Besides their inherent beauty, trees provide a number of benefits to our community. They supply oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and lower the surrounding air temperature. Trees provide shade to help reduce home cooling costs and also cut down noise pollution by absorbing sound. Tree roots stabilize soil and help prevent erosion, their limbs provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Finally, trees improve property values.
Currently, there are over 24,000 trees in Mentor’s urban forest which consists of all public trees within the public right-of-way (tree lawns), parks, and other public lands. The value of these trees is estimated at over $5 million.
The City’s investment and the hard work of the Tree Commission has resulted in Mentor being named “Tree City USA” for the 33rd consecutive year.
The City of Mentor manages a Street Tree program to promote the beautification of our streetscapes as well as help manage stormwater runoff. Each year, trees are available free-of-charge to Mentor residents on a first-come / first-served basis and are installed by City personnel in the public right-of-way.
Once the tree is installed, care and maintenance of this new tree is the responsibility of the property owner.
Property owners are reminded to:
- Be sure to water the new tree once-a-day for a week, and then once-a-week for month after it is planted.
- Place a layer of mulch, 3” in depth, around the tree every year to keep lawn mowers and weed-eaters away from the trunk. Avoid placing mulch on the flair (at the base) of the newly planted tree.
- Prune away any sprouts or suckers that may appear at the base of the tree as necessary.
- Leave the deer guard in place for 3 years to help prevent damage from deer rub.
- Your tree is guaranteed for one year from time of planting. If normal growth or leafing is not apparent, please report it to the Public Works Department so the tree can be inspected and/or replaced.
Learn how to Prune Your Young Tree (video)
MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED
As per Mentor ordinances, property owners are required to maintain their property as well as any trees located in the public right-of-way. Trees must be trimmed so they don’t create an obstruction for pedestrians and motorists. Branches that hang over the sidewalk or right-of-way should be kept at seven feet above a sidewalk, and 14 feet above a public road.
Residents are also responsible for removing any dead branches that overhang a public sidewalk or roadway or interfere with the visibility of street or traffic signs.
Also, keep in mind that a permit issued by the City Public Works Director is required to plant or remove a tree in the public right-of-way. Remember to call 811 before you dig anywhere, so that utility companies can mark out any potential underground lines.
If you have any questions regarding the Mentor Street Tree Program or other tree related programs, please contact the Public Works Department at (440) 974-5780 or pubworks@cityofmentor.com.
ABOUT THE TREE COMMISSION
The Mentor Tree Commission consists of four members who establish and administer Mentor’s Master Street Tree Plan. Members are appointed by City Council and serve four-year terms. The Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 PM in the First Floor Conference Room of the Mentor Municipal Center. These meetings are open to the public. Please Note: The February 2022 meeting has been moved to Wednesday, February 16th.
2022 Tree Commission consists of Rodd Schroeder – Chairperson, Dick Douglas – Vice-Chairperson, Cindy Code Fenner -Secretary, and Louise Watson.
The Commission works with Matt Schweikert, Mentor Public Works Director, and Ben Askren, City Arborist to facilitate the program.