In 2024, Phoenix City Council planned to plant over 27,000 new trees and build 550 new shade structures under a $60 million plan to combat extreme temperatures

In 2024, Phoenix City Council planned to plant over 27,000 new trees and build 550 new shade structures under a $60 million plan to combat extreme temperatures. The plan was approved in November 2024 as Phoenix faced rising heat and continued drought conditions. The Shade Phoenix Plan was prepared by the city’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. It outlines 36 actions that 26 city departments and offices can take to increase and protect shade. The plan uses both trees and built shade. Built shade can include structures such as awnings, canopies and shade covers at public locations. The city said completing the planned actions would result in more than 27,000 new trees and 550 new shade structures. The Phoenix City Council approved the plan by an 8-0 vote. It calls for $60 million in federal and local funding over five years.

Why Phoenix is focusing on shade?

Phoenix experiences summer temperatures that can reach triple digits. Roads, buildings, pavement and other surfaces can also hold heat and contribute to the urban heat island effect. The city’s plan focuses on reducing exposure to direct sunlight and lowering temperatures around places where people spend time.


The plan identifies several locations where shade can have an impact:

• Busy streets and sidewalks
• Public bus stops
• Metro train stops
• Public parks
• Playgrounds
• City-owned properties
• Public rights of way
• Private properties in selected areas
• Other places with high pedestrian traffic

The city also examined differences in tree cover across neighborhoods. Areas of Encanto and Camelback East have fewer trees. During a June heat event when air temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit, surface temperatures in those areas reached at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

27,000 trees and 550 shade structures

The Shade Phoenix Plan includes more than 27,000 new trees and 550 new shade structures over five years. The tree planting program is expected to increase the annual rate of tree planting across Phoenix. Trees will be placed in parks, playgrounds, public rights of way, city properties and some private properties.

The city plans to give attention to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. More than 50% of the total investment is planned for low- to moderate-income communities. About 85% is planned for low-, moderate- and middle-income communities. The plan does not depend only on trees. Phoenix also wants to expand engineered shade because water availability can affect the ability to plant and maintain trees.

One goal is to provide shade at all bus stops where possible within 10 years. Phoenix has more than 4,000 public bus stops, and about 75% already have shelters that provide some shade. The Public Transit Department plans to install at least 80 shade structures at bus stops each year as part of this effort.

A shift from the 2010 tree plan

The new plan expands on Phoenix’s 2010 Tree and Shade Master Plan. The 2010 plan included a goal of planting enough trees to provide shade over 25% of Phoenix by 2030. The new strategy moves away from relying on one citywide tree-canopy target.

Instead, the city wants to identify locations where additional shade is needed and select the type of shade that works in each location. This approach includes both natural shade from trees and built shade from structures. The city also wants to direct investment toward communities that have received less tree planting and public infrastructure in the past.

How trees can reduce heat?

Trees can provide shade by blocking sunlight before it reaches roads, pavement and other surfaces. The city’s heat response data indicates that shade can reduce pavement surface temperatures by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also reduce radiant temperature, which is linked to how hot an area feels, by up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Trees also cool the surrounding environment through transpiration. During this process, trees release water into the atmosphere. Trees can also intercept rainwater. This can help water enter and remain in the ground, reduce dust and support air quality.

The plan states that shade can also reduce the difference between surface temperatures and air temperatures. For example, a location that feels like 145 degrees Fahrenheit under direct sun could feel closer to 115 degrees Fahrenheit with shade. An air temperature of 110 degrees could be reduced to about 108 degrees, while a surface temperature of 130 degrees could fall to 110 degrees with shade.

Funding for the Phoenix shade plan

The $60 million investment will come from several sources. Most of the funding is expected to come from the American Rescue Plan Act, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Phoenix voter-approved Transportation 250 infrastructure fund.

Additional funding will come from the city’s general fund and other general bonds. The city wants the funding to support tree planting, shade structures and related work. The plan also identifies the need for long-term funding because trees and structures require maintenance after installation.

Tree maintenance is part of the plan

Planting trees is only one part of the Phoenix shade strategy. The plan also addresses the maintenance of trees and built shade structures. Some newly planted trees in North Phoenix died after planting. One area north of Thunderbird Road between 44th and 52nd streets had an estimated 20 trees that died.

The city has also received concerns about the care of newly planted trees in South Phoenix. The Shade Phoenix Plan includes funding and instructions for replacing trees that die or become damaged.

The city also plans to regularly update its list of tree species. The goal is to select species that can survive Phoenix’s heat and dry conditions. The city has not yet provided the complete list of species it plans to plant.

Four goals of the Shade Phoenix Plan

The plan has four main goals:

• Increase shade across Phoenix.
• Maintain existing trees and shade structures.
• Improve public education about shade and sustainability.
• Create and support careers in urban forestry.

The plan also calls for better community involvement. Residents are expected to have a greater role in planning, implementing and evaluating shade projects. Phoenix also wants to explore technology that can help measure the effects of shade and monitor how projects perform over time.

Why low-income communities are a focus?

The plan places more than half of its investment in low- and moderate-income communities. The city identified areas where tree cover and public infrastructure have not received the same level of investment as other parts of Phoenix.

This is linked to the urban heat island effect. Neighborhoods with less vegetation and more pavement can experience higher surface temperatures. The city therefore plans to place trees and shade structures in locations where people face greater exposure to heat.

What happens next

The Shade Phoenix Plan provides a framework for the city’s heat response work, but Phoenix officials have identified areas that still need attention. The city needs more sustained funding for future shade projects. It also needs maintenance systems that can support trees and shade structures after they are installed.

Community participation will also be part of the next stage. The city plans to involve residents in planning, implementation and evaluation. The selection of tree species will remain another important issue. Since trees can remain in place for decades, Phoenix must consider future heat and drought conditions when choosing what to plant.

The plan therefore combines tree planting, shade structures, maintenance, public education and urban forestry work. Its focus is not only on increasing the amount of shade across Phoenix but also on placing shade where residents and public spaces need it most.