New digital tool allows County residents to determine need for tree planting in their neighborhoods
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, now offers a Tree Canopy Explorer web application to determine the extent of tree canopy in communities throughout the County. This tool enables users to view the layer of leaves and branches shading the ground, which ultimately contributes to improving the local climate of urban and suburban areas.
The new Tree Canopy Explorer allows residents to measure the tree canopy around their homes or businesses by identifying the street address, zooming in on the location and using a tool to calculate the percentage of cover. An update to the existing canopy data will soon make it possible to determine the loss in canopy experienced due to storms and recent tree trimming efforts. By understanding the extent of the canopy, property owners can take steps to plant more trees and create healthier, greener communities. The more shade from trees, the less energy required for cooling homes and cars. Also, trees clean the air we breathe and the runoff from storms.
The digital tool was developed by planners using a 2009 Countywide analysis of trees done with high-resolution aerial imagery. That study revealed that much of the County contains a high level of tree canopy, but that most urbanized areas lack adequate shade, particularly over hard surfaces that can become superheated during the summer.
County planner Katherine Nelson will make a presentation about the Tree Canopy Explorer at the Montgomery County Greenfest on Saturday, March 28. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College (7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring).