When Hurricane Milton swept through Tampa Bay in October, it left a trail of destruction—including the loss of thousands of trees. In St. Petersburg alone, city crews responded to more than 2,000 reports of downed trees.

According to local environmental group Take Mar, the city may have lost up to 20% of its tree canopy during the storm.

“We’re currently waiting for LiDAR data to pinpoint exactly how much canopy we lost and which areas were hit hardest,” said Maeven Rogers, St. Pete’s Director of Sustainability & Resilience. “That information will help us target our replanting efforts and understand what types of trees residents would like to see in their neighborhoods.”

To support reforestation, the City of St. Pete has committed to planting 1,000 trees this year. On Saturday, the city gave away 500 trees—one per household—during events at Walter Fuller and Frank Pierce recreation centers.

“Trees are vital for many reasons—from preserving natural habitats to reducing the urban heat island effect that’s making neighborhoods hotter,” Rogers said. “We’re already seeing rising temperatures, and trees can help bring those numbers down.”

Rogers also offered advice to residents planning to plant trees: larger species, like oaks, should be planted in areas with ample space for their roots to grow. Trees planted in tight spaces are more vulnerable to damage and more likely to fall during storms.

“In neighborhoods with high tree canopy coverage, temperatures can drop by four to even nine degrees,” Rogers said. “That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to help replant and cool their communities.”

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