Tree Commission Tree Commission

The Fairport Harbor Tree Commission is a volunteer advisory board that provides guidance to the Mayor, Village Administrator, and Council on the planting, maintenance, and preservation of trees within the public right-of-way. The Commission plays a vital role in maintaining the beauty, safety, and environmental health of our community by recommending tree species for public spaces, overseeing tree care, and ensuring responsible removal when necessary.

The Tree Commission coordinates Fairport Harbor's annual Arbor Day activities and other community tree planting and educational initiatives. In addition, the Commission is leading efforts to have Veterans Memorial Park recognized as a Level I Arboretum, a designation that will highlight the park's diverse collection of trees while promoting environmental education, conservation, and community engagement.

Please note that trees located on private property are generally the responsibility of the property owner. The Tree Commission's role is limited to advising on matters involving public trees and the Village's overall urban forestry goals.

The Tree Commission consists of five members: one member of Village Council, one designee of the Mayor, and three residents appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council. Members serve a 3-year term.

The Tree Commission meets on the Third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Fairport Harbor Community/Senior Center (1380 East Street). Meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend and participate in discussions about Fairport Harbor’s urban forest.

Property owners with trees bordering public streets have a responsibility to maintain them to ensure public safety and preserve the Village’s urban forest.

Property Owner Responsibilities

• Pruning: Trees must be pruned to prevent obstruction of street lighting, sidewalks, traffic signs, and roadway visibility.
• Tree Health: Diseased or insect-infested trees that pose a danger to other trees or plants must be treated or removed.

Tree Trimming Guidelines

• No permit is required for trimming branches under four inches in diameter.
• Trimming or removing branches over four inches in diameter in a tree lawn or right-of-way must be done at the property owner's expense.

Tree Stump Removal

• All tree stumps must be removed within one year of tree removal.
• Stumps must be ground below surface level to eliminate safety hazards.

Street Tree Maintenance

Street trees located in the tree lawn under power lines are trimmed by The Illuminating Company as part of routine utility maintenance. You can report a tree problem to First Energy / The Illuminating Company here.

Trees, Health, and Quality of Life
Trees are an essential part of a healthy community. Urban tree canopy helps improve air quality, reduce summer temperatures, intercept stormwater, lessen noise pollution, and create more comfortable and walkable neighborhoods. Research associated with the Green Heart Project found that increasing neighborhood tree canopy can reduce exposure to air pollution and environmental stressors while supporting improved cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

A growing body of research has also linked access to trees and green spaces with reduced stress, improved mental health, and better public health outcomes. These findings support the view that urban trees are not simply a landscaping feature, but an important component of community health infrastructure. 

Trees and Property Values
Trees also provide measurable economic benefits. In a study by Geoffrey Donovan and Gail Wells, homes located near street trees sold for an average of $8,870 more than comparable homes without them, while nearby public trees increased the combined value of surrounding properties. Their research also found that shade trees can reduce household energy costs by lowering summertime cooling demand.

Additional research by Geoffrey Donovan found that larger neighborhood trees are associated with improved quality of life benefits, including higher property values and healthier, more attractive communities. Well-maintained trees enhance neighborhood character, encourage investment, and contribute to community pride.

For Fairport Harbor, investing in trees is an investment in public health, economic vitality, and quality of life. A healthy and diverse urban forest helps create safer, more attractive neighborhoods while providing benefits that extend to every resident and visitor.

Sources

1. Bhatnagar, Aruni, Keith, Rachel, Yeager, Ray, et al. (2026). The Green Heart Project: Objectives, Design, and Methods. American Journal of Epidemiology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39691946/. 
   
2. Donovan, Geoffrey & Wells, Gail (2010). Calculating the Green in Green: What's an Urban Tree Worth? U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/50539. 
3. Donovan, Geoffrey & Kirkland, John (2011). Growing Quality of Life: Urban Trees, Birth Weight, and Crime. U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/39532.
   

Fairport Harbor is proud to be recognized as a Tree City USA community. This designation, awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, recognizes communities that demonstrate a commitment to the careful management and stewardship of public trees.

The Fairport Harbor Tree Commission serves as the body responsible for overseeing the community's Tree City USA program and urban forestry initiatives. The Commission works to promote the preservation, maintenance, and expansion of the Village's tree canopy while helping guide long-term planning and policy decisions related to public trees.

Through funding provided by an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry Ohio's Urban Forestry Grant Program, the Fairport Harbor Tree Commission and Village Administration developed several key planning documents that will guide the future management of Fairport Harbor's public trees.

Stocking Level Survey

The Stocking Level Survey evaluated the Village's existing street tree inventory and identified available planting locations throughout the community. The survey provides a benchmark for measuring canopy growth and helps prioritize future tree planting efforts.

Tree Risk Assessment

The Village also completed a Tree Risk Assessment to evaluate the health and condition of public trees. The assessment identified 37 trees that were removed in 2026 due to safety concerns, disease, decline, or structural defects. Removing hazardous trees is an important step in maintaining a safe and healthy urban forest.

Street Tree Planting Design

The Street Tree Planting Design serves as a roadmap for future planting efforts by identifying suitable planting locations and recommending specific tree species for each site. The plan emphasizes species diversity and proper tree selection to ensure long-term success and resilience.

Urban Forest Management Plan

The Village's Urban Forest Management Plan brings these efforts together into a comprehensive strategy for managing public trees. The plan establishes goals, priorities, and best management practices for tree maintenance, removals, replacements, and future plantings. It provides a long-term framework to help the Village maintain a safe, healthy, and sustainable tree canopy for years to come.

A Long-Term Investment

Building a healthy urban forest is not a one- or two-year project. The Village cannot simply plant hundreds of trees today and expect to have a healthy, sustainable tree canopy tomorrow. Successful urban forests are developed over decades and require a diverse mix of tree species and age classes. By balancing the planting of new trees with the preservation, maintenance, and replacement of existing trees, the Village is creating an urban forest that will be more resilient to pests, disease, storms, and changing environmental conditions for generations to come.

The Legacy of the Silver Maple

For generations, the Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) has been a defining part of Fairport Harbor's streetscape. Native to the wetlands and low-lying areas of Lake County, this fast-growing and resilient tree was widely planted throughout the early 20th century to provide much-needed shade before the advent of air conditioning. As a result, many of Fairport Harbor's neighborhoods developed a distinctive canopy of mature Silver Maples that helped shape the character of the community.

While Silver Maples provided decades of environmental and aesthetic benefits, they are relatively short-lived compared to many other shade trees. As these trees approach or exceed 100 years of age, many are experiencing structural decline, decay, and increased risk of limb or whole-tree failure. Because so many were planted during the same era, communities across Northeast Ohio, including Fairport Harbor, are now facing the challenge of removing and replacing large numbers of aging trees. Through thoughtful replanting and species diversification, the Village is working to preserve the benefits of a healthy urban forest for future generations.

Investing in Fairport Harbor's Urban Forest

In August 2026, the Village Council established a 0.22-mill Street Tree Assessment, with collections beginning in 2027, to provide a dedicated source of funding for the maintenance, removal, and planting of street trees throughout Fairport Harbor. The assessment was created in response to the growing need to address aging tree infrastructure, including the large number of mature Silver Maples that are reaching the end of their useful life.

The assessment is calculated based on a property's tax-assessed value, ensuring that costs are distributed proportionally among property owners. For the average property owner, the annual cost is estimated at approximately $12.18 per year.

Revenue generated by the assessment is restricted by state law and may only be used for shade tree purposes, including tree planting, pruning, maintenance, removal, stump grinding, and other activities that support the health and safety of the Village's urban forest. These funds cannot be diverted to unrelated Village operations or projects, and funds cannot be used on private property.

The assessment is expected to generate approximately $20,000 annually, creating a reliable funding source that will allow the Village to proactively manage its street trees, reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve public safety, and ensure that future generations continue to benefit from a healthy and diverse tree canopy.