In an era often dominated by headlines about deforestation and environmental decline, a recent survey offers an encouraging counterpoint: forests are actually making a quiet comeback across much of the United States.
Through a creative and detailed use of big data, researchers analyzed satellite and geographic information systems (GIS) to track changes in tree cover across all 3,119 U.S. counties. The findings may surprise even seasoned conservationists.
According to the data, 1,836 counties experienced growth in tree cover between the years 2000 and 2020. This widespread arboreal resurgence was most concentrated in prairie states and Midwestern regions, areas traditionally not associated with dense forest growth. While some counties did lose tree cover, these losses were generally smaller in scale compared to the gains seen in counties with expanding forests.
This results in a notable net positive. “When measured by county, the US has seen net forest growth over the last 2 decades,” explained an analysis by Lawn Starter.
This trend is not just statistically significant—it carries ecological and societal implications. Forests, no matter how fragmented or small, perform an array of crucial environmental services. “Tree cover in human civilization performs several functions,” the original analysis notes.
Forest patches increase local biodiversity, stabilize soil to prevent erosion, and reduce harmful runoff into rivers and streams. They provide shade that moderates temperatures in urban heat islands, offer recreational spaces, and even contribute to mental well-being by fostering a sense of calm and connection with nature.
What’s particularly remarkable about this forest expansion is that it isn’t limited to remote wilderness or rural counties. Urban and suburban areas are also experiencing meaningful gains in tree canopy.
A prime example is Lea County, New Mexico, one of the 25 largest counties in the continental United States by land area. According to the data, this county registered a staggering 1,600% increase in forest canopy, the largest growth rate recorded in the analysis. This kind of dramatic change in vegetation is indicative of deliberate reforestation, successful afforestation programs, or shifts in land use policies.
Equally surprising is the trend observed in densely populated urban centers. Despite facing obstacles such as limited space, pollution, and ongoing urban development, 14 of the 25 most densely populated U.S. counties still experienced an increase in tree cover.
These include major metropolitan regions such as Kings County, New York (home to Brooklyn), Broward County, Florida (Fort Lauderdale), and Wayne County, Michigan (Detroit). Even heavily developed areas like Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County in Florida experienced measurable increases in forest canopy.
Tree canopy expansion is also evident in counties encompassing mid-size prairie cities like Boise, Omaha, Lincoln, and Wichita—places where urban sprawl often competes with natural landscapes. Larger cities aren’t being left behind either. The report notes gains in Denver, Indianapolis, Seattle, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Nashville.
This suggests a growing awareness of urban forestry’s importance among city planners and local governments. More municipalities are investing in green infrastructure—planting trees along streets, expanding parks, and preserving wooded areas—to combat the adverse effects of climate change and to improve livability.
Across all the counties that experienced gains, the mean increase in tree cover was 8.15% over the two-decade span. While that may not sound monumental at first glance, it represents significant progress when aggregated across hundreds of counties. In terms of global climate resilience and local environmental health, such increases can make a real difference.
Forests act as natural carbon sinks, and their expansion is crucial for climate mitigation.
According to earlier reporting by the GNN, “reforestation gains throughout the 20th century have insulated the southeastern region of the United States from increases in average temperatures seen in other regions.” This underscores how strategic forest growth can provide a buffer against some of the more severe impacts of a warming world.
The story revealed by this data analysis is one of quiet but meaningful environmental progress. While deforestation remains a serious concern in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical rainforests, the U.S. appears to be reversing some of its earlier forest losses—thanks in part to reforestation programs, changing land use patterns, and perhaps a growing public appreciation for the value of green space.
In a time when so many ecological stories are dominated by decline, this one stands out as a hopeful reminder: positive change is not only possible—it’s already happening, one tree at a time.
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