Philadelphia tree advocates report progress on planting, with over 18,000 added in 3 years

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Philadelphia says it’s making progress toward becoming a leafier city.

It’s been three years since the city published the Philly Tree Plan, a roadmap for reversing the trend of tree loss and growing Philadelphia’s tree canopy.

Since then, the city, nonprofits and volunteer groups have planted more than 18,000 new trees and maintained close to double that amount, according to a progress report released Thursday.

“In these three years, we accomplished a tremendous amount, full stop,” said Kiasha Huling, director of Philly Tree Coalition, a group of residents, nonprofits and local government agencies partnering to implement the plan, at an event Thursday announcing the progress. “And we still have a ways to go.”

Between 2008 and 2018, Philadelphia lost 6% of its tree canopy, according to the city. Trees are unequally distributed, with poorer neighborhoods and those that were