Washington, DC's urban forest, 2018

Abstract

A 2018 analysis of the urban forest in Washington, DC reveals that this area has an estimated 2 million live trees across all ownerships. The most common tree species by number are American beech, red maple, American holly, yellow-poplar, and American elm. Trees in Washington, DC are estimated to store about 487,163 tons of carbon (1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide [CO₂]) valued at $83.1 million. In addition, it is estimated that these trees remove about 15,000 tons of carbon per year (or 55,000 tons CO₂ per year, valued at $2.6 million per year, an amount roughly equivalent to the annual emissions associated with 10,900 passenger vehicles or energy usage by 6,000 homes [Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, U.S. EPA 2020]) and about 318 tons of air pollution per year (valued at $11.2 million per year). Washington, DC’s urban forest is estimated to reduce annual energy costs of residential buildings by $4.2 million per year. The overall compensatory value of the urban forest is estimated at $2.1 billion. Compensatory value describes the replacement value of trees as a structural asset, which tends to increase with trees’ size and health. The information presented in this report can be used to support urban forest management programs and to inform policy and planning to improve environmental quality and human health in Washington, DC. The analysis also provides a basis for monitoring changes in the urban forest over time.

Citation

Sonti, Nancy F.; Yturralde, Kasey; Eutsler, Earl; Herrick, Christina; Hoehn, Robert E., III; Jennings, Katie; Lepine, Lucie C. 2025. Washington, DC's urban forest, 2018. Resource Bulletin NRS-137. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 102 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-RB-137.