The Urban Forestry Section
216.664.3104 - Weekdays 8 am to 4:30 pm
The goal of Urban Forestry is to provide a safe urban forest while striving to preserve its natural beauty. This office's activities include the pruning of street trees, the removal of trees that are a risk to public safety and the planting of street trees (when funding is available).
Emerald Ash Borer Information
The City of Cleveland Urban Forestry Section is removing all ash trees in the right-of-way. The ash trees are infested with a non-native beetle: the Emerald Ash Borer. The borer came from China and was found in Michigan in June 2002. Since then it has spread to Canada and more than thirty US states. The beetle only infests ash trees (Fraxinus genus).
There are pesticide treatments designed to kill the borer before or during an infestation. These treatments can be expensive and are only effective when administered repeatedly throughout the life of the tree. This is not a cost-effective option for the ash trees in the city’s right-of-way. It is a known fact that all untreated ash trees will die.
For those with ash trees, the city recommends contacting an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate them and to discuss options.
Informational Links
New Tree Requests
Once ash trees are removed, homeowners can call the Urban Forestry Section at 216.664.3104 for a replacement tree. The intake department will record all requests in a database. Trees are planted when a funding source is identified.
Trees and Sidewalks
Homeowners with time-sensitive needs for sidewalk repair, who are not part of the 50/50 Sidewalk Program or the Tree Damaged Sidewalk Program, can request assistance from Urban Forestry. First, a sidewalk replacement permit must be obtained from the Bureau of Sidewalks at 216.664.7434.
Once a permit is in hand, the homeowner may call Urban Forestry to schedule a tree and root assessment. In order for the Forester to assess the roots, damaged sidewalk panels must be removed. A Forester will complete the assessment within 48 hours of sidewalk panel removal.
If the tree cannot be retained during construction, Urban Forestry will remove it. If roots need to be removed, that will be scheduled after the Ohio Utility Protection Service has marked the site to avoid contact with underground utilities.
The responsibility for the removal of the damaged sidewalk as well as costs associated with the installation of new cement is the responsibility of the property owner.
Threats From Insects
This division will remove wasp, hornet or bee nests from city-owned trees if found to pose a threat to public safety.
Tree Roots in Sewers
Urban Forestry does not remove a tree when roots have made their way into water or sewer pipes. Much like gutters should be cleaned of debris to prevent gutter overflow, each homeowner is responsible for annual maintenance of their sewer laterals. This is the pipe that connects the sewer pipes in the house to the main sewer pipe, which is usually at the street. Because the pipes are buried and out of sight, homeowners usually don’t have any clues to potential problems in their laterals until it is too late. -More
