Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan Progress Update

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Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan Progress Update

Below is an update on the progress of the City’s Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP), the first Citywide, strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees.

  • This spring, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's Forestry section planted 2,046 trees along streets and in parks. Volunteers helped plant 70 of those trees
  • The UFMP is getting media attention. Rosalie Hendon, project lead for the UFMP, did an interview this month on All Sides with Ann Fisher talking about the City’s UFMP and tree canopy. Rosalie’s part of the interview begins at 15:40.
  • More than 50 percent of the public tree inventory for the City of Columbus has been completed. This process involves an arborist inspecting each tree to gather key information (species, condition, size and location) and collecting available planting spaces. This information is crucial to proactively managing our public trees. This relates to Action 15 of the UFMP to improve the public tree protection ordinance.
  • The tree canopy assessment is in process. The assessment shows what percentage of the city is covered by trees when seen from above and will analyze tree canopy cover across all of Franklin County, in addition to the City of Columbus. The last time a tree canopy assessment was published was in 2015 (using 2013 data). At that time, only 22 percent of Columbus was covered by trees. This is lower than many other Midwestern cities like Pittsburgh (40 percent) or Cincinnati (39 percent). This relates to Action 4 to share tree data with the community, and Action 13 to obtain and maintain updated essential tree data.
  • Proposed code changes and a best practices manual for public trees that will accompany City code are being drafted. This is critical to preserving the trees we have. Initial public feedback from the comment period in January and February has been incorporated, and a draft of both documents is expected to be completed later this year. This supports Action 15 as well as Action 9 to create an Urban Forestry Best Practices Manual.
  • Environmental data about the hottest places in our region this summer is being collected. This data will be used to develop temperature and heat index maps for Columbus and parts of Franklin County.
    • You can help with this effort! Volunteer for a one-day heat mapping campaign. Sometime between Aug. 5-17, volunteers will drive for one hour along a predetermined route collecting data from equipment that will be provided. Learn more, and sign up to participate. Email David Celebrezze at DRCelebrezze@columbus.gov with questions.
  • Trees are being planted on the South Side. The South Side neighborhood has an average of 18 percent tree canopy, below the City average, and scores highly on the social equity index. Five trees were planted in April, and more trees will be planted and given away this fall. Partners include the department, The Ohio State University, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry, Green Columbus, FLOW and the Church for All People. This aligns with Action 5 to support active participation by volunteers and partners, and Action 6 to prioritize tree planting efforts based on equity.
  • The project team is improving communications and collaboration with sister departments. This includes meeting quarterly with Columbus Department of Public Service and bimonthly with Columbus Department of Public Utilities. This supports Action 3.

Thank you for your support of the UFMP! Learn more about the UFMP at columbusufmp.org