Tree Decline in Savannah Sparks Urgent Call to Action for Urban Forest Restoration

Tree Trouble in Savannah: Canopy Loss Raises Alarm

Ah, Savannah! Known for its charming cobblestone streets, historic squares, and, of course, its breathtaking live oaks. The city has proudly held the title of “Tree City USA” since 1985, celebrating its lush urban forest that has stood tall for nearly a century. These majestic trees have been part of the fabric of Savannah for generations, some even planted over a hundred years ago. However, recent reports suggest a concerning trend: Savannah’s tree canopy is in decline.

The Stark Reality of Canopy Loss

At a recent “State of the Trees” event, experts revealed some troubling data about Chatham County’s dwindling tree population. Research conducted by Georgia Tech professor Tony Giarrusso shows that the area has been losing its cherished canopy since at least 2010. Over a span of nine years from 2010 to 2019, the county experienced around a 1% decline in tree cover. To make matters worse, more recent estimates indicate that from 2017 to 2023, Chatham County has lost approximately 5,000 acres of its tree canopy. That’s almost equal to losing 6,000 Savannah squares!

“Everybody knows we’re losing trees, right?” shared Zoe Rinker, Executive Director of the Savannah Tree Foundation. “You can drive down any road in Savannah and see that.”

Why Are Trees Disappearing?

So what’s causing this dramatic reduction in trees? According to Giarrusso’s findings, the primary culprit lies in the region’s growth. As Savannah and the surrounding areas expand, industrial, commercial, and residential developments have taken over vast amounts of land once occupied by beautiful trees. Giarrusso illustrated his findings during the event with satellite images showcasing areas once awash in deep greens that are now replaced by warehouses and apartment complexes. In all, around 1,300 acres of tree cover were cleared for new developments, which is no small number.

Why We Should Care

Why should we care about the trees, you ask? Well, trees are not just pretty to look at; they play crucial roles in our environment. “Trees have real benefits in Chatham beyond being beautiful and adding to our character,” Rinker emphasized. They help capture carbon, improve air quality, and keep our home cool during sweltering summer temperatures. The impact of losing trees extends to how comfortable we feel outside and even our overall health.

A Collective Response

At the State of the Trees event, local leaders congregated to brainstorm solutions and promote awareness of the ongoing challenges to our urban forest. It was clear there’s a strong will among organizations to collaborate on restoring the canopy. As outlined by Rinker, the Savannah Tree Foundation is stepping up its game—expanding its budget six-fold over the past five years to foster tree preservation and planting.

Chatham County is revamping its tree commission and is in the process of drafting an urban forest master plan. In the meantime, the city of Savannah is hard at work on its own comprehensive urban forest management plan, which kicked off with an ongoing tree inventory started in 2022. According to Scott DeArmey, the city’s Assistant Director for Urban Forestry, the full inventory of Savannah’s trees is expected to wrap up by 2027.

Looking Ahead: Trees, Trees, and More Trees

The Savannah Tree Foundation is boldly aiming to add 4,200 trees each year by 2030, having already ramped up its plantings from 300 trees in 2020 to nearly 3,000 in 2023. With initiatives like a home planting program and a new outdoor nursery, they hope to fill the gaps left by municipalities that can only plant on public land. The organization has also secured a generous $1 million Trees Across Georgia grant to create the very first Chatham County Canopy Corps, a fellowship program focused on tree care and urban forestry.

As the Savannah community rallies around this cause, there’s hope that our beloved oaks and urban forest will thrive once again. If you’re living in the midtown or eastside neighborhoods, Rinker assures, “trees are coming!” It’s time for all of us to support this greenery boom and ensure that Savannah retains its beautiful, leafy crown for generations to come.