Tree Commission

Board Members

Costello, Tim
Friedt, Gary
Scholtz, Brad
Naugle, Anne
Western, Jerry

Mission Statement: To have a safe, healthy and sustainable urban forest within the City of Vermilion for residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy.

Accomplishments

Tree Plantings on city streets and parks

25 trees planted in 2025, 41 trees were planted in 2024, 25 trees were planted, 2023 (49 in 2016, 42 in 2017, 51 in 2018 35 in 2019, 34 in 2020, 40 in 2021, 116 in 2022 25 in 2024). 442 total 2016-2025.
118 trees were pruned and 10 trees were removed in 2025.
Arbor Day Celebration was held May 1^st at Showse Park as part of the Revitalization and transformation program at the park.
All tree plantings were paid for by donations or grants.
Commission members watered all newly planted trees regularly.
Commission members volunteered 595.5 hours in 2025.
Cost per tree planted has been reduced from $400 to $200 due to commission members efforts.

Important projects in 2026

Water and care for the trees planted in 2025 and 2026. Pruning and mulching.

17^th Annual Vermilion River Watershed Program 2026 Vermilion Historic Community Center VOL 11 April 26.
Arbor Day 2026 plans are being developed. Working with VHS FFA class 24 Apr 26 at 1:00PM.
Continue to work with the Parks Department in planting and care of Parks trees. Work in 2026 will focus on Showse Park and maintenance of existing Park trees.
Our newer members have attended the ODNR Urban Forestry Tree Commission Academy.
Instagram and social media are being explored as a way to communicate with citizens.

Tree City USA

The tree commission was created under the auspices of Tree City USA, with direction and help from the Ohio Division of Forestry/ Urban Forestry. Tree City USA, within the Arbor Day Foundation, provides direction, assistance, and national recognition to communities to manage and enhance their municipal forests.

Vermilion has been Tree City USA for 14 years and received Growth Awards 4 times during those 11 years.

What is Tree City USA

Learn more about Tree City USA

Requirements

To become a Tree City USA community, four standards must be met:

A tree board, department, or commission to be accountable for the management of city municipal trees. Smaller cities, like Vermilion, usually establish a commission of nonpaid volunteers.
A basic tree care ordinance, passed by city council, establishing a tree commission establishing a tree board or commission giving them responsibility for public tree care and providing for guidance for planting, maintaining, and removing trees from public spaces. (This was done on January 23, 2012)
A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita. This standard is met, not only from budgetary monies from city, as well as grants, etc., but also work done with public trees within the city service department and parks department.
An annual Arbor Day observance and proclamation.