THE LEAFLET

We’re excited to share some news from our partner, the Urban Forestry Division of DDOT. Hear more about their plans for 2022 below.

November is a big month! One of the highlights: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced it is kicking off the 2021-2022 tree planting season with plans to plant several thousand trees across the District to both replace dead or diseased trees and increase the city’s tree canopy.

“Our Urban Foresters are hard at work planting trees across all eight wards,” said Acting DDOT Director Everett Lott. “Installing these new trees greatly benefits our city by not only protecting our air and water resources but also creating a more livable environment for our city residents.”

DDOT’s Urban Forestry Division’s annual planting program begins every Fall and runs through March, where arborists work to fill every possible public tree space with a new tree that’s chosen based on arboriculture best practices and the existing diversity of trees in the neighborhood. This year, DDOT will plant nearly 8,000 trees across the District. DDOT’s goal is to increase DC’s tree canopy to 40% by 2032.

To get involved in this year’s tree planting season, please consider the following options:

• Request a new tree on your street using dc.gov or calling 311.
• For a new yard tree, review the RiverSmart Homes Program with the Department of Energy and Environment and Casey Trees. Residents who’ve already planted a tree at home may be eligible for a rebate through the RiverSmart Homes Program.
• Eager to help support District trees? Check out our tree watering app to find newly-planted trees on your street. Urban Forestry has a new website where you can find maps, apps, and activities to learn about trees in your neighborhood and all across the District.

To learn what trees will be planted on particular streets, please visit DDOT’s tree planting map. To learn more about the type of trees that DDOT plants, please visit the District’s Diverse Canopy Map.