Plain City Tree Commission

Village of Plain City Tree Commission

The Plain City Tree Commission typically meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Municipal Building.

The tree commission consists of 5 resident members appointed by council. Each staggered term is 3 years. An ODNR Urban Forester sits on the commission in an advisory ex officio capacity. The commission is administered by the Plain City Parks and Recreation department.

Members

Chair - Garrett Price
Co-Chair - Mary McGrath
Secretary - Christy Syfert
Members - Polly Seum, Tim Miklasiewicz
ODNR Forester - Alistair Reynolds
Plain City Parks and Recreation - Linda Granger, Denton Kitts

Mission Statement

The trees of Plain City are a valuable part of Plain City's heritage and history. The mission of the Plain City Tree Commission is to maintain, improve and increase the community forest of the village through the sharing of expertise, guidance and recommendations to the city administration, developers and property owners for:

The protection of healthy trees.
Proper tree selection and planting site selection, and the promotion of native species.
Planned pruning.
Tree risk assessment.
Planting in public rights-of-way and open spaces.

In addition, the commission works to educate the public about the benefits that trees provide. This commitment to planting, protecting and maintaining public trees represents a long-term investment in the beauty, biodiversity and historic character of Plain City.

Saving Our Community Forest

Plain City's community tree canopy is one of the village’s greatest assets. Trees have become an important and effective tool to combat many local and global problems. Trees clean the air, conserve energy in buildings, sequester carbon, absorb flood water, add to property value, moderate climate extremes, muffle noise, and add color and character to Plain City's residential and commercial areas. Faced with the steady loss of an aging tree population, and limited planting opportunities, we face a sizable challenge to ensure that the natural heritage of Plain City’s tree canopy is maintained for future generations.

Every Tree Makes a Difference

A single tree can sequester 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide in a 50-year lifespan.
Shade from the same tree will reduce solar radiation by 90%, making it equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners running 20 hours a day.
Each tree removes up to 8.4 pounds of air pollutants annually.
Trees reduce the urban heat island effect by as much as 10 degrees through transpiration of water into the atmosphere.
Trees improve water quality by slowing run-off and filtering pollutants and suspended solids from rain water.
Trees and quality landscaping add about 6 - 10% to real estate value.

Tree Planting Information

The Plain City Tree Commission has regulations for what trees may be planted in public areas and general tree recommendations for private lawns.

For additional resources, please visit the ODNR Urban Forestry Toolbox page.

Anyone planning to dig in Ohio must call 811 or 800-362-2764 at least 48 hours before the commencement of digging. The Ohio Utilities Protection Service will notify utility companies and member companies will mark their lines. Calling before you dig is important not only for safety reasons, but it is also the law.

ohio 811

Commemorative Tree Program

The Village of Plain City is pleased to offer a commemorative tree program for individuals or organizations desiring to create a lasting remembrance of a loved one, commemorate a special achievement, or honor a deserving person or organization through the planting of memorial trees at Pastime Park, McKitrick Park, or other city parkland. All trees will be planted in the spring or fall, and staff will work with you on tree selection and planting site.

An application form for the program is available here:

Commemorative Tree Brochure

Tree Commission 2023 Minutes

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes can be downloaded by clicking the links below.