The City of Lakewood’s Forestry team maintains all of the trees on public property, including those in parks, in public areas, and on tree lawns. Trees are removed when they become a danger to the public due to disease, death, or damage.
As the city’s aging trees begin to die – many of them planted around the same time 100 years ago – many of the warm and inviting canopies have sadly disappeared. The City’s Forestry Department and Lakewood Tree Task Force have developed a comprehensive strategy to improve the tree canopy and add diversity to the variety of species around the city. [Stats and figures need updating]
The City of Lakewood values its tree canopy and works year-round to maintain it through hazard assessments and proper care. With over 13,600 trees, the Urban Forest is a living ecosystem that requires careful management.
Only trees with severe structural defects and high safety risks are removed, and removal plans are developed by the Division of Streets and Forestry. Healthy large trees are not cut down; whenever possible, pruning is used to preserve trees while ensuring safety.
Each spring, our team identifies trees that must be removed. Each tree flagged meets multiple hazard conditions, such as advanced decay, trunk cracking, poor branch attachments, storm damage, or infestation, and all are located in high-traffic areas where risks to people and vehicles are greatest.
Some removals are due to root and trunk decay caused by fungi such as Ustulina deusta, confirmed in Lakewood by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. These infections can lead to rapid structural failure, especially during storms.
The City maintains a detailed inventory of potential hazard trees and strategically removes them each year to protect public safety while promoting a healthy, diverse, and resilient tree canopy.
