In FY25, Pitt reinforced its commitment to the urban tree canopy through hands-on events, tree care workshops, and the planting of 82 new trees. These efforts enhanced community engagement and supported greening efforts on campus and in the Oakland neighborhood.
Since the 2018 Pitt Sustainability Plan, the University community has taken large steps towards maintaining and growing tree count and canopy on campus by 2037 (compared to 2017 baseline), while improving tree health & ecosystems in Pittsburgh. The University’s efforts focus on both stewarding existing trees and planting more trees. To date, nearly 240 Pitt Tree Tenders have been trained; in 2024 alone, 82 new trees planted were planted. Pitt’s tree-focused efforts also led to the University being designated a Tree Campus Higher Education from the Arbor Day Foundation annually since 2021.
Trees by the Numbers
- Nearly 4,000 trees on the Pittsburgh campus
- 29.95 acres of canopy coverage
- 82 new trees planted in 2024
- 241 Pitt community members have become certified Tree Tenders
Tree Event Highlights
- Street Tree Care with Pitt Tree Tenders (pictured above) – Pitt Tree Tenders volunteered with Tree Pittsburgh to take care of 25 street trees around the Zulema Parklet by removing weeds from root zones and mulched to ensure they could retain moisture during hot summer days. The 25 trees they cultivated will have a much better chance at surviving to adulthood and contributing to the regional tree canopy thanks to their efforts. July 25, 2024
- Campus Fall Colors Tree Walk – Two campus tree walks in Fall 2024 were led by a Tree Pittsburgh educator. Attendees learned about the tree species on campus, why trees change colors in the Fall, and identification techniques. October 18, 2024
- Pitt Tree Tender Training (pictured above) – This in-person training was hosted by Pitt and led by local nonprofit Tree Pittsburgh. Participants received a 6-hour in-depth training on the benefit of trees, the state of the City of Pittsburgh’s tree canopy, planting and pruning methods, and threats to the urban forest. It concluded with an in-depth tree identification walk around campus where attendees learned about the variety of tree species on campus and Pitt’s sustainable landscape practices. This training is also available to Pitt community members in asynchronous form online. November 1, 2024
- Tree Pruning Volunteer Day – 10 volunteers pruned 36 trees in Oakland. January 31, 2025
- Street Tree Expansion Workshop (pictured below) – Pitt and Tree Pittsburgh partnered to give the Pittsburgh community hands-on tree survey training. Attendees learned how to evaluate sidewalks for urban tree planting potential and how to consider power/gas lines and sidewalk accessibility. March 28, 2025
- Campus Tree Walk – In Spring, attendees explored the new buds and blooms on campus trees, and learned how to identify them. April 11, 2025
