Cape Coral–Fort Myers has one of the highest tree canopy coverages in Florida—and it’s saving residents millions while keeping the city cooler, healthier, and more beautiful.
Tree Canopy Benefits in Cape Coral–Fort Myers
On Earth Day, it’s worth looking up. In Cape Coral–Fort Myers, more than half the region is shaded by trees—and that canopy is doing far more than creating a scenic view. According to Florida’s Urban Forest: A Valuation of Benefits, published in 2020 by the University of Florida and its partners, the area has a tree canopy coverage of 56.7%. That coverage translates into real-world value for the community—economically, environmentally, and socially.
That includes $32.8 million saved each year in stormwater runoff costs. Trees intercept more than 3.68 billion gallons of rainwater annually—reducing the burden on storm drains and helping prevent flooding in residential areas. Their canopies slow rainfall before it hits the ground, while their roots absorb water and hold soil in place, reducing the risk of erosion and runoff that can damage homes during storms.
They also filter out 12,950 tons of air pollution, leading to $21.5 million in public health savings. Tree leaves trap tiny particles from car exhaust and industry, cool the air to slow smog formation, and remove gases like nitrogen dioxide and ozone—all of which helps reduce asthma attacks and other respiratory issues, especially in children and seniors.
And that’s just the economic side. Tree canopy directly affects quality of life. It lowers street temperatures, provides shade for homes, and reduces the urban heat island effect. For residents, this often translates to lower cooling bills in the summer. Neighborhoods lined with trees feel calmer, more inviting, and in many cases, have higher property values. Research suggests homes on tree-lined streets can be worth 5 to 15 percent more.
Lee County’s Tree Canopy vs. Other Florida Markets
Cape Coral–Fort Myers is ahead of the curve when it comes to canopy coverage. Compared to places like Miami-Fort Lauderdale (25.6%) or Okeechobee (18.6%), the region ranks in the upper tier statewide. Still, the distribution isn’t even. Dense urban areas have less coverage, while suburban neighborhoods and preserved lands offer more. That makes it all the more important to protect and invest in tree cover where we have it.
A large part of the region’s canopy exists thanks to the work of Lee County Parks and Recreation. The department manages over 30,000 acres of parks and preserves, including spaces like Six Mile Cypress Slough, Lakes Park, and Caloosahatchee Regional Park. These sites provide not only recreational opportunities but also dense, well-maintained tree cover that plays a major role in the area’s environmental health.
Programs like Conservation 20/20 have added even more protected lands to the map, helping store carbon, absorb rainwater, and provide habitat for wildlife. The trees in these parks and preserves contribute significantly to the 1.4 million tons of carbon dioxide sequestered annually across the region, as well as the 35.1 million tons already stored.
Cooling the Region, One Park at a Time
Urban trees do more than cast shade—they act as natural air conditioners. This cooling effect is part of what scientists refer to as an urban heat sink: an area, often green and shaded, that reduces temperatures in its immediate surroundings. In a hot and humid place like Cape Coral–Fort Myers, these heat sinks can make neighborhoods, parks, and city streets far more livable.
Tree canopies reduce surface temperatures by blocking direct sunlight. Roads, sidewalks, and rooftops absorb less heat when shaded, lowering the temperature of the space around them. But trees also cool the air through a process called evapotranspiration—releasing water vapor through their leaves, which pulls heat from the surrounding atmosphere. The same system that intercepts 3.68 billion gallons of stormwater also helps regulate microclimates across the region.
Lee County Parks and Recreation plays a key role in maintaining these urban heat sinks. At places like Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, towering cypress trees and saturated wetlands combine to create a cooler, shaded environment even on the hottest afternoons. Lakes Park blends canopy cover with a central water feature, enhancing both shade and humidity-driven cooling. And the Great Calusa Blueway—a tree-lined paddling trail through coastal waterways—demonstrates how tree cover and water bodies work together to lower temperatures.
In Cape Coral, where many neighborhoods are built along canals and waterways, the presence of tree cover along shorelines further boosts the cooling effect. Water absorbs and dissipates heat more slowly than land, and when paired with surrounding vegetation, helps stabilize temperatures throughout the day.
These urban heat sinks offer real value to residents. Cooler outdoor spaces support more time outside without discomfort or health risks. Shade from trees lowers the demand for air conditioning, which saves money and reduces energy strain. And in a broader sense, a network of healthy, tree-filled parks makes the region more resilient to rising temperatures and climate-related heatwaves.
How Southwest Florida Residents Can Help Protect the Urban Forest
Residents can support a healthier urban forest by planting native, wind-resistant trees, caring for existing ones, and reporting any damage or disease. Even something as simple as adding a shade tree to your yard makes a meaningful difference.
The urban forest in Cape Coral–Fort Myers isn’t something abstract. It’s the shaded park path you walk, the street trees that cool your block, and the green canopy you see from your window. It’s cleaner air that helps kids breathe easier. It’s stormwater slowed down before it reaches your doorstep. It’s the comfort of stopping for a quick hello with a neighbor in the shade instead of rushing inside. With continued care, that 56.7% coverage can remain a powerful, visible part of daily life—one that delivers value, comfort, and resilience year after year.
Want to Feel the Difference for Yourself?
Take a stroll through Lakes Park or John Yarbrough Linear Park. These green spaces let you experience the cooling effect of a true urban heat sink—shade you can feel, air that’s easier to breathe, and the kind of natural comfort only a healthy tree canopy can provide.
To learn more about how Lee County Parks and Recreation supports the urban forest—and how you can get involved—visit Lee County Parks Programs & Classes.
At Worthington Realty, we are driven to restore trust and respect in real estate by deeply understanding each client’s needs—so that every homeowner feels heard, valued, and confident in their decisions. We believe protecting our region’s urban forest is part of protecting what makes Southwest Florida a place people are proud to call home. If you’re looking to buy or sell in a community that values long-term livability and natural beauty, contact Worthington Realty to start a conversation.
