Denver's tree canopy hasn't grown in 5 years, analysis finds

By the numbers: Tree canopy in the Denver-Aurora metro covers 16.7% of the region — compared to 17.9% in similar U.S. cities, according to a new Washington Post analysis of data from Trees At Work, a collaboration between the Arbor Day Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service and PlanIT Geo.

• That's down 0.1 percentage points over the last five years.

What they're saying: Denver Parks and Recreation spokesperson Stephanie Figueroa tells Axios Denver the agency "can't speak on the data" in the Post's analysis, but says the city is "constantly adding and removing trees for a variety of reasons."

Between the lines: Expanding tree coverage isn't as simple as sticking a sapling in the ground. Trees can take decades to mature and require precious water in a dry climate like Colorado's.

• Urban planners also face tough tradeoffs. Making room for more nature can mean less space for badly needed housing and transit.

The big picture: Denver's modest canopy is part of a broader geographic trend.

• Cities in the forested East naturally host more trees. Atlanta, for example, boasts 51.4% coverage.
• As the landscape shifts westward into grasslands and arid desert, coverage drops. In Kansas City, Kansas, it's 31.4%. In Phoenix, it's only 8.5%.

What's next: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has pledged to plant 4,500 new trees this year as part of a larger push to curb carbon pollution.

• The city hasn't nailed down exact locations yet, but Figueroa tells Axios Denver that areas with the greatest need for shade and canopy will be prioritized.