How homeowners can help grow Akron’s urban tree canopy

Autumn in Ohio has begun to kiss the leaves of honeylocusts and maples, which means tree planting season is upon us! It’s the perfect time to contribute to the growth of our urban tree canopy, and some Akronites will be fortunate enough to reap the benefits of the City of Akron’s Master Tree Planting Plan, released in 2016. This plan aims to plant over 50,000 trees in order to meet a goal of 40% overall urban tree canopy coverage and achieve a fully stocked urban forest over a period of 20 years. Many of these trees will be planted on the tree lawns of private residences, beginning in areas that have the lowest tree canopy coverage.

Private property owners have the greatest potential impact on our urban canopy, with about 82% of the canopy growing on their lands, according to the 2020 State of the Canopy Report released by Davey Resource Group on behalf of the City of Akron. The tree plantings will benefit property owners and their greater communities in many ways. Trees provide priceless environmental benefits: they increase biodiversity, improve air and water quality, reduce erosion, and mitigate climate change. They also provide physical, mental, and public health benefits, such as increased physical activity, stress reduction and improved well-being, and noise and crime reduction.