Kasey Krouse
Urban Forester
Urban Forestry Division
[email protected]

Public Works Service Center
3131 Morris Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37909

People come from around the world each year to visit the forests of East Tennessee. These forests are known for species diversification and brilliant tree specimens. The trees of East Tennessee help identify the region as thriving in natural resources and rich from the benefits those trees provide. East Tennessee is where northern deciduous forests meet the southern temperate forests, and various precipitation patterns occur over a range of altitudes which makes the City of Knoxville a perfect environmental canvas for a distinguishing urban forest.

The concept of Urban Forestry is not new to Knoxville. The City of Knoxville and local folks have been planting trees for years for multiple reasons. Through time, the understanding of tree benefits and the importance of trees has greatly evolved. Trees are no longer only valued for their beauty and shade, but a new wave of environmental, economic, and social benefits are being recognized. Trees are one of the few City assets that increase in value through time. The City of Knoxville has recognized the importance of properly investing in trees, and has developed an Urban Forestry Division through the Public Service Department to plant, manage, and protect these valuable assets.

Urban Forestry Responsibility
• Oversee the proper maintenance of public trees in order to maintain a healthy and safe urban forest
• Investigate potential hazardous tree situations and provide proper mitigation for non-compliant conditions regarding dangerous trees
• Planning and overseeing proper planting of public trees in order to expand healthy urban forest canopy cover
• Oversee compliance to the Tree Protection Ordinance
• Collaborate and provide information, training, and professional advise to developers, contractors, city management and employees on tree related issues and projects
• Develop and implement programs and education events to promote proper planting and maintenance on private property
• Develop and implement a cyclical pruning and maintenance program in order to routinely preform the necessary care for trees

Benefits that Trees Provide the City of Knoxville
• Trees reduce stormwater runoff
• Trees reduced heating and cooling costs
• Trees increased property value
• Tree sequester carbon dioxide
• Trees improve air quality
• Tree help calm traffic
• Trees help attract business development to an area
• Trees help reduce stress by softening urban environments
• Trees help create sound barriers
• Trees reduce heat in parking lots
• Trees increase the useful life of pavement and roads
• Trees provide habitat and food for wildlife
• Trees improve city aesthetics!

City Tree Board
What does the Knoxville Tree Board do in your community?

City Tree Inventory Viewer
See City trees on the TreeKeeper Viewer - click on the map below.



University of Tennessee Tree Inventory
Click here to view the tree inventory for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

2021 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment-KGIS Maps
Click here to view on KGIS Maps

Tree Resources for Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to find answers for common questions about trees