Urban Forestry Program

The Village of Rutland understands the importance of community beautification and environmental conservation, and its substantial effect on community and economic development, quality of life, and the health, safety, comfort and wellbeing of residents, visitors and stakeholders.

The Urban Forestry Program of the Village of Rutland allows the community to bolster its commitment to these very principles through a dedication of funding and resources for the planting and proper maintenance of trees within the public rights-of-ways, and in other areas determined appropriate by the Village Government.

Program Overview

The Urban Forestry Program (UFP) is administered by the Rutland Village Planning Commission in close partnership with the Ohio Division of Forestry, and the United States Forestry Service, and allocates funding received from the U.S. Forestry Service to substantially invest in the long-term growth and development of local urban and community forestry programs.

The primary goals of the UFP include:

• To contract with the Ohio Division of Forestry for the purchase and planting of trees for public benefits.

• To restore community tree canopy through the planting of large-stature shade trees and promote species diversity.

• To reduce stormwater runoff, maximize filtration of overland flow, and improve watershed health.

• To enhance the quality of life.

• To promote urban forestry benefits through the proper planting and care of shade trees.

• To strengthen and support existing comprehensive community tree care programs.

• To align with the goals of the Ohio Urban Forestry Program and the Tree City USA Program of the Arbor Day Foundation.

Urban Forestry Plan

Outlined in the Village of Rutland Urban Forestry Plan is a comprehensive plan to the implementation of the Urban Forestry Program. The Urban Forestry Plan is designed to serve as a guide to meeting the goals of the Ohio Urban Forestry Program, and the Village’s long-term program in maintaining beautiful trees throughout the urban spaces of the municipal corporation.

The Urban Forestry Plan is initially approved by the Rutland Village Council, as done on August 18, 2025, and is subject to periodic review and revision by the Rutland Village Planning Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Rutland Municipal Code.

To learn more about the Urban Forestry Program, including the methods by which the Program will be implemented, click the link provided.

Salem Street Shade Tree Project

The Salem Street Shade Tree Project is a component of the comprehensive 2026-2027 Urban Forestry Project of the Village of Rutland, and includes the tentative planting of 52 shade trees along Salem Street (State Route 124).

The Project is divided into two phases, with phase I scheduled for implementation in the spring of 2026, and phase II scheduled for implementation in the fall of 2026. More information on phase II will be provided in late summer, 2026.

Salem Street Shade Tree Project (Phase I)

Phase I includes the planting of 24 shade trees along Salem Street (State Route 124) from Beech Grove Road to Davis Avenue in the spring of 2026. A combination of seven types of beautiful shade trees will be planted in rotation among one another for optimal appearance and shade. Tree types to be planted include:

• 1 - Armstrong Gold Maple

• 2 - Swamp White Oak

• 3 - Bald Cypress

• 4 - Harvest Gold Linden

• 5 - Fastigiata Hornbeam

• 6 - Urban Sunset Maple

• 7 - Bracken's Brown Beauty Magnolia

The Village Department of Public Service recently applied markings along the berm of Salem Street indicating the proposed planting site for each tree, with the reference number, as indicated in the tree listing above, designated beside each marking.

Preliminary tree planting sites were approved by the Village Planning Commission, with any unforeseen requirement to alter the sites to be subsequently approved by the Mayor. For example, if the site is too close to a fire hydrant, driveway or utility pole. Sites were marked utilizing the Village's Urban Forestry Plan and pursuant to Chapter 154 of the Rutland Municipal Code.

The contractor selected for the scope of work was Country Road Nursery, LLC, of Jackson, Ohio. The project will be administered in April-May, 2026, by the Village of Rutland, in close coordination with the Ohio Division of Forestry.