TAMPA, Fla. —The city of Tampa is rethinking how it manages and expands its urban tree canopy following new research from the University of South Florida (USF).
USF’s recommendations focus on both recovery and long-term resilience. Among the key proposals:
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Reorganizing tree management systems through updates to city programs, policies, and codes
Planting more trees across Tampa to regain lost canopy
Adopting a “right tree, right place” approach, selecting species based on size, location, and wind resistance
Increasing tree diversity to reduce vulnerability to disease and storm damage
The study, presented at a recent city council workshop, highlights the impact of recent hurricanes and outlines steps to better protect the city’s trees in the future.
According to USF researchers, hurricanes Helene and Milton significantly affected Tampa’s tree canopy, reducing overall coverage by about 5%. That loss effectively erased roughly four years of progress in the city’s ongoing efforts to expand its urban greenery.
While no immediate policy changes are expected, city leaders are signaling that priorities could shift in the coming years as they work to rebuild and strengthen the canopy.
Dr. Shawn Landry of USF’s School of Geosciences emphasized the importance of diversifying Tampa’s tree population.
“We have a lot of live oaks. If a disease comes through that affects live oaks, then we are in trouble,” Landry said. “I love live oaks, but we have to think about diversity.”
Live oaks have long been a defining feature of Tampa’s landscape, but experts warn that relying too heavily on a single species could pose risks in the future.
The city isn’t starting from scratch. Tampa has already launched 11 projects aimed at expanding its tree canopy as part of its ReLeaf program, which began in June 2024.
These projects are expected to plant more than 3,000 trees across the city. Plans include smaller “Level 3” trees in dense urban areas like Ybor City, downtown, and West Tampa and larger “Type 2 and 3” trees in other neighborhoods where space allows
While planting trees is a visible step forward, maintaining them over time presents a more complex challenge. Tree care can be costly over a tree’s lifespan, and city officials are still evaluating how to fund long-term maintenance programs.
Tampa does offer some support to residents through its long-running “Tree-Mendous” program. Since 1997, homeowners have been able to request free tree plantings in the public right-of-way near their properties.
For now, Tampa is in a planning phase—reviewing recommendations, weighing costs, and considering how best to adapt after recent storm damage. While no immediate changes are in place, the study could shape how the city grows and protects its tree canopy for decades to come.