What We Do
Urban Canopy Project
Rebuilding Baltimore’s Urban Forest
Trees are essential infrastructure, as important as roads, water systems, and power grids. However, access to trees and green spaces isn’t evenly distributed across Baltimore’s neighborhoods. This inequality results from decades of redlining, disenfranchisement, and community disinvestment that have left a lasting mark on our city’s green landscape.Â
Baltimore Tree Trust’s Urban Canopy Project works to address tree inequality and climate change effects across Baltimore City, neighborhood by neighborhood. Under our initial Trees for Public Health program, BTT planted trees aimed at addressing ongoing studies by Johns Hopkins University that associated exacerbated symptoms of chronic respiratory illness to higher temperatures and poor air quality.Â
We plant and care for trees to create a more connected, healthy, and green urban space for all residents.
Communities historically denied investment now experience higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect, where areas with less tree cover can be significantly hotter than neighborhoods with more tree cover. This temperature gap directly affects residents’ health, energy costs, and quality of life.Â
Cities with strong, equitably distributed tree networks are cooler, more livable, and more resilient to climate change impacts. By planting and nurturing trees, and managing existing forests and green spaces, we create the foundation for city renewal and vibrant outdoor areas where everyone can live and thrive.
Our Work in Action
Our work directly tackles the stark differences between communities’ canopy cover, air quality, and health benefits. Through neighborhood-scale tree plantings and ongoing caretaking, we aim to increase tree cover and promote equitable access to clean air and green spaces.Â
Snapshot
In 2024, BTT has made a significant impact on Baltimore’s future:
- Over 3,000 trees planted in 84 neighborhoods, including 12 Baltimore City Public Schools.Â
- 6,000 trees maintained under our 2-year warranty, resulting from a 70% survival rate
3,000+ community members engaged through community outreach efforts
Trees Planted In 2024
Trees Maintained
Neighborhoods Planted
%
Survival Rate
How We Do It
At Baltimore Tree Trust, planting a tree is just the beginning. We take a holistic, community-centered approach that ensures every tree we plant has the best chance to survive and thrive for decades to come. From careful site analysis to long-term stewardship, our process combines urban forestry expertise with deep community engagement—because sustainable canopy growth requires both healthy trees and invested neighbors.
Unlike one-and-done planting events, our comprehensive method addresses every factor that influences tree survival: species selection, soil conditions, community buy-in, proper installation, and ongoing maintenance. This is how we achieve higher survival rates and build lasting partnerships with the neighborhoods we serve.
- Site Assessment: We analyze locations to select the best tree species and placement for long-term growth.Â
- Outreach and Education: We connect with residents to build support and share knowledge about tree benefits.Â
- Site Preparation: We ready planting areas to ensure ideal growing conditions.
- Tree Planting: We plant trees following best practices with community participation.Â
- Tree Maintenance: We offer ongoing care, including watering, pruning, and health checks.Â
- Continued Engagement: We stay connected with communities to promote lasting tree stewardship.
Help Us Grow Baltimore's Future
Baltimore Tree Trust is honored to work toward this vision of our city’s future, one tree at a time—but every tree we plant depends on supporters like you. From seedling to shade tree, from planting day to decades of growth, your gift makes it possible to plant Baltimore’s future.
