Hollywood's Green Gold: 40 Years as Tree City USA Fueled by New $25,500 Grant for City-Wide Tree Inventory

Hollywood's urban forest provides significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to residents. The City of Hollywood has maintained its status as a Tree City USA for four decades, demonstrating a sustained commitment to its green infrastructure.

This commitment includes a recent $25,500 matching grant from the US Forest Service. The city used these funds to begin a city-wide tree inventory. This project collects data on every tree located on City-owned or managed property. Once completed, the inventory will help the City better manage and expand its tree canopy.

In 2016, as part of the TD Green Streets Grant, the City of Hollywood added 57 new street trees to the Hollywood Gardens West neighborhood. These trees contribute to the overall value of the city's green spaces. The existing City-managed street trees in the medians and circles of the Hollywood Gardens West neighborhood alone have an annual value of $16,225. The 57 new trees from the TD Green Streets Grant are projected to add another $6,181 in annual value once they reach full growth.

Street trees offer various benefits. Economically, they increase property values and reduce energy and water bills. Socially, they improve safety, encourage walking, and enhance the health and well-being of residents. Environmentally, trees improve air quality, absorb stormwater, reduce ambient temperatures, and enhance local ecosystems.

Residents can assess the value of their own trees using the National Tree Benefit Calculator. This online tool requires users to identify the tree species, measure its diameter at 4.5 feet above ground, and provide location information. To measure diameter, residents can wrap a measuring tape around the trunk (circumference) and divide by 3.14 (π).