Tree canopy assessments show varying trends in Durham and Princeton

Recent environmental assessments in Durham, North Carolina, and Princeton, New Jersey, highlight different trajectories for urban forest management.

In Durham, the city has maintained a tree canopy of over 50% despite rapid urban expansion and weather-related losses. A 2024 assessment covering 121 square miles found that canopy cover stands at 54.7% within city limits and 58.9% when including the urban growth boundary. The city’s comprehensive plan aims for 55% coverage within city limits by 2040, supported by ongoing planting efforts by city staff and volunteers.

Conversely, Princeton has experienced a 5.5% decline in its tree canopy since 2010, losing approximately 653 acres. While the municipality remains roughly 60% covered by trees, officials emphasize that new plantings cannot immediately replace the ecological benefits of mature, established trees. In response, the municipality is focusing on strengthening tree protection ordinances and managing public lands through a single municipal tree crew.