The City of Findlay has received a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry to hire an urban forester to conduct a risk assessment of trees within the city, create action plans to implement a Community Forestry Management Plan, and train city staff and the Shade Tree Commission.

The city says, if there are trees that are identified that need to be removed for safety/maintenance issues, the Urban Forester and Public Works Department will follow ODNR best practices to do so, which is a strict requirement of the grant guidelines.

The city says up to 300 trees could be replaced, many of which have been unmanaged and are in decline and pose a hazard for overhead and underground utilities as well as infrastructure like streets, curbs, and sidewalks.

Part of the grant funds will be used to plant 300 trees.

Findlay residents may request a tree on the city’s website through the Request a Tree Program.

The program planted 374 trees in 2024.

The Shade Tree Commission’s next meeting is September 3 at 3:30 p.m. at 318 Dorney Plaza Room 310.