Arbor Day is approaching — and just like the Lorax, we’re speaking for the trees.

Knoxville’s urban forest covers about 38% of the city, helping cool neighborhoods, filter air + water, reduce noise, and cut energy use. But like many cities, that canopy is under pressure from pests, disease, climate change, and continued city growth.

To protect Knoxville’s trees, the city established an Urban Forest Master Plan in 2024, outlining three main goals:

Work toward increasing Knoxville’s tree canopy to 40% by 2040
Create a higher quality tree canopy with a healthy diversity of native species
Address inequities in tree canopy coverage in historically marginalized neighborhoods

So, how can you help? Get to know the trees in your area via these neighborhood maps. Once you and your local urban forest are acquainted, dig into some of the opportunities for protecting the forest:

Call Knoxville 3-1-1 to report concerns about sick or damaged trees
Volunteer with Trees Knoxville.
Plant a tree on your own property.