Urban Tree Canopy in Grandview
Sustainable Grandview believes a robust tree canopy provides many environmental and health benefits. We produced a report in July, 2020, summarizing our assessment of and recommendations for Grandview's tree program:
Background and purpose:
In March 2020, Matt Jordan and Brian Will of Sustainable Grandview met with Councilmember Melanie Houston to discuss her interest in better understanding the Grandview Heights community tree program and how it compares to those programs of other nearby communities such as Bexley. Mr. Will offered to undertake a related research effort.
This memo outlines Mr. Will’s findings and provides several recommendations based on this research. Sustainable Grandview’s goal with this effort is to encourage and enable the City to continue to invest in the program’s strengths, as well as address comparative weaknesses. With a bit more focus, and at next to no additional cost, the City could quickly become a leader in urban forestry in Ohio.
Recommendations:
Full report (pdf file):
Sustainable Grandview believes a robust tree canopy provides many environmental and health benefits. We produced a report in July, 2020, summarizing our assessment of and recommendations for Grandview's tree program:
Background and purpose:
In March 2020, Matt Jordan and Brian Will of Sustainable Grandview met with Councilmember Melanie Houston to discuss her interest in better understanding the Grandview Heights community tree program and how it compares to those programs of other nearby communities such as Bexley. Mr. Will offered to undertake a related research effort.
This memo outlines Mr. Will’s findings and provides several recommendations based on this research. Sustainable Grandview’s goal with this effort is to encourage and enable the City to continue to invest in the program’s strengths, as well as address comparative weaknesses. With a bit more focus, and at next to no additional cost, the City could quickly become a leader in urban forestry in Ohio.
Recommendations:
- Assess baseline tree canopy for Grandview Heights and establish goals. The council and staff should consider establishing a goal of an incremental net increase in the tree canopy each year for the next five to ten years, and a long-term goal to achieve a 40% or more tree canopy. Consideration would need to be given to the annual tree mortality rate, and perhaps a need for adjustments to City codes related to landscaping and retaining trees for new construction projects. Serious thought might be given to require carbon offsets for any large trees that are removed within City boundaries. Sadly when land clearing began for the Grandview Crossing project, hundreds of trees were cut down from the site. How will those trees and their environmental benefits be replaced?
- Require native trees be planted: When approving new construction projects within the City, Grandview Heights might wish to consider requiring the planting of native trees at the new building sites, especially those that will be able to withstand climate change (see Appendix 2).
- The City takes the lead in planting trees. The parks district can set the example by planting more native trees in public areas and host annual Earth Day and Arbor Day events.
- Engage the community. City staff could enhance education for residents about the urban forestry program and how the City might assist residents in planting and maintaining trees on or near their properties. It is recommended that information provided on the urban forestry page for Grandview Heights be updated and expanded, possibly by adding information about the benefits of native trees, the role of climate change and heat islands, and rolling out the new tree inventory tracking tool. Also, information how a resident can apply for membership on the Shade Tree Commission?
- The Grandview Heights council and staff might consider partnering with Sustainable Grandview and FLOW to offer free trees to residents and coordinate annual tree plantings in public areas, such as Wyman Woods. Also, promote the annual observance of Arbor Day within the community and encourage planting of native trees (the next Arbor Day is April 30, 2021).
- To demonstrate interest and promote progress toward tree canopy goals, the council and public might benefit from an annual “State of the Urban Forest” presentation by the parks department. The same program could be presented a few weeks later at the library in partnership with Sustainable Grandview.
- Pursue national recognition for urban forestry program. Like Bexley, Westerville, and Upper Arlington, consider pursuing a goal to achieve additional national recognition for the City’s urban tree program.
Full report (pdf file):
| grandview_heights_tree_program__analysis_-_final.pdf |
