Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 25 Million Trees by 2033 initiative during her 2024 State of the State Address to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate mitigation and community health.
DEC has established an online Tree Tracker, where New Yorkers can record trees they plant. Here are some statistics from the tracker for trees planted in 2025:
Top Tree Planters: New York’s family forest owners (private landowners) tracked 87,000 trees planted in the Tree Tracker in 2025.
Top Tree Species: Red maple was the #1 species in the Tracker since the tool’s launch last winter. Sugar maple, river birch, and crabapple were the next most popular.
Top Region: New York’s Southern Tier tracked the most trees toward the 25 million trees goal, with more than 131,000 trees planted, followed by the Mohawk Valley (52k) and New York City (43k).
Disadvantaged Communities: Nearly 30% of all trees tracked were planted in disadvantaged communities across New York State, who often bear the brunt of environmental burdens from climate change and other environmental stressors.
Since it’s launch about 409,000 trees have been planted and tracked through the initiative. At the current rate, it would take more than 80 years to reach 25 million trees, though that number should change as more people learn about tracking their trees and new tree planting programs are launched.
If you planted a tree in 2025, it’s not too late to make sure your tree counts toward reaching New York’s 25 million trees goal.
Record your planting on the DEC Tree Tracker.
Read more about trees in New York State.
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