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City of Cape Coral Completes GIS Tree Inventory Update Through State Forestry Grant

February 26, 2026

Tree Inventory UpdateThe City of Cape Coral Public Works Department has completed a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) Tree Inventory Update funded through the 2024 Urban & Community Forestry Capacity Grant. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and supported by funding from the U.S. Forest Service.

The project marks a significant step forward in strengthening the City’s Sustainable Urban Forest initiative and reinforces Cape Coral’s commitment to data-driven canopy management, storm resilience, and long-term environmental stewardship.

Project Overview

Through the FDACS grant, consultant Chen Moore and Associates conducted a GPS-based tree inventory across fifteen priority corridors, medians, and public green spaces throughout the City. The project updated previously inventoried areas and documented newly installed trees, ensuring the City maintains a current and accurate GIS-based urban forest database.

A total of 4,104 tree data points were collected, including:

  • 4,048 active tree records
  • 1,390 newly installed trees added to the database

Each tree record now includes detailed attributes such as species, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown spread, condition rating, GPS coordinates, growing space type, land use classification, and proximity to overhead utilities. All data has been integrated into the City’s TreePlotter GIS platform to enhance long-term planning and asset management.

Key Findings

Species Composition

  • The urban forest remains palm-dominated
  • Sabal palm accounts for approximately 59% of inventoried trees
  • Palms comprise more than 70% of the total inventory

Tree Size Distribution

  • 52% of trees fall within the 6–12 inch DBH range, reflecting a relatively young and maturing canopy

Ecosystem Benefits

The inventoried trees collectively provide an estimated $22,956 in annual environmental benefits, including:

  • 70,113 cubic feet of stormwater runoff avoided
  • 1.77 million pounds of carbon stored
  • 1,580 pounds of air pollutants removed

Long-Term Impact

The FDACS-funded inventory update provides a critical foundation for advancing urban forest management in Cape Coral. The updated GIS data will enable the City to:

  • Track canopy gains and losses
  • Prioritize maintenance and risk mitigation
  • Improve storm resilience planning
  • Diversify species composition
  • Quantify ecosystem services and return on investment
  • Strengthen future grant applications and urban forest planning efforts
“This project positions Cape Coral to make informed, strategic decisions that protect and expand our tree canopy for generations to come,” said Omar Leon, City Arborist. "The City of Cape Coral extends its appreciation to FDACS for its continued partnership and support in enhancing the health, sustainability, and resilience of the community’s urban forest."