33Ohio Urban Forestry

Mission Statement

33Ohio Urban Forestry was created to enrich the present and fortify the future of the environmental vitality of urban areas in Northeast Ohio. We will achieve our mission by planting and managing native trees and plants on properties which are located in underserved urban areas. Our reforestation efforts will help create a sustainable future for our children, provide improved air/water quality, positively impact the local economy, community and property value for the urbanized areas of Northeast Ohio.

Ongoing Akron North Hill Project

33OHIO URBAN FORESTRY is looking to acquire properties in Northeast Ohio: Akron, Cleveland, Youngstown, Medina, etc. to continue planting, growing trees and forests in urban environments.

In January of 2017, we submitted a proposal to the City of Akron to acquire approximately 3 acres of land in the North Hill area of Akron. This area of Akron is traditionally underserved and has significantly less tree canopy than many other areas of Akron, as shown here.

The property is near Cuyahoga Street and Plymouth Avenue. This 3 acre parcel of land had endured loads of illegal dumping, while the existing trees and vegetation received no care. Many of the trees were non-native, overly mature, or dying.

Our Efforts Akron North Hill Project

The acquisition of the land was completed in January of 2018. Our first task was to get a complete understanding of the land and soil. Jeffery Cordi, a respected and well known surveyor in the area, provided survey services for us to clearly understand the boundaries. Next we collected 16 soil samples from various places on the property and sent them to the Calmar Soil Testing lab, in Westerville Ohio, for soil analysis.

In addition, the FDA website (Soil Survey) was consulted to determine the soil type. This detailed analysis provided us with the data that was needed in order to design the new forest. The design of the new forest included selecting the number and species of trees that would be best suited for this site. Design of the planting plan that would maximize the available space and provide a guide for our efforts. We selected the tree species and in consultation with our OSAF Forester, Frank Luppino, we designed the spacing and the species diversity plan.

We then had the trees that were not appropriate (being invasive or dying) for the new forest removed. We used an Amish contractor to take away many of the trees. It was environmentally noteworthy that the Amish contractor used horses to move the logs around the property and prepare them for loading on the truck. Then the hardest work really began.

Making a difference Akron North Hill Project

Initial cleanup of the property started in April of 2018. Most of the land clearing was performed by a group of volunteers with support from a small casual labor crew. We used a log chipper to chip up most of the tree tops and other woody material. Some brush piles were not removed from the site, to improve its quality for small wildlife and plant growth. Since there was a significant amount of trash on site, we hired a local contractor to sort, recycle and landfill trash and dispose of it. All of the land clearing was completed in February 2020. The contractor’s records show he disposed of 6 tons of trash.

The tree planting happened in phases. As each area was prepped, we planted it. The first planting took place in April 2018. 250 trees were planted then. We planted 200 Spruce trees as a windbreak around the east and south sides of the property. 50 Hardwood trees were also planted at this time. In April of 2019, we planted 900 Hardwood seedlings over a weekend. At this time, some volunteers from St. Vincent St. Mary high school, with some other volunteers, accomplished this. The third phase of planting was completed in April of 2020. 200 more trees were planted. Finally, the last 100 Hardwood trees were planted in April 2021.

The entire 3 acre property has been cleaned and restored. 1600 total new trees were planted, spaced 8ft apart. 4000 total sq feet was planted with native wildflower pollinator seed mix in order to enhance the wild flowers and diversity on the site. The property has since been maintained by us and is currently on track. The investment of resources in this project is significant. The number of people hours committed to this project tops 1500.