Dallas begins large urban tree inventory with USDA grant; contractors to map tens of thousands of trees
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Summary
Dallas Water Utilities and park staff described a multi-year tree inventory project funded initially by a USDA grant; staff said contractors have completed condition inventories for about 70,000 trees so far and that budget allocations will be discussed during upcoming budget cycles.
Dallas Water Utilities and park staff told the Parks, Trails and Environment Committee on May 5 that the city has contracted with Davy Resources Group to complete an urban tree inventory across city-owned property using LiDAR and ground condition assessments.
Sarah Standifer of Dallas Water Utilities said the project began under a USDA Forest Service grant of about $750,000 and that the contract was set up as a five-year price agreement. Standifer said the contractor began work in December and the city has quality-checked submitted data before approving invoices.
"To date, through that contract, we've been able to do about 70,000 trees, all of the condition inventory and assessment," Standifer told the committee. Staff said the initial grant-funded work covers portions of parklands, floodway management areas and public right-of-way, and that additional funding conversations for FY26 and beyond will involve multiple departments.
Standifer told the committee that the FY25 budget did not include a general-fund appropriation for this work because the USDA grant funded initial efforts; FY25 included $200,000 allocated in the stormwater component. Committee members asked for plain-language materials for residents; several councilmembers requested a short summary suitable for newsletters that explains the tree count, funding and next steps.
Staff said they will provide clearer public-facing information and will bring an update on the urban forestry master plan and inventory results during upcoming budget and forecast items. No committee vote was recorded on the briefing.