Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura today announced that the City planted 18,261 trees in fiscal year 2026, the most in a single fiscal year since 2016.
The new trees will bring cleaner air, cooler streets, greater flood resiliency and more greenery to neighborhoods across the five boroughs, with the majority planted in communities most vulnerable to extreme heat. This record-setting year reflects an aggressive new approach by NYC Parks to accelerate tree planting and expand the city's tree canopy, advancing the goals of the Urban Forest Plan to reach 30% canopy coverage by 2040.
To plant more trees, NYC Parks started earlier. The agency partnered with nurseries to build a larger supply of trees before planting season, harvested many trees before spring bud-break and kept newly planted trees watered and mulched throughout the summer. NYC Parks will use the same strategy to get ahead of this fall's planting season.
"Our administration is building a city where every neighborhood can find cool shade on a hot day, breathe clean air and enjoy the beauty of a healthy tree canopy," said Mayor Mamdani. "Access to green space and relief from extreme heat should not depend on your ZIP code. Planting more trees, especially in the neighborhoods that need them most, will help make our city cooler, healthier and more beautiful for all New Yorkers."
"New Yorkers rely on our trees to provide vital shade, and with climate change leading to more frequent, intense heat, the need is more prevalent than ever," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "Our team of expert foresters and arborists is putting NYC Parks at the cutting edge of urban forestry, helping us plant smarter and target the neighborhoods that need shade and relief from extreme heat the most. This record-breaking year shows NYC Parks is facing the challenge of climate resiliency head on, keeping New York livable and prepared across every borough."
"Every New Yorker, no matter their ZIP code, deserves access to the critical benefits trees provide," said Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. "With the Urban Forest Plan as our roadmap, NYC is planting more trees, especially in the neighborhoods that need more shade and tree canopy the most, for a healthier and more resilient New York."
The majority of the City's new trees were planted in neighborhoods vulnerable to extreme heat, including:
The Bronx: Williamsbridge, Woodlawn, Eastchester, Edenwald, Soundview, Morris Park, Concourse Village, Morrisania and Mott Haven
Brooklyn: Seagate, Coney Island, East Flatbush, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Flatlands, Sunset Park, East New York and Brownsville
Manhattan: West Harlem, East Harlem, Lower East Side, Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights
Queens: Hunters Point, Sunnyside, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Laurelton, St. Albans, South Ozone Park, Queens Village and Cambria Heights
New York City is home to more than 7 million trees spanning more than 100 species. New Yorkers can help keep the city's trees healthy by signing up for stewardship events through NYC Parks, watering neighborhood trees weekly and weeding unwanted plants from tree beds - young trees are extra thirsty!
New Yorkers can also record tree care activities through the NYC Tree Map.
