Trees take root as Virginia’s frontline defense against urban heat

By: Shannon Heckt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: April 6, 2026

Words: 1,054

Last Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago

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As temperatures climb, some parts of the commonwealth are heating up faster than others — a result of too few trees and too little shade. Neighborhoods without tree canopy can be up to 15 degrees hotter than those with tree cover, and often those areas are home to communities of color and lower income households.

To address the legacy of redlining and underinvestment in these parts of Virginia localities, state and local …

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