Urban Forests: Growing Green in D.C.
- Izzy Lubinsky
- Jan 24
- 5 min read
As Washington, D.C. expands, the battle against rising temperatures and urban flooding is being fought from the treetops. Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick, an urban ecologist at the University of the District of Columbia, is leading the charge to understand why some city trees thrive while others falter. From the lush depths of Rock Creek Park to the heat-stressed streets of Ivy City, this article explores the vital link between tree canopy health, ecological equity, and the District’s ambitious goal for a cooler, more resilient future.
As cities expand upwards and outwards, it can seem like nature is being pushed to the margins. Rising temperatures, rapid development, and the replacement of vegetation with asphalt and concrete have resulted in urban landscapes that are warmer, more flood-prone, and less hospitable for their residents. Yet for Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick, an Associate Professor at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), ecology and urbanization don’t have to be at odds. Russo-Petrick began her scientific studies in wildlife and habitat ecology before turning her attention to cities, completing a PhD on urban ecology in Toledo, Ohio at Bowling Green State University. Her research now centers on urban tree canopy health in Washington, D.C.
Studying urban forests is a critical component of developing resilient, liveable cities. As climate change accelerates, heat waves and major flooding events have become more frequent and severe. Urban trees can absorb stormwater, filter pollutants, cool neighborhoods, and promote biodiversity. However, these benefits can only be applied when urban trees are prospering. This is where Russo-Petrick’s research becomes vital.
Measuring the Health of Urban Forests
Russo-Petrick’s work is centered on understanding what makes some trees thrive in urban ecosystems while others struggle. Her team spends the majority of their time in the field, taking visual assessments of canopy success. Russo-Petrick explains that much of the work is “looking at the tree canopy and leaf condition, like how damaged are the leaves” or whether discoloration is present during the growing season.
Her team has been studying the health of oak trees across Washington, D.C. Their analysis highlights the higher success rate of trees planted in forested areas like Rock Creek Park when compared to those on city streets. Age also influences tree health - they found that older, larger trees were more susceptible to decline.
Understanding the Urban Canopy
In addition to her academic research, Russo-Petrick led the effort to earn Tree Campus Certification for UDC, a national certification that recognizes higher education programs with a dedication to a greener future. Awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation, Colleges and universities with a Tree Campus Certification must adhere to five standards, including: maintaining a tree campus advisory committee of students, faculty, and staff, developing a campus tree care plan, investing annually in this plan, observing Arbor Day (or another tree celebration), and engaging students in a tree-focused service learning project. Currently, UDC and American University are the only two higher education institutions in D.C. with this certification.
Using Geographic Information System (GIS, a software that analyzes and displays geographic information), Russo-Petrick was able to create a complete inventory of every tree on campus, with particular attention to the trees needing pruning or removal. The mapping work, done through the GIS program ArcGIS Online, helps support the city’s overarching goal of 40 percent canopy coverage. “The tree cover and amount of vegetation is really good for a larger city,” Russo-Petrick says, as the current coverage sits around 36 percent.
This inventory promotes the planting of oaks, maples, and other local species while simultaneously removing harmful plants like English ivy and invasive tree species. Encouraging the planting of native species supports regional biodiversity and habitat resilience.
Ecological Equity
While D.C. boasts an impressive urban canopy, this distribution isn’t constant. Wards 6 and 8 show lower tree density and health compared with areas like Wards 3 and 4, which contain many of the more affluent neighborhoods in the city. As Russo-Petrick states, “it’s not like a one-to-one with what areas are more financially well off, but there were definitely differences depending on where in the city they were.”
For Russo-Petrick and many other city dwellers, urban forestry isn’t just about ecology - it’s about community well-being. “Trees help provide oxygen and they reduce the carbon dioxide in the environment,” Russo-Petrick emphasizes, “they also provide habitat for a lot of wildlife.” Urban trees also contribute to the aesthetic beauty of a neighborhood, which improves both the mental and physical health of the residents.
Trees can play a vital role in reducing the urban heat island effect, which occurs when dense concentrations of pavement and buildings absorb heat. By increasing natural surfaces, such as vegetation and green infrastructure, cities can mitigate the heat island effect. What’s more, higher canopy density can reduce pollution and stormwater runoff. As Russo-Petrick explains, the “rain water gets caught in the leaves and also can be absorbed by the soil,” meaning that areas with higher concentrations of trees have reduced threats of flooding and runoff of chemicals. Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) is a type of stormwater management that links the water cycle to urban vegetation, such as green roofs or permeable pavements. This network of natural and designed spaces reduces flood risk, manages stormwater runoff, and improves community wellbeing.
Neighborhoods such as Ivy City, which experiences temperatures 10-20 degrees hotter than other areas of D.C., are targets for climate resilience projects focused on increasing the tree canopy. The Ivy City Climate Resilience Strategy led by the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) outlines concept designs for streets, open spaces, flood and heat plans that reduce the urban heat island effect and incorporate BGI.
The Future of Urban Ecology
Looking ahead, shifts in temperature and precipitation will stress species not adapted to the changing climate. That’s “why we want to figure out what’s harming these trees now, so we can prevent issues in the future,” Russo-Petrick says. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic. “D.C. has really prioritized increasing the tree canopy,” she notes. With thoughtful management from people like Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick alongside public engagement, it’s possible to create resilient cities that support their residents and the nature that sustains them.
To get involved with urban tree health in D.C., individuals can participate in planting events through Casey Trees or care for local trees using the DC tree watering app which highlights which trees in the district are in need of care. Finally, the Ivy City Climate Resilience Strategy is open for public comment until January 19, 2026, which gives D.C. residents the opportunity to share their resilience vision and goals for a more sustainable future.
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