Martin, Ph.D, | Gary Blank, Ph.D. <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professors and Professor<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">North Carolina State University, College of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>How can regular folks \u2014 including apartment dwellers \u2014 advocate for trees in their area?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Showing their strong preference for well-managed trees and greening around their apartment complex is one option. Different organizations also offer tree giveaway programs and tree planting events that might be available depending on your area.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?<\/strong><\/p> <p>One common issue is damage to tree roots, either through soil compaction too close to the tree or cutting roots during construction or utility ditching. Oversalting in the winter can also damage trees, as can over-trimming or over-pruning trees.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?<\/strong><\/p> <p>This is hard because it is so regionally dependent! In the east and midwest, white oak is an iconic species that is hugely important for wildlife and is also economically and culturally important. Maple species, red maple and sugar maple, provide beautiful fall colors and are also quite iconic in landscapes across their range in the eastern U.S.<\/p> <p><strong>What advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors (e.g., tree branches landing on the other side of the fence)?<\/strong><\/p> <p>While over-pruning can damage trees unintentionally, regular tree maintenance and proper pruning can help avoid this type of conflict. People may also want to carefully consider species and site selection when planting new trees to try to avoid this issue (i.e. smaller ornamentals may be better suited to locations closer to the property edge or under power lines, etc, whereas larger canopy trees should have plenty of room to spread.)<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-lauren-grand\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'lauren-grand', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'lauren-grand'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('lauren-grand', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'lauren-grand', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'lauren-grand'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('lauren-grand', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-08-001857.png\" alt=\"Lauren Grand\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'lauren-grand'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Lauren Grand <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'lauren-grand'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professor of Practice<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'lauren-grand'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Oregon State University<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'lauren-grand'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('lauren-grand', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'lauren-grand'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('lauren-grand')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-08-001857.png\" alt=\"Lauren Grand\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Lauren Grand <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professor of Practice<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Oregon State University<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>How can regular folks\u2014including apartment dwellers\u2014advocate for trees in their area?<\/strong><\/p> <p>You don\u2019t have to own land to make a difference for trees in your community. One way to help is by voting for local leaders who prioritize urban tree programs and green spaces. You can also get involved by volunteering with community organizations that plant and care for trees in parks, neighborhoods, and other public spaces. Even small efforts, like supporting tree-friendly policies or spreading awareness, can help make your area greener and healthier.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Most tree damage isn\u2019t caused by bad intentions\u2014just a lack of awareness. One big mistake is compacting or damaging the roots, whether by parking cars on them, adding too much heavy soil, or even just constant foot traffic. Construction near trees can also be a problem, as digging and grading can disturb the root system. Another issue is altering the natural water flow, which can drown the tree or leave it struggling for moisture. These stress trees and make them more vulnerable to disease, pests, and decline.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?<\/strong><\/p> <p>America is home to some truly legendary trees! The coastal redwood takes the title of the tallest tree in the world, towering over 300 feet high. The bristlecone pine is the oldest tree, with some living over 4,000 years. And a personal favorite, the sugar pine, holds the record for the longest pine cone, stretching up to two feet long! These trees are not just impressive, but they also play vital roles in their ecosystems.<\/p> <p><strong>What advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The best approach to any tree dispute is open and respectful communication. Start by talking with your neighbor to find common ground and work toward a solution together. It also helps to understand local tree ordinances so you know your rights and responsibilities. If your neighbor owns the tree, offering support\u2014whether that\u2019s sharing maintenance costs or helping with cleanup\u2014can go a long way in keeping the conversation positive and productive.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-ram-adhikari-phd\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'ram-adhikari-phd', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'ram-adhikari-phd'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('ram-adhikari-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'ram-adhikari-phd', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'ram-adhikari-phd'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('ram-adhikari-phd', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ram-Adhikari.png\" alt=\"Ram Adhikari\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ram-adhikari-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ram Adhikari, PhD <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ram-adhikari-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ram-adhikari-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Mississippi State University, College of Forest Resources<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'ram-adhikari-phd'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('ram-adhikari-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'ram-adhikari-phd'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('ram-adhikari-phd')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ram-Adhikari.png\" alt=\"Ram Adhikari\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ram Adhikari, PhD <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Mississippi State University, College of Forest Resources<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>How can regular folks \u2014 including apartment dwellers \u2014 advocate for trees in their area?<\/strong><\/p> <p>They can demand that city officials establish more public parks and gardens in their cities. People should purchase houses in areas with high tree coverage so that real estate developers feel the importance of the natural environment around their developed sites. People should teach their children about the importance of trees.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?<\/strong><\/p> <p>People can transport harmful insects and diseases from one area to another area where healthy trees exist. People can convert mixed-species forestlands to a monoculture, which are very susceptible to pests, diseases, and other extreme climate events. Development projects can change the soil and water conditions which can be harmful to existing trees. These projects usually either increase water flow or decrease soil moisture.<\/p> <p><strong>What are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?<\/strong><\/p> <p>They are red maple, loblolly pine, and Douglas fir.<\/p> <p><strong>What advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors (e.g., tree branches landing on the other side of the fence)?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Rather than going to court, I always encourage both parties to settle it via negotiation. The beneficial party should pay the affected party. The court or any other local authority should encourage a mutual settlement in such cases.<strong>Dallas<\/strong> (No. 44) has the <strong>most tree maintenance services<\/strong>, <strong>433<\/strong>, followed by <strong>San Antonio<\/strong> (No. 48).<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>              <\/div> <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"city-trees-usa\"><span id=\"city-of-trees-usa-whats-in-a-name\">City of Trees, USA: What\u2019s in a name?<\/span><\/h2>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"b3322c8e-ec16-41ee-a3c5-93f090fc3f47\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tree Huggers - City of Trees, USA\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"metric-highlights\"><span id=\"urban-tree-canopy-metric-highlights\">Urban tree canopy metric highlights<\/span><\/h2>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"47a6bb8c-08aa-481c-be8f-c5bd734967d4\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tree Huggers - Tree Canopy Metric Highlights\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\"><span id=\"behind-the-ranking\">Behind the ranking<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Top Cities for Tree Huggers. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 3 categories: Tree Canopy, Urban Tree Infrastructure, and Climate. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For each of the 500 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table. We eliminated 32 cities \u2014 including Houston, San Diego, Jacksonville, and Tucson \u2014 lacking sufficient data in a single category, resulting in a final sample size of 468 cities.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city\u2019s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked \u201cBest\u201d (No. 1) and the lowest \u201cWorst\u201d (No. 468).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notes:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Tree City USA Commitment is an index based on the length of time a city has been recognized by Tree City, USA.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>We considered the Number of Arboretums &amp; Public Gardens recognized by Botanic Gardens Conservation International, which may not encompass all arboretums within a city.<\/li>    <li>The \u201cWorst\u201d among individual factors may not be No. 468 due to ties.<\/li> <\/ul>   <div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 80% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/4a3fbd35-5d8d-42a2-b502-44c8d650fdf1?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\" LL: Methodology Table - 2025's Top Cities for Tree Huggers\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>    <h3 id=\"sources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h3>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Almanac, Arbor Day Foundation, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Google, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Native Plant Finder, NCSL, The Real Yellow Pages, Reference USA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency, and U.S. Forest Service<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\"><span id=\"reciprocal-roots-tree-care-at-home\">Reciprocal roots: Tree care at home<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining and growing urban tree canopies can go a long way toward improving community health.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From improving air and water quality, to stormwater management, to lowering energy bills and noise pollution, to beautifying the community, there are numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.org\/en-us\/magazine\/magazine-articles\/tree-planting-human-health-louisville\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">physical<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/news.clemson.edu\/scientists-link-urban-tree-structure-to-mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mental advantages<\/a> for living in a region with dense tree cover.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cPlanting trees around your home isn\u2019t just about adding beauty \u2014 it can save you money. In the summer, trees provide shade that helps keep your house cool, while in the winter, they act as windbreaks, reducing heating costs.\u201d &#8211; Lauren Grand, associate professor at Oregon State University<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It costs an average of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/plant-tree-cost\/\"><strong>$540 to $645<\/strong><\/a> to have a tree planted professionally and an average of <strong>$420<\/strong> for professional <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/tree-trimming-cost\/\">tree trimming<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find inspiration to plant a tree in your backyard and guides on keeping it healthy below:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arborday.org\/value\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Tree Benefit Calculator<\/a> tool to assess the value of existing or potential tree growth in your neighborhood.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Homeowners in dry regions should opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-drought-tolerant-trees\/\">drought-tolerant trees<\/a>, while hurricane and tornado-prone homeowners should shop for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wind-resistant-trees\/\">wind-resistant trees<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Fill your landscape with stunning <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-flowering-trees\/\">flowering trees<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Watch out for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/signs-of-drought-stress-in-trees\/\">signs of drought stress in trees<\/a> and learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-take-care-of-trees-during-drought\/\">take care of your trees during a drought<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Look out for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/common-pests-that-damage-trees\/\">common pests that damage trees<\/a> like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-how-to-protect-trees-shrubs-from-japanese-beetles\/\">Japanese beetles<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Keep an eye out for deficiencies like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-treat-iron-chlorosis-trees-shrubs\/\">iron chlorosis<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Know when to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/tree-removal-cost\/\">remove a tree<\/a> and how to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-transplant-a-tree\/\">safely transplant a tree<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Schedule a tree inspection to check for any dangerous branches, pest infestations, or other issues that might impact the health of trees on your property.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\"><em>Hire a local Lawn Love crew<\/em><\/a><em> to clear your backyard and make room for growing a forest of your own.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1DAez0eoaXqlbpkyhL553MwV4C0eEHQeRndj6mexkXWs\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution images of cities<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Main photo credit:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/environmental-organization-low-angle-of-vigorous-three-volunteers-planting-tree-and-grinning\/207732414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">zinkevych<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where can dendrophiles get their fix in an urban setting? Discover 2025\u2019s Top Cities for Tree Huggers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":40576,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Where can forest lovers enjoy city life under beautiful tree cover?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To measure up urban tree canopies of the U.S., <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\">Lawn Love<\/a> looked at 14 metrics to rank 2025\u2019s Top Cities for Tree Huggers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Stroll through our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the cities, see our <a href=\"#methodology\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\ud83c\udf33Across all 500 cities in our ranking, the <strong>average tree canopy percentage<\/strong> is <strong>26%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\ud83c\udf32The <strong>average tree canopy coverage<\/strong> is <strong>48 sq km<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\ud83d\udc9aAbout <strong>74% of cities<\/strong> in our ranking are recognized by <strong>Tree City USA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this article<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#top-five\">Top 5 cities for tree huggers<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#rankings\">Tree city rankings<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#key-insights\">Key insights<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#city-trees-usa\">City of Trees, USA: What\u2019s in a name?<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#metric-highlights\">Urban tree canopy metric highlights<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#ask-the-experts\">Expert take<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#methodology\">Behind the ranking<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Reciprocal roots: Tree care at home<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-five\">Top 5 cities for tree huggers<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 cities for tree huggers.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ub\/image-slider {\"blockID\":\"7cedfc2d-151e-45f6-b999-6a6cdb5a9a9d\",\"pics\":[{\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":{\"height\":150,\"width\":150,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_556884475-1-150x150.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"medium\":{\"height\":200,\"width\":300,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_556884475-1-300x200.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"full\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_556884475-1.png\",\"height\":533,\"width\":800,\"orientation\":\"landscape\"}},\"mime\":\"image\/png\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"png\",\"id\":40567,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_556884475-1.png\",\"alt\":\"Bright green trees stand tall in a park with the Nashville skyline in the background\",\"link\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=40567\",\"caption\":\"\"},{\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":{\"height\":150,\"width\":150,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/43918928474_bafd0ecc74_k-1-150x150.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"medium\":{\"height\":206,\"width\":300,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/43918928474_bafd0ecc74_k-1-300x206.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"full\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/43918928474_bafd0ecc74_k-1.png\",\"height\":550,\"width\":800,\"orientation\":\"landscape\"}},\"mime\":\"image\/png\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"png\",\"id\":40568,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/43918928474_bafd0ecc74_k-1.png\",\"alt\":\"A green landscape along the river across from the skyline of Columbus, Georgia\",\"link\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=40568\",\"caption\":\"\"},{\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":{\"height\":150,\"width\":150,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_611811269-1-150x150.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"medium\":{\"height\":200,\"width\":300,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_611811269-1-300x200.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"full\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_611811269-1.png\",\"height\":533,\"width\":800,\"orientation\":\"landscape\"}},\"mime\":\"image\/png\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"png\",\"id\":40569,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_611811269-1.png\",\"alt\":\"A lake surrounded by trees with Atlanta\u2019s downtown skyline in the distance\",\"link\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=40569\",\"caption\":\"\"},{\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":{\"height\":150,\"width\":150,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/33676137668_3e36d23948_k-1-150x150.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"medium\":{\"height\":144,\"width\":300,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/33676137668_3e36d23948_k-1-300x144.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"full\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/33676137668_3e36d23948_k-1.png\",\"height\":385,\"width\":800,\"orientation\":\"landscape\"}},\"mime\":\"image\/png\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"png\",\"id\":40570,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/33676137668_3e36d23948_k-1.png\",\"alt\":\"An aerial view of the forest surrounding the skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina\",\"link\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=40570\",\"caption\":\"\"},{\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":{\"height\":150,\"width\":150,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_470027637-1-150x150.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"medium\":{\"height\":200,\"width\":300,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_470027637-1-300x200.png\",\"orientation\":\"landscape\"},\"full\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_470027637-1.png\",\"height\":533,\"width\":800,\"orientation\":\"landscape\"}},\"mime\":\"image\/png\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"png\",\"id\":40571,\"url\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_470027637-1.png\",\"alt\":\"An aerial view of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia\",\"link\":\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=40571\",\"caption\":\"\"}],\"descriptions\":[{\"id\":40567,\"text\":\"u003cstrongu003eNo. 1: u003c\/strongu003eNashville | u003cstrongu003eOverall score: u003c\/strongu003e58.97u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Percentage: u003c\/strongu003e57% | Rank: 14u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Coverage: u003c\/strongu003e706 sq km | Rank: 1u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Arboretums u0026amp; Public Gardens: u003c\/strongu003e3 | Rank: 16u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Urban Tree Initiatives: u003c\/strongu003e3 | Rank: 8 (TIE)u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eHistorical Annual Average Precipitation: u003c\/strongu003e4.21 inches | Rank: 54u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLocal tips: u003c\/strongu003eApply to receive 1-3 u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/info.rootnashville.org\/tree-order-form-s8?__hstc=149201065.d2c3c4695741bfbb77f7d1ba1f349688.1752770314630.1752770314630.1752770314630.1u0026amp;__hssc=149201065.35.1752770314630u0026amp;__hsfp=3352691268u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003efree treesu003c\/au003e to plant in your backyard.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eCheck out 50 different tree species growing downtown with the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/nashvilledowntown.com\/explore\/arboretumu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eNashville Downtown Arboretumu003c\/au003e map.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eDavidson County has a goal to plant 500,000 trees by 2050. Help make that happen by volunteering with the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.nashvilletreeconservationcorps.org\/treenews\/volunteeru0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eNashville Tree Conservation Corpsu003c\/au003e, u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/nashvilletreefoundation.org\/get-involved\/become-a-volunteer\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eNashville Tree Foundationu003c\/au003e, and u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/rootnashville.org\/volunteer\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRoot Nashvilleu003c\/au003e.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-native-plants-nashville\/u0022u003eBest Native Plants for Nashvilleu003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003ePhoto credit: u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0u0026amp;k=Nashvilleu0026amp;order=relevanceu0026amp;limit=100u0026amp;search_page=1u0026amp;search_type=usertypedu0026amp;acp=u0026amp;aco=Nashvilleu0026amp;get_facets=1u0026amp;asset_id=556884475u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003edigidreamgrafixu003c\/au003e \/ Adobe Stock \/ u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-termsu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLicenseu003c\/au003e\",\"link\":\"\"},{\"text\":\"u003cstrongu003eNo. 2: u003c\/strongu003eColumbus, Georgia | u003cstrongu003eOverall score: u003c\/strongu003e58.9u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Percentage: u003c\/strongu003e70% | Rank: 1u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Coverage: u003c\/strongu003e389 sq km | Rank: 7u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Urban Tree Initiatives: u003c\/strongu003e3 | Rank: 8 (TIE)u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree City USA Commitment: u003c\/strongu003e10 | Rank: 1u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eHistorical Annual Average Precipitation: u003c\/strongu003e4.07 | Rank: 82u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLocal tips: u003c\/strongu003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.treescolumbus.org\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eTrees Columbusu003c\/au003e received u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.gpb.org\/news\/2024\/09\/09\/columbus-nonprofit-gets-900k-plant-500-trees-in-citys-under-served-parksu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e$900,000u003c\/au003e to plant 500 trees across city parks by 2028.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eGo birding at the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.columbusbotanicalgarden.org\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eColumbus Botanical Gardenu003c\/au003e among the forest of mixed hardwood trees.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-planting-zone-is-georgia\/u0022u003eWhat Zone is Georgia for Planting?u003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/georgia-landscaping-ideas\/u0022u003e7 Georgia Landscaping Ideas for Your Homeu003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003ePhoto credit: u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/vwcampin\/43918928474\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eShelby L. Bellu003c\/au003e \/ Flickr \/ u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/deed.enu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eCC BY 2.0u003c\/au003e\",\"link\":\"\",\"id\":40568},{\"text\":\"u003cstrongu003eNo. 3: u003c\/strongu003eAtlanta | u003cstrongu003eOverall score: u003c\/strongu003e57.42u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Percentage: u003c\/strongu003e53% | Rank: 22u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Coverage: u003c\/strongu003e183 sq km | Rank: 22u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Arboretums u0026amp; Public Gardens: u003c\/strongu003e2 | Rank: 28 (TIE)u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Tree Maintenance Services: u003c\/strongu003e245 | Rank: 12u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDrought Index Score: u003c\/strongu003e0 | Rank: 1u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLocal tips: u003c\/strongu003eThe \u201cCity in a Forest\u201d has a goal to conserve and plant 1 million trees by 2030 with help from local nonprofits like u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.treesatlanta.org\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eTrees Atlantau003c\/au003e.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eExplore the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/beltline.org\/things-to-do\/arboretum\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eAtlanta Beltline Arboretumu003c\/au003e, an 85-acre greenway growing 369 different species of trees and shrubs. Check out the Storza Woods and Conifer Garden at the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/atlantabg.org\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eAtlanta Botanical Gardenu003c\/au003e.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/low-maintenance-landscaping-atlanta\/u0022u003e11 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Atlantau003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-planting-zone-is-georgia\/u0022u003eWhat Zone is Georgia for Planting?u003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/georgia-landscaping-ideas\/u0022u003e7 Georgia Landscaping Ideas for Your Homeu003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003ePhoto credit: u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/panoramic-view-of-lake-clara-meer-and-atlanta-skyline-shot-early-morning-from-piedmont-park-in-downtown-atlanta-ga\/611811269u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRajeshu003c\/au003e \/ Adobe Stock \/ u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-termsu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLicenseu003c\/au003e\",\"link\":\"\",\"id\":40569},{\"text\":\"u003cstrongu003eNo. 4: u003c\/strongu003eCharlotte | u003cstrongu003eOverall score: u003c\/strongu003e57.31u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Percentage: u003c\/strongu003e47% | Rank: 40u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Coverage: u003c\/strongu003e339 sq km | Rank: 9u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Arboretums u0026amp; Public Gardens: u003c\/strongu003e4 | Rank: 12u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Tree Maintenance Services: u003c\/strongu003e251 | Rank: 9u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree City USA Commitment u003c\/strongu003e9 | Rank: 16u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLocal tips: u003c\/strongu003eRegister for the next TreeAdoption event or become a volunteer with u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/treescharlotte.org\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eTreesCharlotteu003c\/au003e.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eHelp inventory the city\u2019s canopy by logging your trees with u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/pg-cloud.com\/CharlotteNC\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eTree By Treeu003c\/au003e and identify and promptly remove any u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/treescharlotte.org\/tree-care-tips\/ivy\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003einvasive vinesu003c\/au003e or other species.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eQueen City is home to the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.bartlett.com\/bartlett-tree-research-laboratoriesu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eBartlett Tree Research Lab and Arboretumu003c\/au003e, which boasts over 15,000 plant records \u2014 including the world\u2019s largest magnolia cultivar collection \u2014 on 350 acres.\u00a0u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/low-maintenance-landscaping-charlotte\/u0022u003e9 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Charlotteu003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003ePhoto credit: u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/kenlund\/33676137668\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eKen Lundu003c\/au003e \/ Flickr \/ u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/deed.enu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eCC BY-SA 2.0u003c\/au003e\",\"link\":\"\",\"id\":40570},{\"text\":\"u003cstrongu003eNo. 5: u003c\/strongu003eAthens, Georgia | u003cstrongu003eOverall score: u003c\/strongu003e56.23u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Percentage: u003c\/strongu003e65% | Rank: 4u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTree Canopy Coverage: u003c\/strongu003e197 | Rank: 21u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eAverage Yard Square Acreage: u003c\/strongu003e0.5 | Rank: 9u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eNumber of Arboretums u0026amp; Public Gardens: u003c\/strongu003e2 | Rank: 28 (TIE)u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eHistorical Annual Average Precipitation: u003c\/strongu003e4.08 inches | Rank: 81u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLocal tips: u003c\/strongu003eThe University of Georgia at Athens is home to both a Campus Arboretum and the u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/botgarden.uga.edu\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eState Botanical Garden of Georgiau003c\/au003e.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe city is home to a local legend, landmark, and resident \u2014 the \u201cu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.visitathensga.com\/things-to-do\/attractions\/the-tree-that-owns-itself\/u0022u003eTu003c\/au003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.visitathensga.com\/things-to-do\/attractions\/the-tree-that-owns-itself\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eru003c\/au003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/www.visitathensga.com\/things-to-do\/attractions\/the-tree-that-owns-itself\/u0022u003eee That Owns Itselfu003c\/au003e.\u201d Lore claims that this tree has legal ownership of itself and the land within 8ft of the tree\u2019s base.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-planting-zone-is-georgia\/u0022u003eWhat Zone is Georgia for Planting?u003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003ca href=u0022https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/georgia-landscaping-ideas\/u0022u003e7 Georgia Landscaping Ideas for Your Homeu003c\/au003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003ePhoto credit: u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0u0026amp;filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=1u0026amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1u0026amp;k=athens%2C+georgiau0026amp;order=relevanceu0026amp;search_page=1u0026amp;search_type=usertypedu0026amp;acp=u0026amp;aco=athens%2C+georgiau0026amp;get_facets=1u0026amp;asset_id=470027637u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ejacobu003c\/au003e \/ Adobe Stock \/ u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-termsu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eStandardu003c\/au003e\",\"link\":\"\",\"id\":40571}],\"sliderHeight\":500,\"paginationType\":\"bullets\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rankings\">Tree city rankings<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>See how each city fared in our ranking:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:shortcode -->\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 80% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/3e2d4841-92ad-4ecc-9136-5e136265080b?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"LL: Ranking Table - 2025's Top Cities for Tree Huggers\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:shortcode -->\n\n<!-- wp:shortcode -->\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 78.5% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/49db31f9-42f0-4d9d-b0fd-918a910bfdbf?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\" LL: Top  25 Cities for Tree Huggers\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:shortcode -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-insights\">Key insights<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>369 cities<\/strong> in our ranking are part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arborday.org\/our-work\/tree-city-usa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tree City USA<\/a>. <strong>15 cities<\/strong>, including <strong>Columbus, Georgia<\/strong> (No. 2), <strong>Portland, Oregon<\/strong> (No. 19), and <strong>Philadelphia<\/strong> (No. 29), tie for being among the longest-running members, each boasting <strong>over 46 years of recognition<\/strong> by Tree City USA.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Baltimore<\/strong> (No. 31) branches out with the <strong>most Urban Tree Initiatives <\/strong>with the USDA Forest Service, followed by <strong>Philadelphia<\/strong> and <strong>Gainesville, Florida<\/strong> (No. 17). These initiatives include urban forest research projects, tree cultivation training programs, and forest rehabilitation efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Urban desert regions in <strong>Nevada<\/strong>, <strong>New Mexico<\/strong>, <strong>Colorado<\/strong>, and <strong>Arizona<\/strong> score near the bottom, with <strong>less dense urban canopies<\/strong> and <strong>harsh climates<\/strong> making it more difficult and expensive to successfully grow a tree. Some forests are struggling due to <strong>drought and <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.9news.com\/article\/tech\/science\/environment\/warm-dry-2024-colorado-forests\/73-e3fcae3e-5a1c-41a7-942c-6b0e035803c8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>invasive pests<\/strong><\/a>, with the rate of <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcenm.com\/briefs\/state-survey-finds-new-mexico-tree-mortality-doubled-in-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>tree deaths doubling<\/strong><\/a><strong> in New Mexico<\/strong> between 2023 and 2024.&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Humid regions like those in <strong>Tyler, Texas<\/strong> (No. 26), <strong>Georgia<\/strong>, and the coastal regions of <strong>Virginia<\/strong> have the <strong>best climate<\/strong> for trees to grow without being <strong>significantly impacted by drought or freezing temperatures<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>New York<\/strong> (No. 7) has the <strong>most arboretums<\/strong> and public gardens, <strong>16<\/strong> recognized by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgci.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Botanic Gardens Conservation International<\/a>, followed by <strong>Washington, D.C.<\/strong> (No. 42) and <strong>Cincinnati<\/strong> (No. 11).<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Dallas<\/strong> (No. 44) has the <strong>most tree maintenance services<\/strong>, <strong>433<\/strong>, followed by <strong>San Antonio<\/strong> (No. 48).\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<h2 id=\"ask-the-experts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n<!-- wp:acf\/experts {\"name\":\"acf\/experts\",\"data\":{\"heading\":\"Expert take\",\"_heading\":\"field_64be8184d09a0\",\"intro_content\":\"Having a robust backyard tree canopy comes with a plethora of benefits \u2014 including an u003ca href=u0022https:\/\/vibrantcitieslab.com\/research\/economic-development-property-values-impact\/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eincrease of up to 15%u003c\/au003e in property value.rnrnWe turned to a panel of tree experts to learn more about conserving canopies and for some tree care advice. Climb through their insights below.rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eHow can regular folks \u2014 including apartment dwellers \u2014 advocate for trees in their area?u003c\/liu003ern tu003cliu003eWhat are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?u003c\/liu003ern tu003cliu003eWhat are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?u003c\/liu003ern tu003cliu003eWhat advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors (e.g., tree branches landing on the other side of the fence)?u003c\/liu003ernu003c\/olu003e\",\"_intro_content\":\"field_5f30b1a629fd2\",\"experts_0_name\":\"Rajan Parajuli, Ph.D., | Meredith Martin, Ph.D, | Gary Blank, Ph.D.\",\"_experts_0_name\":\"field_5f30b14f153bf\",\"experts_0_credentials\":\"Associate Professors and Professor\",\"_experts_0_credentials\":\"field_5fc58f79beaff\",\"experts_0_department\":\"North Carolina State University, College of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources\",\"_experts_0_department\":\"field_5f30b160153c0\",\"experts_0_photo\":40572,\"_experts_0_photo\":\"field_5f30b174153c1\",\"experts_0_featured_question\":\"\",\"_experts_0_featured_question\":\"field_5fbfc5176bc57\",\"experts_0_answer_excerpt\":\"\",\"_experts_0_answer_excerpt\":\"field_5fbfc53d6bc58\",\"experts_0_questions_answers\":\"u003cstrongu003eHow can regular folks \u2014 including apartment dwellers \u2014 advocate for trees in their area?u003c\/strongu003ernrnShowing their strong preference for well-managed trees and greening around their apartment complex is one option. Different organizations also offer tree giveaway programs and tree planting events that might be available depending on your area.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?u003c\/strongu003ernrnOne common issue is damage to tree roots, either through soil compaction too close to the tree or cutting roots during construction or utility ditching. Oversalting in the winter can also damage trees, as can over-trimming or over-pruning trees.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?u003c\/strongu003ernrnThis is hard because it is so regionally dependent! In the east and midwest, white oak is an iconic species that is hugely important for wildlife and is also economically and culturally important. Maple species, red maple and sugar maple, provide beautiful fall colors and are also quite iconic in landscapes across their range in the eastern U.S.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors (e.g., tree branches landing on the other side of the fence)?u003c\/strongu003ernrnWhile over-pruning can damage trees unintentionally, regular tree maintenance and proper pruning can help avoid this type of conflict. People may also want to carefully consider species and site selection when planting new trees to try to avoid this issue (i.e. smaller ornamentals may be better suited to locations closer to the property edge or under power lines, etc, whereas larger canopy trees should have plenty of room to spread.)\",\"_experts_0_questions_answers\":\"field_5f30b17e153c2\",\"experts_1_name\":\"Lauren Grand\",\"_experts_1_name\":\"field_5f30b14f153bf\",\"experts_1_credentials\":\"Associate Professor of Practice\",\"_experts_1_credentials\":\"field_5fc58f79beaff\",\"experts_1_department\":\"Oregon State University\",\"_experts_1_department\":\"field_5f30b160153c0\",\"experts_1_photo\":40573,\"_experts_1_photo\":\"field_5f30b174153c1\",\"experts_1_featured_question\":\"\",\"_experts_1_featured_question\":\"field_5fbfc5176bc57\",\"experts_1_answer_excerpt\":\"\",\"_experts_1_answer_excerpt\":\"field_5fbfc53d6bc58\",\"experts_1_questions_answers\":\"u003cstrongu003eHow can regular folks\u2014including apartment dwellers\u2014advocate for trees in their area?u003c\/strongu003ernrnYou don\u2019t have to own land to make a difference for trees in your community. One way to help is by voting for local leaders who prioritize urban tree programs and green spaces. You can also get involved by volunteering with community organizations that plant and care for trees in parks, neighborhoods, and other public spaces. Even small efforts, like supporting tree-friendly policies or spreading awareness, can help make your area greener and healthier.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?u003c\/strongu003ernrnMost tree damage isn\u2019t caused by bad intentions\u2014just a lack of awareness. One big mistake is compacting or damaging the roots, whether by parking cars on them, adding too much heavy soil, or even just constant foot traffic. Construction near trees can also be a problem, as digging and grading can disturb the root system. Another issue is altering the natural water flow, which can drown the tree or leave it struggling for moisture. These stress trees and make them more vulnerable to disease, pests, and decline.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?u003c\/strongu003ernrnAmerica is home to some truly legendary trees! The coastal redwood takes the title of the tallest tree in the world, towering over 300 feet high. The bristlecone pine is the oldest tree, with some living over 4,000 years. And a personal favorite, the sugar pine, holds the record for the longest pine cone, stretching up to two feet long! These trees are not just impressive, but they also play vital roles in their ecosystems.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors?u003c\/strongu003ernrnThe best approach to any tree dispute is open and respectful communication. Start by talking with your neighbor to find common ground and work toward a solution together. It also helps to understand local tree ordinances so you know your rights and responsibilities. If your neighbor owns the tree, offering support\u2014whether that\u2019s sharing maintenance costs or helping with cleanup\u2014can go a long way in keeping the conversation positive and productive.\",\"_experts_1_questions_answers\":\"field_5f30b17e153c2\",\"experts_2_name\":\"Ram Adhikari, PhD\",\"_experts_2_name\":\"field_5f30b14f153bf\",\"experts_2_credentials\":\"Assistant Professor\",\"_experts_2_credentials\":\"field_5fc58f79beaff\",\"experts_2_department\":\"Mississippi State University, College of Forest Resources\",\"_experts_2_department\":\"field_5f30b160153c0\",\"experts_2_photo\":40574,\"_experts_2_photo\":\"field_5f30b174153c1\",\"experts_2_featured_question\":\"\",\"_experts_2_featured_question\":\"field_5fbfc5176bc57\",\"experts_2_answer_excerpt\":\"\",\"_experts_2_answer_excerpt\":\"field_5fbfc53d6bc58\",\"experts_2_questions_answers\":\"u003cstrongu003eHow can regular folks \u2014 including apartment dwellers \u2014 advocate for trees in their area?u003c\/strongu003ernrnThey can demand that city officials establish more public parks and gardens in their cities. People should purchase houses in areas with high tree coverage so that real estate developers feel the importance of the natural environment around their developed sites. People should teach their children about the importance of trees.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat are three common ways people unintentionally harm or kill trees?u003c\/strongu003ernrnPeople can transport harmful insects and diseases from one area to another area where healthy trees exist. People can convert mixed-species forestlands to a monoculture, which are very susceptible to pests, diseases, and other extreme climate events. Development projects can change the soil and water conditions which can be harmful to existing trees. These projects usually either increase water flow or decrease soil moisture.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat are three iconic trees decorating the American landscape that everyone should know?u003c\/strongu003ernrnThey are red maple, loblolly pine, and Douglas fir.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat advice would you give homeowners looking to resolve a tree-related dispute with their neighbors (e.g., tree branches landing on the other side of the fence)?u003c\/strongu003ernrnRather than going to court, I always encourage both parties to settle it via negotiation. The beneficial party should pay the affected party. The court or any other local authority should encourage a mutual settlement in such cases.u003cstrongu003eDallasu003c\/strongu003e (No. 44) has the u003cstrongu003emost tree maintenance servicesu003c\/strongu003e, u003cstrongu003e433u003c\/strongu003e, followed by u003cstrongu003eSan Antoniou003c\/strongu003e (No. 48).\",\"_experts_2_questions_answers\":\"field_5f30b17e153c2\",\"experts\":3,\"_experts\":\"field_5f30b0cb153be\"},\"mode\":\"edit\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"city-trees-usa\">City of Trees, USA: What\u2019s in a name?<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:shortcode -->\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"b3322c8e-ec16-41ee-a3c5-93f090fc3f47\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tree Huggers - City of Trees, USA\"><\/div><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>\n<!-- \/wp:shortcode -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"metric-highlights\">Urban tree canopy metric highlights<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:shortcode -->\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"47a6bb8c-08aa-481c-be8f-c5bd734967d4\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tree Huggers - Tree Canopy Metric Highlights\"><\/div><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>\n<!-- \/wp:shortcode -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\">Behind the ranking<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Top Cities for Tree Huggers. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 3 categories: Tree Canopy, Urban Tree Infrastructure, and Climate. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For each of the 500 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table. We eliminated 32 cities \u2014 including Houston, San Diego, Jacksonville, and Tucson \u2014 lacking sufficient data in a single category, resulting in a final sample size of 468 cities.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city\u2019s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked \u201cBest\u201d (No. 1) and the lowest \u201cWorst\u201d (No. 468).<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Notes:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Tree City USA Commitment is an index based on the length of time a city has been recognized by Tree City, USA.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>We considered the Number of Arboretums &amp; Public Gardens recognized by Botanic Gardens Conservation International, which may not encompass all arboretums within a city.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The \u201cWorst\u201d among individual factors may not be No. 468 due to ties.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:shortcode -->\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 80% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/4a3fbd35-5d8d-42a2-b502-44c8d650fdf1?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\" LL: Methodology Table - 2025's Top Cities for Tree Huggers\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:shortcode -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Almanac, Arbor Day Foundation, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Google, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Native Plant Finder, NCSL, The Real Yellow Pages, Reference USA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency, and U.S. Forest Service<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\">Reciprocal roots: Tree care at home<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Maintaining and growing urban tree canopies can go a long way toward improving community health.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From improving air and water quality, to stormwater management, to lowering energy bills and noise pollution, to beautifying the community, there are numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.org\/en-us\/magazine\/magazine-articles\/tree-planting-human-health-louisville\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">physical<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/news.clemson.edu\/scientists-link-urban-tree-structure-to-mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mental advantages<\/a> for living in a region with dense tree cover.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>\u201cPlanting trees around your home isn\u2019t just about adding beauty \u2014 it can save you money. In the summer, trees provide shade that helps keep your house cool, while in the winter, they act as windbreaks, reducing heating costs.\u201d - Lauren Grand, associate professor at Oregon State University<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It costs an average of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/plant-tree-cost\/\"><strong>$540 to $645<\/strong><\/a> to have a tree planted professionally and an average of <strong>$420<\/strong> for professional <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/tree-trimming-cost\/\">tree trimming<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Find inspiration to plant a tree in your backyard and guides on keeping it healthy below:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arborday.org\/value\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Tree Benefit Calculator<\/a> tool to assess the value of existing or potential tree growth in your neighborhood.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Homeowners in dry regions should opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-drought-tolerant-trees\/\">drought-tolerant trees<\/a>, while hurricane and tornado-prone homeowners should shop for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wind-resistant-trees\/\">wind-resistant trees<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Fill your landscape with stunning <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-flowering-trees\/\">flowering trees<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Watch out for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/signs-of-drought-stress-in-trees\/\">signs of drought stress in trees<\/a> and learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-take-care-of-trees-during-drought\/\">take care of your trees during a drought<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Look out for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/common-pests-that-damage-trees\/\">common pests that damage trees<\/a> like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-how-to-protect-trees-shrubs-from-japanese-beetles\/\">Japanese beetles<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Keep an eye out for deficiencies like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-treat-iron-chlorosis-trees-shrubs\/\">iron chlorosis<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Know when to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/tree-removal-cost\/\">remove a tree<\/a> and how to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-transplant-a-tree\/\">safely transplant a tree<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Schedule a tree inspection to check for any dangerous branches, pest infestations, or other issues that might impact the health of trees on your property.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\"><em>Hire a local Lawn Love crew<\/em><\/a><em> to clear your backyard and make room for growing a forest of your own.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1DAez0eoaXqlbpkyhL553MwV4C0eEHQeRndj6mexkXWs\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution images of cities<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Main photo credit:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/environmental-organization-low-angle-of-vigorous-three-volunteers-planting-tree-and-grinning\/207732414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">zinkevych<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[348],"class_list":["post-40565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-studies","tag-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AdobeStock_207732414-1.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sav Maive","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sav-maive\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40565"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43099,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40565\/revisions\/43099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}