Austin ISD recognizes the importance of the urban forest as an asset that provides public health, environmental and social benefits to students and the public. With thousands of acres of land, AISD has a rich and varied tree canopy that includes some of Austin’s most notable heritage trees. The AISD Urban Forest initiative ensures that our trees stay healthy and safe, and that they are able to grow and thrive as valuable assets to our schools and community.
AISD Urban Forest Priorities
- Maintain a rich and varied tree canopy that includes and preserves some of Austin's most notable Heritage Trees.
- Keep our trees healthy and safe and ensure that they are able to thrive and grow as valuable assets to our schools and community.
- Reforest our urban canopy through partnerships with local organizations.
School Tree Maps
Between 2017-2019, AISD completed a comprehensive district wide tree inventory through funding from an Urban Forest Grant through the City of Austin. During this process, data was collected on the health, size, and species of every tree greater than 8 inches in diameter at chest height at AISD properties. This assists in the planning, management, and maintenance of our urban forest and is useful in creating educational and outreach materials. Campus tree maps created from this data are available below.
Arc GIS School Trees Interactive Map
Search by trunk size, tree height, crown spread and heritage designation.
15,894 trees
125 properties
Top 5 most common species of trees
Graph Legend
- Live Oak: 32%
- Cedar Elm: 17%
- Red Oak: 6%
- Ashe Juniper: 5%
- Bur Oak: 4%
- Other Misc Species: 36%
AISD Urban Forest Strategies
Tree Care
A Healthy Tree is a Safe Tree!
AISD’s tree care program includes proper pruning and plant health practices that adhere to the International Society of Arboriculture standards to promote tree health and ensure the safety of our schoolyards.
- For pruning and tree clearance requests please have a campus administrator submit a work order
- For mulching - view the Mulching Guidelines Video from the City of Austin.
- For immediate tree needs, please contact the AISD help desk at 512-414-8324
- For tree questions, please contact the AISD Urban Forester.
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
Reforestation
AISD is committed to continued reforestation efforts on our campuses to ensure that there is a thriving urban forest that will continue to grow with the community and generations of students to come.
This is a grant program that is intended to support urban forestry work around the city. This includes projects such as tree planting and care, disease and invasive species mitigation, educational outreach, among others.
- We maintain partnerships with local organizations and others to assist with school tree plantings
- The AISD Urban Forester provides guidance to people seeking to apply for a City of Austin Urban Forest Grant
- This is a grant program that is intended to support urban forestry work around the city. This includes projects such as tree planting and care, disease and invasive species mitigation, educational outreach, among others.
- Use these guidelines while applying and submit your project to the Schoolyard Improvement Projects website.
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Education and Resources
We believe in the importance of educating students about trees, their ecological importance, the benefits they give to us, and the proper way to take care of the urban forest
National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools
Your school’s trees can help your campus become a National Wildlife Federation Eco-School through the Learning About Forests pathway.
Tree Campus USA K-12
Learn how to successfully complete the requirements to become recognized as a Tree Campus
TreesAreGood
The International Society of Arboriculture provides tree care information and lesson plans
I-Tree
Our trees provide important environmental value. Calculate the environmental value of campus trees with I-Tree.
Professional Development
AISD staff may view available options on HCP under Course Science: Outdoor Learning
Tree related workshops we have hosted include Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Growing up WILD workshops