NEW YORK (PIX11)– Trees in the city get a lot of attention, and not only because they add to the landscape.

The New York City Parks Department, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the City Council have committed to planting more trees and mapping the need across the five boroughs, citing the benefits that tree canopy provides to neighborhood health and quality of life.

 Discover more local reporting on our homepage 

Fall is one of the busiest seasons for tree planting. While colorful leaves often steal the spotlight, the season is also critical for establishing new trees and strengthening urban forests.

The Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to planting trees, is partnering with volunteers and the New York City Parks Department on projects throughout the city this year.

At Tompkins Square Park on Tuesday, employees from an event planning firm joined volunteers to plant trees.

Nya participated for the first time.

“I personally love being outside in the fall, seeing the seasons change. It’s so beautiful, and green space is so super important,” she said.

Alyssa, who lives nearby in the East Village, said the project gives her an opportunity to make a lasting impact in her neighborhood.

“For many years to come, I will walk by and see the trees that I planted and know I made a difference in the community,” Alyssa said.

The work is part of New York City’s new Urban Forest Plan.

 Make PIX11 your preferred news source on Google: Here’s how 

“We work hard to find the right tree at the right place at the right time,” said James Kaechele of the New York City Parks Department.

The Parks Department, the Mamdani administration and the City Council have funded programs aimed at increasing tree coverage in neighborhoods with fewer trees.

City officials say they are prioritizing heat-vulnerable communities, which often have lower tree canopy coverage and higher rates of asthma and heart disease. In previous years, residents could request street trees individually. The city has now shifted to a more targeted planting strategy.

NYC Parks planted more than 18,000 trees during Fiscal Year 2026.

Officials say the new approach allows crews to focus on larger geographic areas while taking advantage of a larger supply of available trees. Residents are encouraged to contact 311 to report issues involving trees or request assistance.

“Trees are not just cleaning the air and giving oxygen. They help mitigate the urban heat island effect. When folks are paying an electric bill in the summer, having shade from a tree can make a difference,” Kaechele said.

 Discover more local reporting on our homepage 

According to the city, most of the newly planted trees were located in neighborhoods vulnerable to extreme heat, including:

The Bronx

Williamsbridge, Woodlawn, Eastchester, Edenwald, Soundview, Morris Park, Concourse Village, Morrisania and Mott Haven.

Brooklyn

Seagate, Coney Island, East Flatbush, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Flatlands, Sunset Park, East New York and Brownsville.

Manhattan

West Harlem, East Harlem, Lower East Side, Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights.

Queens

Hunters Point, Sunnyside, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Laurelton, St. Albans, South Ozone Park, Queens Village and Cambria Heights.

City officials say research and data will continue to guide current and future projects. Tree planting will continue through the fall before resuming again in the spring.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.