Urban Forestry in Ashland
Urban forestry refers to the trees and shrubbery located in an urban setting and includes both public and private trees. The urban forest tree canopy is part of a community’s infrastructure, providing valuable environmental, economic and social benefits. Well managed urban forests pay back nearly three times the cost to plant and maintain them.
CITY TREE MANAGEMENT
Trees located along our City roads and in City parks are subjected to many stresses that affect their longevity and health. As such, these trees and shrubs require regular inspection and maintenance to thrive in an urban environment. The City of Ashland Public Works Department is responsible for monitoring and maintaining trees and shrubs on public landsin City right of ways and parks. City maintenance and upkeep includes This work includes planting, routine pruning, pruning for hazard limb removal, hazard tree removal, and storm related clean-up. City Ordinance 454 outlines additional City duties related to urban forestry.
The City's Tree Management Plan developed in 2017 provides a comprehensive inventory of the City's public area trees and will be used as a guide for tree maintenance planting. A few noteworthy facts from the plan are as follows:
Tree Management Plan Findings
- 4,348 total trees (3,695 located along City right of ways and 683 in City parks)
- Most common species: Maple varieties (20.3%) (Green Ash 13.3%)
- 90 distinct species recorded
- 87% of Ashland's trees are in fair or better condition
- $376,977 in annual environmental benefits
- Total replacement cost for all trees is $2,951,447
FREE TREES
Please contact the City Public Works Department if you would like your name placed on the Tree Planting Request List or if you wish to plant your own tree in City right of way or for any City tree related question or concern.