Why does urban tree canopy matter more than ever?

By the end of the century, average urban heatwaves are projected to be up to 6°C warmer (5).

Studies shows that greening an area can reduce local land surface temperatures by up to 6°C (19).

In addition to protecting cities from extreme heat, urban tree canopy plays a critical role in improving air quality, reducing energy consumption and enhancing liveability.

Yet despite its benefits, tree canopy is not consistently valued, protected, or expanded. While urban forests are increasingly recognised as a valuable nature-based solution to address climate change and broader social-environmental challenges in cities, their integration can sometimes conflict with other climate initiatives such as urban densification. This may create conditions that are less conducive to tree growth and may potentially lead to tree stress, decline, or loss (7).

Expanding urban tree canopy can substantially mitigate heat-related health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults and low-income communities. While urban green infrastructure is increasingly recognised for its role in supporting climate adaptation, the benefits of tree canopy extend further and can involve measurable economic, social, and environmental outcomes (12). These include increased property values, improved urban biodiversity and the reduction of stormwater runoff. All of these contribute to more resilient and liveable cities.

Despite this, tree canopy coverage across many Australian cities is in decline. The tension between urban consolidation, housing demand and green infrastructure is intensifying. The result impacts tree canopy cover. So where does that leave us?

(In some leafy areas such as this one in Melbourne’s east, housing developments have reduced the space available for urban tree canopy. Image: Google Maps)

Are we heading in the right direction?

Across Australia, local governments are setting canopy targets. For example, Sydney aims for 40% cover by 2036 (13), Melbourne has set an ambitious 40% by 2040 (8) and Brisbane’s current target is 50% by 2031. These goals reflect a growing political will to green our cities. However, achieving these goals is complex as urban tree canopy cover in Australian cities faces significant pressures. In many areas, a noticeable decline is evident (2).

In practice, much of the effort to green Australian cities is being driven by local councils. Initiatives can include detailed urban forest strategies, street tree master plans, street tree programs, incentives for private greening and data-driven monitoring tools such as canopy mapping and urban heat modelling. Councils like City of Sydney (11), Camden Council (6) and Blacktown Council (4) have introduced frameworks that include not only planting targets but biodiversity goals, equity mapping, and community engagement programs. The Committee for Sydney’s Nature Positive (12) emphasises a nature-positive, Country-centred design approach to integrate nature into the city and embed the vision of a biophilic city.

Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy (8) has been widely celebrated for combining resilience with design and for focusing on species diversity and public engagement. Some councils like City of Parramatta (10) utilise interactive online platforms that enable residents to request street trees or access information about the species planted in their area.

In spite of these initiatives, urban expansion and infill development pose significant threats to established urban forest. The removal of mature trees on private land, combined with the pressure for higher-density housing, increasing demand for infrastructure such as roads and parking, and vandalism all contribute to canopy loss (15). While new planting efforts are underway, their effectiveness is often undermined by inadequate maintenance, inappropriate species selection and the reliance on immature trees that take years to contribute meaningfully to canopy cover (9).

These challenges are further compounded by limited funding, unclear responsibilities between state and local governments and competing priorities such as infrastructure delivery and urban densification. When combined, these factors significantly hinder the ability to offset canopy loss. This is particularly the case if private land tree loss and illegal removals, remain unaddressed. The issue of illegal tree clearing becomes especially urgent where large numbers of mature trees are removed each year despite protective overlays and regulations. This can be particularly problematic in leafy suburbs and can occur without permits or accountability. Motivated by development, views, or concerns over maintenance, these removals often occur quietly and without enforcement. In some LGAs, this has become a pattern while fines are small or rarely pursued and reporting systems are not clear or under-resourced (3; 21).

(Brisbane aims to achieve shade cover of 50 percent by 2031. Image: Brisbane City Council)

More than counting trees

Australia’s urban tree canopy faces a critical era. As climate pressures grow, cities need more than aspirational targets. They require coordinated action that protects existing trees, plants diverse and climate-resilient species and embeds green infrastructure in all scales of urban planning in both private and public land. Urban tree canopy is not a luxury. It delivers public health, climate resilience and social equity. But unless we treat trees as critical assets, protect those we already have and plan for their future, we risk building cities that are hotter, harsher, and far less liveable (18; 20).

The focus on canopy percentage as a headline metric can be misleading. While it offers a clear benchmark, it often overlooks the role of tree health, species diversity and age, and spatial distribution. In addition, private land remains the blind spot in many greening strategies. Councils may plant thousands of trees annually yet see no increase in canopy cover due to losses on private lots, especially as older homes are replaced with larger dwellings with little room for open space. A city may be increasing urban canopy in public parks while losing significant, mature trees across private properties and streets resulting in a decline in overall ecological function (17; 20).

Urban tree management requires a holistic and integrated approach that addresses all contributing factors to canopy loss. In New South Wales, the Greener Neighbourhoods Guide supports councils and their communities in developing strategies and plans to mitigate tree loss and strengthen urban forest management (16).

Protecting and expanding urban tree canopy calls for coordinated action. Stronger policy enforcement with penalties combined with proactive monitoring of unlawful removals and incentives for private land greening through grants, rate reductions or technical support can significantly improve outcomes.

Strategic planting should prioritise low-canopy areas to address urban heat inequity.

Collaboration between councils, state bodies, and utilities can deliver integrated greening strategies.

Embedding canopy planning in infrastructure and public space design, fostering community stewardship, and using consistent, high-resolution data for monitoring will ensure long-term success.

By Behnaz Avazpour, submitted on behalf of Australian Institute of Landscape Architect

References

1. ABC (2025). Brisbane’s shade cover falls short of targets ahead of 2032 Olympics. Accessed on 20 June via https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-13/queensland-brisbane-council-tree-shade-targets/105379756
2. Amati, M., Boruff, B., Caccetta, P., Devereux, D., Kaspar, J., Phelan, K., & Saunders, A. (2017). Where Should All the Trees Go? Investigating the Impact of Tree Canopy Cover on Socio-Economic Status and Wellbeing in LGA’s. Innovation Australia Ltd.: Melbourne, Australia.
3. Andersen, B., King, T., & Issak, I. (2024). Killer in suburbs, ABC News. Accessed on 10 June 2025 via https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-06/trees-killed-vandalism-crime-sydney-castle-cove-council/104041534
4. Blacktown Council. (2023). Biodiversity Strategy 2023 to 2033. Accessed on 8 August 2025 via https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/environment/reports/biostrategyv14110531publicexadopted.pdf
5. Brown, S. J. (2020). Future changes in heatwave severity, duration and frequency due to climate change for the most populous cities. Weather and Climate Extremes, 30, 100278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2020.100278
6. Camden Council. (2023). Urban Forest Strategy. Accessed on 8 August 2025 via https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/assets/Camden-Council-Urban-Forest-Strategy-2023-Low-Res.pdf
7. Cheng, Z., Nesbitt, L., Girling, C., Sheppard, S., Konijnendijk, C., & Nitoslawski, S. (2024). Urban density and the urban forest: How well are cities balancing them in the context of climate change?. Cities, 149, 104962.
8. City of Melbourne (2012), Urban Forest Strategy: Making a great city greener 2012-2032. Accessed on 20 June 2025 via https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/urban-forest-strategy
9. City of Melbourne (2016). The City of Melbourne’s future urban Forest: Identifying vulnerability to future temperatures. Melbourne, Australia: The City of Melbourne.
10. City of Parramatta. (2025). Request a Street Tree. Accessed on 8 August 2025 via https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/environment/trees/tree-planting-program/request-a-street-tree
11. City of Sydney. (2023 ). Urban Forest Strategy. Accessed on 8 August 2025 via https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/strategies-action-plans/urban-forest-strategy
12. Committee for Sydney. (2023). Nature Positive Sydney Valuing Sydney’s Living Infrastructure. Accessed on 8 August 2025 via https://sydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Committee-for-Sydney-Nature-Positive-Sydney-February-2023.pdf
13. DPLH (2018). Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, Better Urban Forest Planning: guide to support the enhancement of urban forests in Western Australia. Western Australian Planning Commission. Access 20 June 2025 via chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2021-05/PRJ_Better_Urban_Forest_Planning.pdf
14. DPIE (2021), NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Greener Neighbourhoods, Accessed on 20 June 2025 via https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/urban-greening/greener-neighbourhoods
15. Egerer, M., Schmack, J. M., Vega, K., Barona, C. O., & Raum, S. (2024). The challenges of urban street trees and how to overcome them. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 6, 1394056.
16. Hopwood, A., Merton, A., Orton, J., Moore, S. (2021). Greener neighbourhoods guide. The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
17. Hurley, J., Saunders, A., Boruff, B., Duncan, J., Knight, G., Amati, M., Sun, C. Caccetta, P. and Chia, J. (2020) Benchmarking Urban Vegetation Cover: Melbourne, Perth Sydney, Clean Air and Urban Landscape Hub, Melbourne, Australia.
18. Mooney, A. (2025). Urban Tree Canopy. The Green by Nature. Accessed on 2 June 2025 via https://greenbynature.com.au/urban-tree-canopy/
19. Ossola, A., Jenerette, G. D., McGrath, A., Chow, W., Hughes, L., & Leishman, M. R. (2021). Small vegetated patches greatly reduce urban surface temperature during a summer heatwave in Adelaide, Australia. Landscape and Urban Planning, 209, 104046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104046
20. Orton, J., Moore, S. (2024). Tree canopy in Greater Sydney, how are we doing? The Fifth State. Mosaic Insight. Accessed on 14 April 2025 via https://thefifthestate.com.au/columns/spinifex/tree-canopy-in-greater-sydney-how-are-we-doing/
21. The Guardian. (2023). Outrageous’ tree vandalism devastates harbourside suburb in Sydney. Accessed on 25 June 2025 via https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/28/woodford-bay-longueville-tree-vandalism-lane-cove-council?CMP=share_btn_url

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