Since the UFMP was officially adopted in April 2021, the community has begun implementing the initiatives detailed in the plan.  Any news or updates on this work by the City of Columbus will be included here.​
​​

ANNUAL REPORTS

The City of Columbus is dedicated to providing annual reports on the progress of UFMP implementation.  This is important to keeping the work from the plan in the forefront, as well as part of an effort to improve communication with the public (specifically Action 10: Institute a Plan to Regularly Measure Progress & Reassess Next Steps).  Read the 2-page annual reports for 2021, 2022 and 2023 in PDF format below.
​

tree protection codeS

One of the most significant actions recommended in the UFMP is to improve regulations to protect and preserve trees in Columbus.  The City is moving forward on working to improve these regulations, first on code related to public trees, with development regulations following.  

​Public Tree Code: City Council passed the new Public Tree Code on December, 11, 2023. ​Learn more here.
​​
​​Up Next - Tree Protection During Development: ​The City of Columbus is in the initial stages of beginning the process of addressing tree protection during development.  More information will be posted soon when it is available.

Ongoing UPDATES

In addition to the annual reports above, the City of Columbus is sharing more frequent email updates as well.  Past updates follow: 
SEPTEMBER 2024.  Implementation continues on the Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP), the first Citywide, strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Some recent updates:
  • Public Tree Code Resources Online: As of Aug. 1, the public tree code is now in effect! This summer, the Forestry section led 19 training sessions with stakeholders, training 400 people across City departments, private utilities, the development community and the tree care industry. Check out the resources online, including a Public Tree Plan template, updated standard notes and details and the Forestry permit. You can also check out the new public tree inventory map to see what trees are in your neighborhood. 

  • When You Need a Forestry Permit: If you are a Columbus resident, do you know when you need a Forestry permit?  A Forestry permit is needed whenever you work on or within the Critical Root Zone of a public tree. For example, if you want to prune or remove a street tree in front of your house or plant a tree in the tree lawn. You could also have a construction project, like a water or sewer line repair, that could damage a street tree. The Forestry section needs to know about any potential impacts to public trees so fill out a quick permit before doing any work in the tree lawn! (The tree lawn is the grassy area between the road and the sidewalk.) There is no application fee.

  • Tree Summit held at Columbus ArborFest: Columbus ArborFest was held at Whetstone Park, and it included the first Tree Summit, hosted by Green Columbus! Approximately 2,000 people attended Columbus ArborFest. Forestry staff demonstrated climbing, equipment operation and tree planting to attendees, who also enjoyed a craft with branches pruned from Columbus trees.

  • Plant a Tree This Fall: Did you know fall is a great time to plant a tree? Our Forestry staff typically begin planting street trees in mid-October so now is the time to start thinking about planting your own tree! Before you start digging, 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. Watch some quick and helpful tips from our Forestry section about planting your own tree!

  • Get a Free Tree to Plant: Are you interested in planting more trees in your yard? Green Columbus is offering a free tree giveaway! You can reserve a free tree to pick up at their Linden tree nursery on Sept. 29, Dodge Community Center on Oct. 6 or Barack Community Center on Oct. 13. Sign up today while supplies last, and help improve Columbus’ tree canopy!

Check out recent media interviews related to the Urban Forestry Master Plan:
JUNE 2024.  Implementation continues on the Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP), the first Citywide, strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Some recent updates:
  • This spring, 1,832 trees were planted along streets and in parks to help improve Columbus’ tree canopy. Volunteers planted 88 of those trees at volunteer events, which is a great way to give back to our City and grow our tree canopy. 

  • Earth Day and Arbor Day community celebrations connected the community and educated attendees about the importance of conserving our natural environment, including trees! An Earth Day Celebration was held at Linden Park, where volunteers planted five trees, as well as pollinator plugs and seeds, and they picked up litter. On Arbor Day, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Director Bernita Reese spoke to fourth grade students from Lincoln Park Elementary School about why trees are important. The students later helped plant six new trees outside of Barack Community Center. Educating residents about the importance of trees of trees and our natural environment is a priority of the UFMP. 

Stockbridge Park
  • Stockbridge Park in the Far South neighborhood was reforested at the end of 2022. This was crucial since the Far South neighborhood is a priority area in the Urban Forestry Master Plan’s equity analysis. The 2,400 trees ranged in size and included 31 species native to Ohio, including hickories, buckeyes, dogwood, Eastern redcedar, tulip poplar, blackgum, spruce, pine, sycamore and six species of oaks. The 22-acre park off Lockbourne Road also features a paved walking loop, a playground, an open-air shelter, one pollinator habitat and two parking lots. Stockbridge was a pilot park reforestation for the department, and the intention is to reforest other parks using this model.
  • National nonprofit American Forests will be developing a deep-dive Tree Equity Score Analyzer (TESA) application for Columbus. This interactive map-based tool was created by American Forests to show how targeted tree plantings can improve health and well-being in areas with the greatest need. American Forests develops the TESA with input and direction from local stakeholders. TESA supports communities that want to dive deep into data-driven decision-making to find out where to plant trees to create the biggest impact and reach their tree equity goals, including customizable property-level planting plans. Over the next year, local nonprofit Green Columbus will engage the community to customize the TESA application for Columbus. Stay tuned for more details about this from Green Columbus.

  • Check out some educational watering tips for newly planted trees. Did you plant a tree in the last year? Central Ohio’s drought-like conditions can negatively affect trees that were planted last fall or this spring since they do not have established roots. If your tree looks like it is wilting, it most likely needs to be watered. If you planted your tree in the last year, put your hose by your tree for 10 minutes once a week to make sure it is receiving the water it needs to thrive. Water during the morning or evening to conserve water.
FEBRUARY 2024.  Data on Tree Canopy Cover Has Been Updated!   The City of Columbus and Franklin County have jointly unveiled the groundbreaking 2011-2021 Tree Canopy Assessment, marking the first comprehensive examination of central Ohio’s trees and the evolving tree canopy over the past decade. The tree canopy, representing the percentage of land covered by trees, is an important metric for gauging changes in the region’s urban forest. The Tree Canopy Assessment examines the change in tree canopy from 2011 to 2021, which was the most recent data available at the time of the study.  Get more information and read the full report here. 
DECEMBER 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:

​Columbus City Council passed the brand-new public tree code! The new code strengthens protections for trees growing on City-owned property, like street trees and park trees.
  • If a public tree has to be removed, steps are required to make up for the loss of that tree—a practice called “tree mitigation.” Mitigation can take the form of replanting or payment into a tree fund, at an inch-for-inch rate. Every diameter inch of public trees that are removed will now result in the same inches replanted, a substantial increase in required tree plantings from previous policies. For example, a 20-inch diameter tree will now require 10 2-inch trees to be replanted. 
    • Forestry staff will also inspect trees during construction to enforce best practices.
    • A companion manual carrying the force of code will be finalized in 2024.
        This new public tree code code supports the City’s canopy goals, particularly to stop net canopy loss by 2030. Read a
​        summary of the changes, as well as the finalized code.  
​
  • The department will launch an urban tree assistance program in spring 2024. This program is in partnership with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. Five awards of $2,000 each will be made to local organizations to plant trees on private property in Columbus. This assistance program will be promoted in January, and the application will be open for the month of February. After the proposals are scored, the funding will be awarded in March. Apply by Feb. 28!

  • Green Columbus successfully gave away trees to 1,500 Columbus residents in October! At the three giveaway days alone in Hilltop, Linden and Southside, Green Columbus distributed 1,500 trees. Hundreds more trees were distributed via partnering events, conservation projects and community organizations throughout October.
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. 
  • 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!
JUNE 2023.  Progress continues on the City’s Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP), the first Citywide, strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Some recent progress includes: 
  • This spring, 1,832 trees were planted along streets and in parks to help improve Columbus’ tree canopy. Volunteers planted 88 of those trees at volunteer events, which is a great way to give back to our City and grow our tree canopy. 
    ​
  • Earth Day and Arbor Day community celebrations connected the community and educated attendees about the importance of conserving our natural environment, including trees! An Earth Day Celebration was held at Linden Park, where volunteers planted five trees, as well as pollinator plugs and seeds, and they picked up litter. On Arbor Day, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Director Bernita Reese spoke to fourth grade students from Lincoln Park Elementary School about why trees are important. The students later helped plant six new trees outside of Barack Community Center. Educating residents about the importance of trees of trees and our natural environment is a priority of the UFMP. 

  • Stockbridge Park in the Far South neighborhood was reforested at the end of 2022. This was crucial since the Far South neighborhood is a priority area in the Urban Forestry Master Plan’s equity analysis. The 2,400 trees ranged in size and included 31 species native to Ohio, including hickories, buckeyes, dogwood, Eastern redcedar, tulip poplar, black gum, spruce, pine, sycamore and six species of oaks. The 22-acre park off Lockbourne Road also features a paved walking loop, a playground, an open-air shelter, one pollinator habitat and two parking lots. Stockbridge was a pilot park reforestation for the department, and the intention is to reforest other parks using this model.

  • National nonprofit American Forests will be developing a deep-dive Tree Equity Score Analyzer (TESA) application for Columbus. This interactive map-based tool was created by American Forests to show how targeted tree plantings can improve health and well-being in areas with the greatest need. American Forests develops the TESA with input and direction from local stakeholders. TESA supports communities that want to dive deep into data-driven decision-making to find out where to plant trees to create the biggest impact and reach their tree equity goals, including customizable property-level planting plans. Over the next year, local nonprofit Green Columbus will engage the community to customize the TESA application for Columbus. Stay tuned for more details about this from Green Columbus.
    ​
  • Check out some educational watering tips for newly planted trees. Did you plant a tree in the last year? Central Ohio’s drought-like conditions can negatively affect trees that were planted last fall or this spring since they do not have established roots. If your tree looks like it is wilting, it most likely needs to be watered. If you planted your tree in the last year, put your hose by your tree for 10 minutes once a week to make sure it is receiving the water it needs to thrive. Water during the morning or evening to conserve water.
DECEMBER 2022
  • The department’s work to update Columbus' public tree code continues! The public tree code and Tree Technical Manual are being finalized. We presented proposed changes in an interdepartmental meeting and are holding follow-up listening sessions with other City departments to work through implementation logistics. These efforts will ensure the updated public tree code can be enforced effectively to protect public trees in Columbus. We will have more information to share with you in 2023! This supports Action 15 as well as Action 9. 

  • Columbus' Urban Heat Island report is available! Volunteers collected data on Aug. 12 to map the hottest areas in the city. We will be using the heat study data in our new urban tree canopy assessment, which will be released next year. See the results from the report (PDF). 

  • The City’s street tree inventory data collection is now 90 percent complete! We are excited to share this finalized data with you in 2023. 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, supporting Actions 4 and 8.

  • We are finishing up the City’s fall tree plantings. To date, 80 percent of these tree plantings were in low and middle income areas. This relates to Action 6.

  • The tree giveaway hosted by Green Columbus in October was extremely successful! More than 2,500 FREE trees were given to more than 1,500 Columbus residents to plant in their own yards. The department hosted a tree giveaway at Barack Community Center, which was the first time the City hosted a free tree giveaway in support of the South Side trees initiative. It was a successful collaboration—more than 400 trees were given away to residents at the event. Huge thanks to everyone who planted a tree! This relates to Action 5.
SEPTEMBER 2022
  • Columbus Recreation and Parks Department recently hired a new City forester! Steve Horhut came to the department from Pennsylvania and has worked in the Forestry section for the past year. Our new City forester will lead Columbus in implementing the UFMP, building capacity for Citywide coordination on our urban forestry goals. This relates to Action 12 of the UFMP to expand the size and scope of urban forestry leadership.

  • The department was honored to recently receive a Conservation Stewardship Award from the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District for the urban tree canopy assessment! This project analyzes change in Columbus’ tree canopy over time, as well as the tree canopy cover across all of Franklin County. This award recognizes strong conservation ethics and excellent conservation implementation.

  • On Aug. 12, 78 volunteers drove 243.25 square miles collecting data for the heat island mapping project with Columbus GreenSpot. This data will be used to develop temperature and heat index maps for Columbus and parts of Franklin County. Columbus has the fastest-growing heat island of 60 major cities studied according to Climate Central, and the heat index maps will help inform strategies to reduce the heat island effect in Columbus. Results will be shared with the community soon.

  • Did you know fall is a great time to plant a tree? Before you plant a tree in your yard, 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. Check out this short video with tips from the Forestry section on how to plant a tree! Planting trees on private property is crucial to Action 6, which emphasizes tree planting to help reach our goal of increasing Columbus’ canopy cover to 40 percent by 2050!​

  • Ready to plant a tree in your yard? Green Columbus is hosting three FREE tree giveaways in October! You can pick up a tree on Oct. 1 (Hilltop nursery), Oct. 8 (Linden nursery) or Oct. 15 (Barack Community Center). The giveaway at Barack Community Center is the first time the City has hosted a free tree giveaway in support of the South Side trees initiative. 
JUNE 2022
  • 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 [email protected] 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.