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, trained AISD staff collected data on the health, size, and species of every tree greater than 8 inches in diameter 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 Maintenance
Tree maintenance on AISD campuses 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.
- AISD requires that all tree work be completed by qualified arborists or trained staff. If your campus needs tree trimming, have a campus administrator submit a work order in Asset Essentials. Please provide photos of the requested work and clear maps or information on the tree location(s).
- If you have identified a “Dangerous Tree” on an AISD campus, please submit a “Dangerous Tree” work order request in Asset Essentials for review by the AISD Urban Forester. Click here for a helpful FAQ.
- or tree questions, please email trees@austinisd.org
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
Tree Planting
AISD is committed to continued reforestation efforts on our campuses to support a thriving urban forest that will continue to grow with the community and generations of students to come.
Austin ISD relies on grants and community partners to plant trees on campuses. See our current partnerships and strategies below:
- Partners
- Grants
- City of Austin Urban Forest Grant
- Office of Sustainability Bright Green Futures Grant
- Fruitful Commons Tree Care Mini Grant
- If your campus is a Join-Use Site then your campus is also eligible for the following grants:
- If you would like to host tree planting, mulching, or other tree care projects on your campus, please submit your project through the Schoolyard Improvement Project website. The AISD Urban Forester will assist in planning the project and providing guidance on planting location, species selection, etc. Do not plant trees until you submit your project for review.
hosted by Treefolks
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
Join the National Wildlife Federation EcoSchools U.S. program to be recognized for your school team’s efforts to learn about and care for trees on your on campus, perhaps even planting a few new ones! The free registration will give you access to a guiding framework and an action card library covering topics such as LEAF (Learning About Ecosystems and Forests), Grow a Schoolyard Forest, and Create School Field Guides. Also check out NWF’s Trees for Wildlife Event Planning and Activity Guide!
Tree Campus USA K-12
Learn how to become recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus. The program encourages schools and educators to create purposeful opportunities for students to interact with trees.
Youth FOrest Council
The City of Austin’s Youth Forest Council is an immersive, year long paid internship connecting young people (ages 16-20) in Austin to careers in natural resources and public service.
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.
Texas Tree Planting Guide (Texas A&M Forest Service)
Working on a tree planting project or want to find good trees in the area? Use the Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Tree Planting Guide.
Professional Development
AISD staff may view available options on HCP under Course Science: Outdoor Learning. Course availability may vary, so check occasionally! Tree related workshops we have hosted include Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Growing up WILD workshops.