NYC Parks street tree planting.
Photo by Malcom Pinckney
NYC planted more than 18,000 trees during fiscal year 2026, the most trees planted in a single fiscal year since 2016, city officials announced on Wednesday.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said the 18,261 new trees are expected to provide additional shade, improve air quality, help reduce flooding and expand greenery throughout the five boroughs.
Most of the trees were planted in neighborhoods vulnerable to extreme heat as the city works toward a goal of reaching 30% tree canopy coverage by 2040 under its Urban Forest Plan.
“Our administration is building a city where every neighborhood can find cool shade on a hot day, breathe clean air and enjoy the beauty of a healthy tree canopy,” Mamdani said. “Access to green space and relief from extreme heat should not depend on your ZIP code. Planting more trees, especially in the neighborhoods that need them most, will help make our city cooler, healthier and more beautiful for all New Yorkers.”
Carrying a NYC Parks tree.Daniel Avila/NYC Parks
The parks department said it changed its approach to tree planting this year by starting preparations earlier. The agencies worked with nurseries to increase the supply of trees before planting season and harvested many trees before they began budding in the spring.
The department also kept newly planted trees watered and mulched throughout the summer. Parks officials said the same strategy will be used ahead of this fall’s planting season.
“New Yorkers rely on our trees to provide vital shade, and with climate change leading to more frequent, intense heat, the need is more prevalent than ever,” NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said. “Our team of expert foresters and arborists is putting NYC Parks at the cutting edge of urban forestry, helping us plant smarter and target the neighborhoods that need shade and relief from extreme heat the most.”
New York City endured a summer of extreme weather, from torrential rain that flooded streets, disrupted subway service and damaged properties across the five boroughs to heat waves that prompted the mayor to sign an executive order outlining heat-safety guidance for workers.
Shimamura said NYC Parks is taking action to strengthen the city’s climate resilience, in part by planting the most trees in a decade.
“This record-breaking year shows NYC Parks is facing the challenge of climate resiliency head on, keeping New York livable and prepared across every borough,” she said.
Where are the trees located?
There are more than 7 million trees in NYC, spanning over 100 species. The majority of the City’s new trees were planted in neighborhoods vulnerable to extreme heat, including:
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
More information about NYC trees is at nycgovparks.org.