Cleveland Tree Coalition

is striving to create a healthy, vibrant, sustainable, and equitable urban forest by working collaboratively to implement the Cleveland Tree Plan. ABOUT THE CLEVELAND TREE PLAN
Cleveland is in the midst of citywide neighborhood revitalization to improve the quality of life for all citizens, and improving tree canopy is an important element in that transformation. Trees are a critical piece of our community: trees make us healthier and safer, add economic value to our homes and businesses, help us meet environmental challenges, and provide critical wildlife habitat. Cleveland was once nicknamed The Forest City, but the city has lost about half its tree canopy since the 1950s. Each year an estimated 97 acres of tree canopy is lost. At this rate, canopy will drop to 14% by 2040 unless we act now. The Cleveland Tree Plan is a community-wide collaboration to rebuild the urban forest through partnership. A growing body of research and documentation validates the critical role that a robust urban tree canopy plays in providing an environment that contributes to residents’ health and economic well-being as well as helping to meet the many environmental and ecological challenges that impact their daily lives. Trees improve public health and safety: By improving air quality and reducing the heat island effect of paving and buildings, trees have been proven to improve oxygen levels, reduce asthma and other respiratory issues, and reduce violence in neighborhoods as tree canopy increases. Trees add economic value to residential properties and businesses: Trees and landscaping around residential and business properties reduce heating and cooling needs, as well as increase business traffic in commercial districts. Trees meet environmental challenges: Trees slow the flow and quantity of rainwater that enters storm drains and reduce the quantity of pollutants that enter our waterways. Additionally, the ability of trees to absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon helps combat the increasing impacts of a changing climate. Trees improve our natural world and its inhabitants: A larger tree canopy increases urban wildlife habitat for song birds, small mammals, and pollinators. A healthy urban forest is a critical component of wildlife, air, water, soil, and other conservation efforts.