Thanks to Google Earth, I was able to see that both trees I planted as a kid have been cut down.  I remember that they handed out cuttings on arbor day and we took them home on the bus.  We transplanted the first of the two trees when we moved.  

On 6/5/2023 at 12:33 PM, Lazarus said:

Thanks to Google Earth, I was able to see that both trees I planted as a kid have been cut down.  I remember that they handed out cuttings on arbor day and we took them home on the bus.  We transplanted the first of the two trees when we moved.  

Yeah I planted one and cared for it in the early 70's. It grew into a very tall mature White Pine, only to get cut down.  Such is suburbia.

Behind the NY Times paywall, but an impressive article with great animated graphics if you are a subscriber. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/18/world/asia/singapore-heat.html

 

Edited September 18, 20231 yr by DO_Summers

Congrats to Youngstown, Toledo.. etc. . for obtaining fairly large grants for urban forestry . Check out the $9M and $12M to Pittsburgh and Philly, respectively.   What's up with the powers to be in our Ohio big three?  Sheez.

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/releases/usda-invests-1-billion-nearly-400-projects-expand-access-trees-and-green-spaces

 

Edited September 20, 20231 yr by DO_Summers
added link

City Passes Stronger Tree Protections

 

Columbus City Council voted unanimously on December 11 to change the public tree code, bringing the city a step closer to the goals of the Urban Forestry Master Plan. The new tree code, which goes into effect early next year, aims to mitigate the net loss of tree canopy by requiring that anyone who removes a tree from city property must either replace it inch for inch, or pay an enhanced fee into the city’s tree fund. 

 

“The last time that anybody touched [the tree code] was in 1991,” said Rosalie Hendon, certified arborist and senior environmental planner for the Recreation and Parks Department. “It’s been over 30 years since this code has been changed around public trees and we’re excited that the timing was right. Coming out of the Urban Forestry Master Plan we knew this was a priority and we had the support and that window of opportunity to make it happen.” 

 

By requiring “inch for inch” replacement, the new code aims to not only halt, but reverse tree canopy loss. Under the new code, for example, removing a tree with a 20-inch diameter would mean replacing it with 10 nursery trees of 2-inches each. Every tree removal, in theory, would then contribute to an exponential growth of the overall canopy. 

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/city-passes-stronger-tree-protections-jb1/

 

41 minutes ago, dwolfi01 said:

https://www.clevescene.com/news/10-ways-clevelands-new-smart-code-will-greatly-change-the-citys-feel-in-decades-to-come-44683707

 

A good summary of the new building code. I didn't realize half of these were a part of it and it's very encouraging to hear. Hoping this sparks the right kind of development for a lively city. 

There's a lot in the new building code designed to promote urban trees and increase the tree canopy in Cleveland. I think these changes will make a difference over the next few decades. The two biggest things are quoted below, but some of the smaller changes, such as making outdoor patios easier to build may also indirectly add trees. I think the surface lot requirement in particular will a lot. 

 

"Smart Code orders developers to contribute. By law, street trees must be planted in what's called the furniture zone—that space between the sidewalk and the street—and planted every 20 to 30 feet. The philosophy is that City Hall's coffers can only do so much. Builders have to do their part."

 

"For every ten parking spaces, a builder must place an island with at least one large tree, and one at least every four parking rows. And every lot of cars must be screened, or wrapped, with trees, walls or fences—the goal being to hide machinery behind greenery."

20 hours ago, Ethan said:

"For every ten parking spaces, a builder must place an island with at least one large tree, and one at least every four parking rows. And every lot of cars must be screened, or wrapped, with trees, walls or fences—the goal being to hide machinery behind greenery."

I'm surprised this isn't already in Cleveland's code. This has been a requirement in Columbus' zoning code for years.

The WaPo says Cleveland has 33.5% tree cover.  Average for similar cities is 34.1%.  We need to buff up our "Forest City" credentials.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2025/tree-friendly-cities-urban-forests/

1 hour ago, Dougal said:

The WaPo says Cleveland has 33.5% tree cover.  Average for similar cities is 34.1%.  We need to buff up our "Forest City" credentials.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2025/tree-friendly-cities-urban-forests/

I don’t have access to WaPo, but I’m curious on what Columbus is. I feel like it is even less than Cleveland. 

1 hour ago, VintageLife said:

I don’t have access to WaPo, but I’m curious on what Columbus is. I feel like it is even less than Cleveland. 

 

It is less than Cleveland's. It's at 22%. https://columbusrecparks.com/nature/urban-forestry/tree-canopy-assessment/

20 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

 

It is less than Cleveland's. It's at 22%. https://columbusrecparks.com/nature/urban-forestry/tree-canopy-assessment/

Per the methodology of the article it's at 24.6%. Cincinnati is at 36.2% if anyone is curious. (If you give them an email address you can get access). 

 

 

 

 

Pretty strong east side west side difference in tree cover change over the last five years in Cleveland.