WARREN — City officials held preliminary discussions at a caucus meeting Tuesday about revitalizing the city’s arboricultural commission.

Led by Councilman Andrew Herman, D-2nd Ward, and Lydia Lynch, health and wellness coordinator for the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership (TNP) and the Mahoning Valley Tree Corps, discussions focused on updating policies, improving public spaces and putting the city on the path. to the Tree City USA designation.

“It’s more of a preparatory work” said Herman, who discussed the commission’s efforts to qualify for Tree City USA status through the Arbor Day Foundation. Such a designation, he noted, could improve Warren’s access to grants that support urban forestry and local park maintenance. “This is one of the things we can do to eventually get more grants to help us take care of our city and the trees,” Herman said.

The city meets three of Tree City USA’s four requirements, only missing the minimum budget of $75,000, which Herman said could be covered by existing grants from TNP and the Mahoning Valley Tree Corps.

Herman, who recently contributed $10,000 to the project from his American Rescue Plan, explained that reestablishing the tree commission will allow for informed tree planting decisions, ensuring that the species chosen are adapted to the landscape and will not damage infrastructure.

“We will consider planting trees that do not raise the sidewalks. » he said, acknowledging concerns raised at the meeting about sidewalk damage that could result from larger tree roots.

Lynch’s ongoing work with TNP and the Mahoning Valley Tree Corps has already begun to revitalize the city’s tree canopy. Its efforts include a large-scale planting project supported by a $5 million grant from the USDA, aimed at adding 5,500 non-invasive native trees to Warren and Youngstown over the next five years. Warren alone will receive 1,215 of these trees, strategically planted to maximize environmental and aesthetic impact in underserved neighborhoods. During the first phase of planting this fall, 96 trees were planted in Warren, with additional plantings planned each spring and fall.

Resident approval is key to the project’s success, with each tree planted only after receiving community support. Residents would first have to give their consent.

Herman also highlighted the environmental benefits of the project, noting that trees provide superior stormwater management compared to grass. Supporters of the commission pointed out that trees could help absorb groundwater, easing local water management problems.

At Tuesday’s meeting, discussions also focused on species selection and removing outdated requirements from ordinances listing invasive trees like the Bradford pear, which has become problematic in Ohio.

Rather than strict lists of species, the commission will rely on certified arborists to determine appropriate trees based on current environmental guidelines, allowing the city to adapt to changing needs and avoid problems ecological.

The city must also remove dead and hazardous trees, which are not covered by the current grant.

“This grant does not cover much of the moving work, but we are working to secure additional funding to manage this. » Lynch already said.

This initiative aligns with the commission’s goals to enhance the urban forest, with a five-year maintenance period for each tree to ensure health and growth.