Columbus City planning to plant 300,000 trees

Mayor Michael B. Coleman, along with city council President Andrew J. Ginther, kicked off the Branch Out Columbus campaign at Weinland Park on Tuesday. Per a recent Columbus Dispatch article, the Branch Out Columbus initiative will aim to plant 300,000 trees across the city of Columbus by 2020. The initiative comes as a recent study demonstrated the city of Columbus had only an average of 22% tree canopy cover. For comparison, the Dispatch article noted similar cities across the U.S. had much higher tree canopy cover: Charlotte, NC (46%); Pittsburgh, PA (42%); Cincinnati, OH (39%); Washington, DC (35%); Minneapolis, MN (31%); and Austin, TX (30%).

Increasing tree canopy cover plays large roles in providing key ecological services including reducing stormwater runoff and fauna habitiat, among others. Economically, improving tree cover reduces energy costs and can increase property values. Additionally, a percentage of the total 300,000 trees to be planted will offset the effects of tree loss from severe weather and invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer.

Moreover, the city will be providing rebates for residents who plant native trees as well as providing urban tree nurseries. For more information, see the Branch Out Columbus website at http://www.columbus.gov/branchout/.