NYC Tree Census

Authors

Sahil Sanjay Chavan (sc5592)

Sharvay Shashikant Chavan (sc5593)

Published

December 13, 2024

1 Introduction

Trees are essential to urban ecosystems, providing critical benefits such as air purification, temperature regulation, storm-water management, and enhanced biodiversity. Their canopies mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce energy consumption, and offer habitats for wildlife while improving mental well-being and fostering community cohesion. Recognizing these contributions, this project leverages NYC’s 2015 tree census data, a comprehensive inventory of over 666,000 street trees, to analyze their distribution, health, and impact. The dataset serves as a foundation for assessing the state of the urban forest, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies for sustainable urban forestry management.

Expected Outcomes: Key Areas of Exploration

This extensive dataset serves as a critical resource for understanding the composition and condition of New York City’s urban forest. This dataset provides a unique opportunity to explore several key areas:

  • Tree Health and Environmental Impact:
    Investigate factors affecting tree health and their relationship to size and location.

  • Infrastructure Interaction:
    Explore the impact of tree placement on sidewalk damage and other infrastructure issues.

  • Community Engagement:
    Assess how Stewardship activities influence tree health and urban forestry.

  • Urban Planning and Spatial Trends:
    Analyze tree distribution and species diversity across boroughs and neighborhoods.

  • Tree Vulnerability:
    Identify common issues affecting tree trunks, branches, and roots, and their locations.

  • Biodiversity Analysis:
    Evaluate the diversity of NYC’s tree population and its implications for urban forestry.

  • Temporal Insights:
    Examine patterns in tree mapping and their significance for urban forest management.

  • Climate Adaptation:
    Determine which tree species are best suited for NYC’s urban environment.

Our project aims to analyze these aspects, leveraging this rich dataset to derive actionable insights for urban forestry management