TREES IN THE CITY Why would we want trees in the city? Trees are beautiful and they improve the quality of life for people in many ways.  Trees help clean the air of harmful pollutants,  trees help stabilize the land,  trees help cool the hot summer air in urban areas,  tree-lined streets discourage speeding traffic,  trees provide a home for wildlife,  trees are pleasant to look at and give people a sense of well-being. Well cared for trees in parks and along city streets make it apparent that people care about their town.

The Tree Board meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
in the Health Department conference room
(2059 Sherman Ave.--enter from rear parking area)

Call 458-4600 for more information.

Visitors--whether simply curious or eager to volunteer--are always welcome!

Tree Board programs are solely funded by private DONATIONS from individuals and corporations.
All donations, large and small, are gratefully accepted (and tax deductible)!
Please make checks payable to the Norwood Tree Board and send them to:

Norwood Tree Board
c/o Donna Laake, Norwood Health Dept.
2059 Sherman Avenue
Norwood, OH 45212

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Learn more about the Norwood Tree Board and its activities:

History and Mission

A Tree in Every Front Yard

Recent events

Montgomery Road gets some streetscaping !

The Tree Board hopes to get Norwood designated a Tree City USA.

VOLUNTEER to help!

An Arbor Day celebration is held each April in Norwood.

Links of interest to tree and plant lovers! (Includes Christmas Tree information.)

Books about trees, especially for children.

Caring for your TREES!

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NORWOOD TREE BOARD HISTORY AND MISSION

The Norwood Tree Board was established by the Norwood City Council at its April 25th, 2000 meeting.

The Board has adopted as its mission: To provide for the preservation of heritage or historic trees, care of trees on City property, consideration of trees and related greenery during development and construction, and to establish landscape standards within the City of Norwood.

The members of the Norwood Tree Board are Linda Prues, René Dierker, and Carole Kassem, Brian Watson, and Randy Burgess.

The Board is advised by Donna Laake , Norwood Health Commissioner.

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Arbor Day 2007

  Takes place on Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
at the Norwood Community Center
(corner of Carter and Courtland)

Events planned for Arbor Day 2007 are:

• Tree Giveaway
• Plant Swap
• Bid -n- Buy

Call 458-4600 for more information!

Past Poster Contest Winners

2003 -- Christy McGuinnus Williams Avenue Elementary

2004 -- Laura Federspiel Immaculate Conception, 6th Grade

Mark your calendar NOW for next year's event!
Saturday, April 27th, 2008

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For more about Arbor Day, check out these links: 'Tree cities': America's new urban models and The History of Arbor Day

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If a Tree Board is successful according to the standards of the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program , a city may be named a Tree City USA. These requirements are reprinted below for your information:

1. A Tree Board or Department
Someone must be legally responsible for the care and management of the community's trees. This may be a professional forester or arborist, an entire forestry department, or a volunteer tree board. Often, both a professional staff and advisory tree board are present, which is a good goal for most communities. A tree board, or commission, is a group of concerned volunteer citizens charged by ordinance with developing and administering a comprehensive tree management program. Balanced, broad-based community involvement is encouraged. Boards function best if not composed entirely of tree-related professionals such as forestry professors, nursery operators, arborists, etc. Fresh ideas and different perspectives are added by citizens with an interest in trees that is entirely avocational. Limited, staggered terms of service will prevent stagnation or burnout, while at the same time assuring continuity.

2. A Tree Care Ordinance
The tree ordinance must designate the establishment of a tree board or forestry department and give this body the responsibility for writing and implementing an annual community forestry work plan. Beyond that, the ordinance should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular community. A tree ordinance provides an opportunity to set good policy and back it with the force of law when necessary. Ideally, it will provide clear guidance for planting, maintaining and removing trees from streets, parks and other public places.

3. A Community Forestry Program With An Annual Budget Of At Least $2 Per Capita
Evidence is required that the community has established a community forestry program that is supported by an annual budget of at least $2 per capita. At first, this may seem like an impossible barrier to some communities. However, a little investigation usually reveals that more than this amount is already being spent by the municipality on its trees. If not, this may signal serious neglect that will cost far more in the long run. In such a case, working toward Tree City USA recognition can be used to re-examine the community's budget priorities and re-direct funds to properly care for its tree resource before it is too late. Ideally, this standard will be met by focusing funding on an annual work plan developed after an inventory is completed and a report is approved by the city council. Such a plan will address species diversity, planting needs, hazardous trees, insect and disease problems and a pattern of regular care such as pruning and watering.

4. An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
This is the least challenging and probably the most enjoyable standard to accomplish. An Arbor Day celebration can be simple and brief or an all-day or all-week observation. It can be a simple tree planting event or an award ceremony that honors leading tree planters. For children, Arbor Day may be their only exposure to the green world or a springboard to discussions about the complex issue of environmental quality. The benefits of Arbor Day go far beyond the shade and beauty of new trees for the next generation. Arbor Day is a golden opportunity for publicity and to educate homeowners about proper tree care. Utility companies can join in to promote planting small trees beneath power lines or being careful when digging. Smokey Bear's fire prevention messages can be worked into the event, as can conservation education about soil erosion or the need to protect wildlife habitat. Still another way to develop Arbor Day is to link it with a tree-related festival. Some that are currently celebrated include dogwood festivals, locust blossom festivals and Macon, Georgia's Cherry Blossom Festival that annually brings more than $4.25 million into the local economy. In meeting the four standards, help is available! The urban and community forestry coordinator in your state forester's office will be happy to work with communities in taking these first steps toward better community forestry.

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Montgomery Road Gets Some Streetscaping!

In 2002, in conjunction with the repaving of the southern one-third of Montgomery Road, the Tree Board placed 14 trees along the street. Eighteen planters were purchased to be placed in groups of three. These were filled and placed in the Summer of 2003.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were used for this purpose.

We have received additional funds in the current CDBG funding cycle (2003-2005) to continue and expand this project to other areas of Norwood. More trees were planted in the Fall of 2003 as well as additional planters and other streetscape improvements both along Montgomery Road and in the Worth Avenue business district.

Watch Norwood "grow"!

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VOLUNTEER TO HELP NORWOOD'S TREES!

To volunteer to take a more active role in Norwood Tree Board activities, contact René Dierker (rdierker@mariemontschools.org), Linda Prues (631-7936), Carole Kassem (731-0992), or Donna Laake at 458-4600 for more information.

Please contact the Mayor’s office at 458-4501 or your City Council representative if you are interested in becoming a Tree Board member.

Wood Nymphs and Sprites are sought to help care for Norwood’s trees and flowers!

In mythology, Nymphs and Sprites are responsible for certain trees and plants. As the Norwood streetscape program grows, so does the need for friends to care for the trees and flowers. As a volunteer, you’ll be assigned a few trees or planters to water and weed regularly.  Contact Rene Dierker (rdierker@mariemontschools.org) or call 458-4600.

Thank you to all those Nymphs and Sprites already caring for our community flora!

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MEMORIAL TREES

Plant a tree in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion. The Tree Board will help you select a tree and a location. Your donation may also include a plaque to designate your tree. We are currently working on changes to this program to make the donation process easier. Please contact any Tree Board member or Donna Laake for additional information.

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ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION POSTER CONTEST
 Each year, the National Arbor Day Foundation holds a 5th grade poster contest.
The winning poster and the contest theme are combined and made into a large (22X34 in) poster.
The winning poster is distributed throughout the country to help celebrate the coming spring’s Arbor Day.

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Tree Board and Boy Scout volunteers weed tree plot at Public Works

Fall 2001

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A Tree in Every Front Yard

The Norwood Tree Board encourages everyone to plant trees, especially in your front yards where everyone can enjoy them. To help you beautify your yard and your neighborhood, the Tree Board can provide you with information on which trees grow best in this area, how to plant your tree, where best to place your new tree, and how to care for your tree. Please send a self-addressed stamped business-sized envelope to the Norwood Tree Board, c/o 2059 Sherman Ave., Norwood, Ohio 45212 to receive a copy of this information.

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Tree New Mexico has some fun games for kids and adults. Check it out at their site .

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TREE CARE TIPS

Water newly planted trees and trees in drought conditions.
Established trees don't need to be watered when the rainfall is normal.

Spread mulch around trees. Mulch stifles weeds and conserves moisture.

Prune carefully. Removing trees' diseased or dead branches will improve the trees' overall health.
It's a job best left to arborists.

Never top a tree.
It damages the branch structure, allows entry points for decay and doesn't slow a tree's growth.

Source: Tree Care Industry Association

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Links to More Tree and Plant Information

How to plant a tree

Gardening Tips from Denny McKeown

Landscaping to attract birds

Tree Link

Real Trees 4 Kids

Global ReLeaf

Everything You Need to Know About Your Holiday Tree

Christmas Tree Facts

Christmas Tree Facts and Legends

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disclaimer: the City of Norwood does not endorse sites linked herein, links are provided for information purposes only

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