CITY OF AURORA TREE PROGRAM

Aurora’s trees provide shade and beautify our streets and parks.  They also clean the air, moderate climate, conserve water, increase property values, and shelter and feed wildlife.  In addition to these environmental and economic benefits, trees also provide a social benefit through creating a sense of calm and well-being in an urban setting.  For these reasons, city trees are an investment worthy of proper and dedicated care. 

The City Arborist is responsible for the enforcement of the Tree Ordinance (this code regulates all aspects of tree care including planting, removal, and pruning operations, as well as tree protection), and overseeing all tree care activities for trees on City property.  City property includes parks, streets, wooded areas, rights-of-ways, and conservation areas.  The City Arborist also reviews and approves landscape plans for new developments, and responds to a myriad of resident questions and concerns.

Program Summary

Currently the City is responsible for the maintenance of nearly 8,000 street and park/facility trees.  Tree maintenance includes everything from planting, pruning, removal, to keeping current on the latest care and control methods. 

Aurora’s Tree Program consists of these basic aspects:

1.        Annual Tree Action Plan

2.        Street and Park Tree Planting Activities

3.        Street and Park Tree Maintenance Activities

4.        Street and Park Tree Inventory and database management

5.        The Tree Commission

6.        The Tree Ordinance

7.        An informed and supportive public

Seasonal Activities

Winter

• large tree pruning and removals, stump grinding
• training pruning of smaller trees

Spring

• new tree lawn and park tree plantings
• mulching and staking of newly planted trees and Memorial Tree Garden Trees

Summer

• removal of dead and dying street trees
• continued watering of spring plantings

Fall

• replacement tree planting of trees removed in summer

Current Activities

Winter 2007

• Replacement of the planter boxes along SR 43 (near Geauga Lake)
• Hazard Tree Removal
• Training Pruning of street trees
• Creation of an Emerald Ash Borer Readiness Plan

Emerald Ash Borer

As many Aurora residents are aware, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been discovered in Medina and Cuyahoga Counties.  While it has not been found in Portage County, chances are likely that it will appear soon. 

The Emerald Ash Borer is an ash tree killing insect from Asia that was identified in Ohio in 2003.  Since it’s initial discovery four years ago, more than 16 million ash trees have been removed in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio as a result of EAB infestations.

The City Arborist is developing an Emerald Ash Borer Readiness Plan for ash trees in the city right-of-way that will involve a program of phased removals (once the insect is within 10-15 miles of Aurora), and insecticidal treatments.

City residents are asked to read the EAB information available on the websites linked on this page, and inspect the ash trees on your property for decline, or signs of the beetle.  Informative EAB Identification Cards and DVD’s are available free of charge at the City’s Parks and Recreation department. 

The Tree Commission

Tree Commission meets at 7:15pm the third Tuesday of every month.  They initiated the creation of the Memorial Tree Garden, Landscape Awards Program, and are in the process of establishing a Landmark Tree Registry for Aurora. 

Tree Programs

For more information on the following programs, please click on the form in the Useful Forms and Documents section on this webpage.