Exploring the Urban Forest: Insights from the NYC Street Tree Census 2015-2016

Unlocking the Urban Forest: A Comprehensive Guide to the NYC Street Tree Census Dataset

The NYC Street Tree Census, conducted as part of TreesCount! 2015-2016, is a comprehensive inventory of 666,134 street trees mapped across 131,488 blocks in New York City. This dataset, which involved over 2,200 volunteers, provides detailed spatial and ecological information about the city's urban forest, supporting urban tree management and environmental planning. The data reveals the ecological and economic benefits of street trees and highlights areas for potential tree planting to enhance the urban canopy.

Data Schema

Field Name Field Description
CensusTract_2010 Census Tract 2010
X X Coordinate
Location Tree Location Description
Diameter Tree Diameter
Council District City Council District
Support_Structure Support Structure Type
Latitude Geographic Latitude
Longitude Geographic Longitude
Address Street Address
Y Y Coordinate
Sidewalk_Condition Condition of Sidewalk
Condition Tree Health Condition
Spc_Common Common Species Name
CensusBlock_2010 Census Block 2010
Region Region Description
Wires Presence of Overhead Wires
BBL Borough-Block-Lot Identifier
Borough NYC Borough
country Country
Spc_Latin Latin Species Name
CB_New Community Board New
City City Name
Community Board_Original Original Community Board
Zip_New New Zip Code
RecordId Record Identifier
Site Site Description
SegmentID Segment Identifier
Species Tree Species
Postcode_Original Original Postcode
NTA_2010 Neighborhood Tabulation Area 2010
BIN Building Identification Number

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Geography

New York City's five boroughs

The NYC Street Tree Census covers the entirety of New York City, mapping 666,134 street trees across 131,488 blocks in all five boroughs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NYC Street Tree Census dataset?
The NYC Street Tree Census is a comprehensive dataset that provides a detailed digital inventory of New York City's street trees, collected through the collaborative effort of thousands of volunteers. It includes data on the species, size, and ecological benefits of over 666,000 street trees across the city, supporting urban forestry management and enhancing community engagement with the urban environment.
What is the history of this dataset?
The NYC Street Tree Census was initiated by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to create a comprehensive inventory of street trees across the city. The first census was conducted in 1995, followed by subsequent counts in 2005 and 2015-2016. The 2015-2016 census, known as TreesCount! 2015, was the largest participatory municipal urban forestry project in U.S. history, involving over 2,200 volunteers. This effort was supported by various partners and sponsors, including corporate and community organizations, utilizing innovative mapping technology for data collection and management.
How often is the data updated?
Sporadically
What is the coverage and what is included in this dataset?
The NYC Street Tree Census dataset offers comprehensive coverage of New York City's urban forest, mapping a total of 666,134 street trees across 131,488 blocks throughout the city. The dataset includes detailed information on the species, size, and ecological benefits of individual trees. It also features data-driven insights such as street tree density, potential for new tree plantings, and the ecological, economic, and social benefits of the city's tree canopy. The dataset supports urban planning and management, providing valuable information for greening initiatives and community engagement. The data is accessible for analysis through the NYC OpenData portal and includes historical data from previous censuses in 1995 and 2005, allowing for comparative studies and long-term urban forest management strategies.
Why is the NYC Street Tree Census dataset valuable?
The NYC Street Tree Census dataset is valuable because it provides a comprehensive and accurate inventory of street trees in New York City, enabling effective urban forest management, ecological assessment, and community engagement in green initiatives.
How do I join this dataset with other datasets?
You can use Placekey's Join Dataset Tool, here!

Dataset at a glance

Dataset Name
NYC Street Tree Census
Description
The NYC Street Tree Census 2015-2016 mapped 666,134 street trees in New York City with the help of over 2,200 volunteers.
Update Frequency
Sporadically
Coverage
New York City's five boroughs
Data Quality
Exceptionally accurate inventory data.
Dataset Size
Over 666,000 street trees mapped.
Maintained By
NYC Parks Department
License

Unknown