Ohio Tree City USA locations 1992: 165 Ohio communities
Whereas forests are traditionally thought of as a part of the rural environment, trees are now being recognized as an essential part of the urban landscape. Individual trees play important roles in improving urban properties, whether for beautification, recreation, or energy conservation.
As Ohio becomes increasingly urban, municipal officials strive to provide community services that will improve the quality of life for their citizens. Trees and other vegetation are enhancing many Ohio communities.
Municipal officials realize that a safe, healthy, and functional urban forest makes their community more livable. Communities have progressed from appreciating trees to actively managing the entire resource, with assistance from programs such as that offered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The National Arbor Day Foundation's TREE CITY USA award program recognizes municipalities that are competently managing their urban forest resource. Ohio has been the national leader in this program for the last 15 consecutive years. In 1996, Ohio's designated Tree City USA communities planted 50,000 shade and ornamental trees on municipal property, pruned 96,000 street and park trees and removed 18,000 hazardous trees. Their combined urban forestry expenditures totaled more than $26,900,000.
Ohio Tree City USA locations 1992: 165 Ohio communities
Surveys show that 2.5 trees are being planted by municipalities for every tree removed, while 1.6 trees are pruned for each tree planted. These figures not only reflect the important role that municipal officials believe urban vegetation can have on the livability of their communities, but also the sound condition of Ohio's urban forest resource.