The City of Asheville believes trees have a profound effect on the quality of life in the community.
That is one of the reasons we have an Urban Forester, an Urban Forestry Commission, and a Tree Canopy Preservation Ordinance.
It’s all part of an effort to preserve and enhance our mountain home. Through these vehicles, the City aims to promote public health, safety, and welfare and provide preservation, planting, replacement, and tree removal options without denying the reasonable use and enjoyment of real property.
As part of that approach, the Planning and Urban Design Department, Urban Forestry Commission, and other City of Asheville staff members collaborated to create the Recommended Species List.
This chart provides valuable information not only about recommended trees, but also shrubs, grasses and groundcovers.
Since its adoption, the current tree canopy preservation ordinance has resulted in 2,473,521 square feet of canopy preserved versus 336,850 square feet of canopy planted for compliance. The North Carolina State Assembly has also established state rules, which limit the City’s ability to regulate tree removal.