Assessing canopy cover over streets and sidewalks in street tree populations

Total canopy cover and canopy cover over street and sidewalk surfaces were estimated for street trees in Davis, California.... Tree canopy cover, or more precisely, the amount and distribution of leaf area, is the driving force behind the urban forests ability to produce benefits for the community. As canopy cover increases, so do the benefits afforded by leaf area: climate control and energy savings; improvement of air, soil, and water quality; mitigation of stormwater runoff; reduction of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide; provision of wildlife habitat; and increased real estate value and community vitality. [UMN]

"Total canopy cover and canopy cover over street and sidewalk surfaces were estimated for street trees in Davis, California, U.S. Calculations were made using simple trigonometric equations based on the results of a sample inventory. Canopy cover from public trees over streets and sidewalks varied between 4% and 46% by city zone, averaging 14% citywide. Consideration of land use, planting locations, and age distribution suggests that 25% coverage of streets and sidewalks is an attainable goal for typical city zones." [Abstract]