Ecosystem Analysis
Rowlett’s urban forest plays a crucial role in the livability and sustainability of the city. Rowlett’s 340,000 trees impact everything from economic development to the overall health and livability of the people that live, work, and play in Rowlett every day.
Understanding an urban forest’s structure, function, and value can promote effective policy decisions, sound management planning, and help to set and anticipate future budgetary requirements. During the summer of 2018, the City of Rowlett partnered with the Texas Trees Foundation to perform the most detailed and comprehensive study of Rowlett’s urban forest resource ever conducted.
Key Findings
- Rowlett’s 340,000 trees have a structural value of $310 million
- Rowlett’s tree canopy cover is 21.5 %
- Rowlett’s trees provide roughly $650,000 annually in environmental services
- 340,000 trees provide 5,000 tons of Oxygen per year to Rowlett
- 42% of Rowlett’s canopy is on residential property
- Less than 1% of the overall canopy is on undeveloped land
- 20,000: number of new trees needed to raise Rowlett’s urban tree canopy by 5%
- Rowlett’s most common tree species are Cedar elm, common Crape myrtle, and Boxelder