Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan
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  • The Facts
    • Tree Canopy Overall
    • City-Managed Trees
    • Why Trees?
  • The Process
  • Canopy by Neighborhood
  • Updates
  • Get Involved

A phased PRocess

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Fall 2019 /Winter 2020 primarily focused on project start up logistics, creating a Project Team to serve as a steering committee, development of an engagement plan to reach as many for input as possible, and the initiation of data analysis (on tree canopy cover, public tree inventory data, review of policies and plans already in place. 

Winter/Spring 2020 is all about engagement.  An Advisory Group of 100+ organizations, agencies, departments, neighborhood representatives, etc. has been created and will be led through a series of workshops to explore existing conditions, challenges in the community and ideas for solutions, partnerships and more.  

In addition to the Advisory Group, a public meeting was held on March 4th to provide an avenue to hear from Columbus residents.  A summary of the event along with a copy of the presentation will be made available very soon.

And the Project Team also offered come to you.  For those interested in this project, our team put on presentations to small groups across the city.  Unfortunately, this was only an option for a limited time, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis.

Spring/Summer 2020 is the time for synthesizing all the input that has been collected, analyzed, and learned into a picture of what we have currently in a State of the Urban Forest report, the community's vision and goals, and a succinct Action Plan on how to get there.  

Get an update on where we are now by clicking here.
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SOURCES THAT WILL INFORM THE PLAN

​Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Assessment
An urban tree canopy (UTC) assessment is an analysis of the amount of tree canopy that covers an area, as seen from aerial photos during summer months (when leaves are on the trees).  UTC is expressed in a percent coverage of total land.  The first full UTC done for Columbus was completed in 2015 using 2013 aerial imagery.  

City Inventory of Public Trees
The City of Columbus maintains a complete inventory of all public trees, including street and parks trees. This information is collected by physically visiting each tree on public land and collecting multiple data on that tree and is stored and regularly updated in a GIS-based tree management software.In 1998, the City of Columbus completed an inventory of the city-managed street and park trees.

Plans, Policy & Regulations Review
Review of existing plans and initiatives already in place, as well as city codes, regulations and policies impacting tree canopy in Columbus.
Community Input
Extensive input from the community will also provide valuable information in the development of this plan.  This will be collected through three Advisory Group workshops, multiple one-on-one interviews, a public meeting, and online comments through the project website.   
  • Project Team steering committee
  • Advisory Group workshops
  • One-on-one Interviews
  • Let's Talk Trees public meeting
  • Presentations to small groups around the city (let us know if you'd like us to speak to your group!)

​Urban Forestry Operations Review
A review of internal city operations related to trees and tree work is underway to identify areas of improvement and increase efficiencies.



project team

Andrew Williams
Ann Aubry
Brad Westall
Brandi Whetstone
Brian Kinzelman
Claus Eckert
Craig Seeds
Emerald Hernandez
Erin Beck
Jackie Yeoman
Jenny Gulick
Jim Gates
Jim Long
Joe Gregory
John Bowers
Joseph Reidy
Karla Rothan
Kelsey Ellingsen
Kerry Gray
Kimber Perfect
Laura Fay
Lisa Bowers
Matt Leasure
Paul Freedman
Rachel Comte
Rich Simpson
Rosalie Hendon
Scott Ulrich
Stephen Matthews
Steve Cothrel
Terrie TerMeer
Troy Euton
Tyler Stevenson
City of Columbus - Public Services
City of Columbus - Public Utilities
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
MKSK Studios
Green Columbus
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry)
City of Columbus - Neighborhoods
City of Columbus - Mayor's Office
City of Columbus - Development
Urban Canopy Works
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry)
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry)
Davey Resource Group
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry - GIS)
Wagenbrenner Development
Recreation & Parks Commission
Legislative Aide to President Pro Tem Brown
Davey Resource Group
City of Columbus - Mayor's Office
Central Ohio Watershed Council & Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW)
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry
Designing Local
City of Columbus - Building & Zoning
Urban Canopy Works
AEP Forestry Regional Supervisor
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks
City of Columbus - Public Health
Ohio State University
Upper Arlington Parks & Forestry, Representative of Columbus Tree Subcommission
Recreation & Parks Commission
City of Columbus - Recreation & Parks (Forestry)
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry

advisory Group

A large group of approximately 100 people representing neighborhoods, nonprofits, academia, private sector businesses, area commissions from across the city and multiple city and county departments have been asked to participate in three shops this winter that will serve as yet another avenue of input to dictate the direction of this plan.  
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First Advisory Group Workshop - The Trees - January 30, 2020
  • Meeting Notes / Input Summary (PDF)
  • Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
  • Handout​​
Second Advisory Group Workshop - The Players - March 5, 2020
  • Meeting Notes / Input Summary (PDF)
  • Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
  • Handout​​
Third Advisory Group Workshop - The Management Approach - April 2, 2020 (VIRTUAL MEETING)
  • Meeting Notes / Input Summary (PDF)
  • Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
  • Zoom Recording of Webinar

5th by Northwest Area Commission
AEP Ohio
American Society of Consulting Arborists
American Society of Landscape Architects (Ohio Chapter)
Building Industry Association
Building Services Review Committee
Builders' Exchange of Central Ohio
Central Ohio Hospital Association
Central Ohio PRISM
Central Ohio Watershed Council
City of Bexley
City of Columbus
  - Building & Zoning Services
  - City Council
  - Development
  - Mayor's Office
  - Nature Preserves Advisory Council
  - Neighborhoods
  - Public Health
  - Public Safety

  - Public Service
  - Public Utilities
  - Recreation and Parks Commission
City of Columbus Land Bank
City of Dublin
City of Gahanna
City of New Albany
City of Westerville
City of Worthington
Clintonville Area Commission
Columbia Gas
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
Columbus Chamber of Commerce
Columbus City Schools
​Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Columbus Realtors 
Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Columbus State Community College
Davey Resource Group
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Dawes Arboretum
Defense Supply Center Columbus
Designing Local
Edwards Communities Development Co.
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​Far East Area Commission
Far South Area Commission
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Land Bank - COCIC
Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
Franklinton Area Commission
Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed
Greater South East Area Commission
Greenlawn Cemetery
Livingston Avenue Area Commission
Mideast Area Commission
Midwest Biodiversity Institute
Milo-Grogan Area Commission
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Ohio Environmental Council 
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Ohio State University
OSU Extension Master Gardeners
South Linden Area Commission
Southwest Area Commission
The Columbus Foundation Green Funds
University Area Commission
Urban Canopy Works
US Forest Service 
US Green Building Council - Ohio Chapter
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  • Home
  • The Facts
    • Tree Canopy Overall
    • City-Managed Trees
    • Why Trees?
  • The Process
  • Canopy by Neighborhood
  • Updates
  • Get Involved