BR Green is replanting tree canopy

After years of widening I-10 and felling trees, Louisiana's capital is embarking on its most visible re-greening effort in memory—at the state's busiest interstate junction, as well as Staring Lane and downtown sidewalks.

What's happening: Baton Rouge Green, the city's urban forestry nonprofit, is planting trees across three sites. 

• The big one—the I-10/I-12 interchange: 75 live oaks and overcup oaks went into the ground last week, the first installment of a 400-tree project. Two hundred sweet bay magnolias and black tupelo follow in winter 2026, with 125 swamp titi in 2027. Design is by Carbo Landscape of Baton Rouge.
  • Louisiana's DOTD and Boh Brothers are paying for the interstate plantings. A decade ago, they removed 256 trees for lane additions and pledged to replant double that number.
  • The aim, says Baton Rouge Green's Sage Roberts Foley, is to mimic the state's bottomland hardwoods—a "swampy" look that lends dimension and color at the crossroads. Other interstate exits will receive roughly 100 additional trees.
• Staring Lane median (Perkins to Highland): 83 trees—pond cypress, hollies, crabapples, wax myrtles, and live oaks—will finally deliver on a promise made during former Mayor Kip Holden's tenure to green the corridor after it was widened from two lanes to four.
• Downtown: 100 empty tree wells along city sidewalks will be planted.

Thanks, Franklin:  The Staring and downtown work is backed by a $300,000 state appropriation secured by state Sen. Franklin Foil. A share of that funding will flow to similar urban forestry groups elsewhere in Louisiana.

The bottom line: BR Green started strong, then became somewhat dormant. It’s come alive again under Roberts Foley, who is delivering on what she promised to donors, which means she’ll secure more funding to continue greening Baton Rouge.