We’re excited to announce the release of our 17th annual Tree Report Card! Every year, we grade the overall health of DC’s tree canopy based on its tree coverage, tree health, tree planting, and tree protection from the previous year. In doing so, the Tree Report Card provides a framework each year for our ongoing work to reach 40% tree canopy by 2032.
This year, our Tree Report Card gave the nation’s capital an overall A- for 2024.
Tree Coverage (A-) | Tree Health (A-) | Tree Planting (A+) | Tree Protection (C+)
Last year was a historic year for tree planting. Alongside the city and our partners, we collectively planted over 16,000 trees in the District—the most in at least a decade.
And while tree planting is absolutely essential for growing a community’s canopy, the preservation of existing trees is also vital.
This year’s Tree Report Card highlights our work and partnerships to protect trees throughout their lifecycle. With partners like the City of Hyattsville, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Ward 8 Woods, we’re working to ensure our community’s trees get the care and protection they need at every age.
As you can see, while DC gets exceptional scores in almost every category, there’s room to improve when it comes to tree protection. Mature trees are the backbone of our city’s canopy—providing shade, water and air filtration, and habitat for wildlife. It can take decades for newly planted trees to grow and offer the same benefits.
That’s why Casey Trees continues to push for the Tree Preservation Enhancement Amendment Act of 2025, which would reduce the size threshold for Special trees from 44″ to 25” in circumference, protecting about 20% of our city’s trees and giving younger trees the chance to grow into tomorrow’s biggest canopy providers.
Additionally, we’re working to protect space in DC for future trees to grow. Casey Trees is the only Accredited Land Trust in DC working across the city to conserve green space for trees and people.
The District currently has more impervious surface than tree canopy, and we want that to change. The report card also highlights the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)’s comprehensive restoration activities at Kingman and Heritage Islands, including the removal of invasive species to make way for the planting of nearly 12,000 trees.
That’s just a preview of everything you’ll find in our 2024 report on the state of DC’s trees. Check out the full Tree Report Card at caseytrees.org/trc, and join the movement to protect and grow DC’s urban forest.
