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Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan Progress Update for September 2023

Implementation continues on the Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP), the first Citywide, strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Some recent updates:

• Comment today on Columbus’ proposed public tree code. After much work and collaboration from other City departments, you can now review the proposed public tree code! Public trees grow on City-owned property, like street trees and park trees. Read a summary of how the department will better preserve and grow Columbus’ tree canopy, as well as the proposed code language and the City’s first Tree Technical Manual. You can comment on the public tree code through Friday, Sept. 22.
  • If you would like to see a presentation on public tree code changes, there will be a City Council hearing on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 4-6 p.m. in Council Chambers. You can watch the presentation in person at City Hall or virtually on YouTube or Facebook. If you want to speak at the meeting, fill out a speaker slip by Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. 
• Check out the recently completed street tree inventory! Did you know that Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s Forestry staff manages more than 125,000 street trees? Over three years, the department invested in its tree data by physically visiting each street tree and capturing locations, species and condition. For the first time, planting spaces were also collected to inform future planting efforts. A total of 225,982 sites were inventoried, and this inventory discovered that 96,000 planting sites were available to plant trees in Columbus. This information is key to proactively managing a healthy urban forest. Check out the citywide summary report, as well as the report for your neighborhood!
• Join City Forester Steve Horhut on a tree walk at the Columbus Park of Roses at Whetstone Park. Did you know that the Columbus Park of Roses was recently named a certified Level II arboretum by the Morton Arboretum in Chicago? Mark your calendars for a free tree walk, which will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 10-11 a.m. Steve Horhut will teach participants how to identify trees in the park, as well as common issues and attributes with different species. Meet behind the Whetstone Park Shelterhouse (in front of Columbus Park of Roses) at 10 a.m. Walking may be on uneven terrain. We hope to see you there!
• Fall is a great time to plant a tree! Our Forestry team will begin planting street trees in mid-October so now is a perfect time to consider planting a tree in your own yard! Before you plant, call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service to have underground utilities (i.e., gas, electric) marked. Call 811 or 800-362-2764 between 48 hours and 10 days before you plan to dig.
• Are you looking for a free tree to plant in your yard? Green Columbus is hosting three free tree giveaways in October! You can pick up a tree on Oct. 7 (Hilltop nursery), Oct. 14 (Barack Community Center) or Oct. 21 (Linden nursery). The giveaway at Barack Community Center is the second time the City has hosted a free tree giveaway to support the South Side trees initiative. Register for your free tree today!

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