Des Moines, Iowa’s urban forest, 2021
| Authors: | Thomas Goff, Tivon Feeley, Emma Hanigan, Shane McQuillan, Sjana Schanning |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Resource Bulletin |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-RB-140 |
| Source: | FS |
Abstract
A 2021 analysis of the urban forest in Des Moines, Iowa, reveals that this area has an estimated 2.5 million live trees across all ownerships. The most common tree species by number are American elm, green ash, and boxelder. Trees in Des Moines are estimated to store about 466,000 tons of carbon (1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide [CO2]) valued at $79.5 million. In addition, it is estimated that these trees remove about 12,000 tons of carbon per year (or 44,000 tons CO2 per year, valued at $2.1 million, an amount roughly equivalent to the annual emissions associated with 8,700 passenger vehicles or energy usage by 4,800 homes [Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, U.S. EPA 2020]) and about 382 tons of air pollution per year (valued at $4.0 million per year). Des Moines’ urban forest is estimated to reduce annual energy costs of residential buildings by $825 thousand annually. The overall compensatory value of the urban forest is estimated at $1.3 billion. Compensatory value describes the replacement value of trees as a structural asset, which tends to increase with the size and health of the tree. The information presented in this report may be used to support urban forest management programs and to inform policy and planning to improve environmental quality and human health in Des Moines. The analysis also provides a basis for monitoring changes in the urban forest over time.