Cork Board
   



In July of 2004 the city of Bowling Green hired its first Municipal Arborist. The position, created with the advice and guidance of the Ohio DNR , is charged with planning and directing activities relating to the care and maintenance of trees on city property. And that’s not a small number of trees; Bowling Green’s ‘urban forest’ includes approximately 8,000 trees located within public right-of-ways, parks and other green spaces.

In the short time the position has existed, the arborist has worked with other city staff to develop an urban forestry management plan
 

for the city that encompasses a master planting list, tree-trimming and removal specifications, standard contracts for bidding, and new forms and informational brochures for the public. With the motto, "The right tree in the right place", the city now has a tree planting blue print that will help diversify the number of tree species in the city, and sets policies to help in preventing future outbreaks of invasive insects and diseases.

A detailed inventory of all city trees has been collected as well, listing their location, identification, diameter, condition rating, maintenance needs, clearance and utilities issues, and other considerations. Each tree is rated on trunk condition, growth rate, structure, insects and disease, crown development, and life expectancy, and placed in one of seven categories based on its overall condition: excellent, very good, good, fair, poor, critical or dead. This thorough inventory is now a valuable resource for use in developing plans for the future of Bowling Green urban forestry.

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