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Bloomington Continues Long-Term Investment in the Urban Forest

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Bloomington, Ind. ~ Bloomington, Ind.– The city's urban forestry team has been hard at work this year, planting over 200 trees, pruning hundreds more for public safety and storm resilience, removing invasive Callery pears, and securing almost $95,000 in grant funding. These efforts are all part of the city's commitment to protecting and expanding its urban forest.

According to the city's tree inventory, there are approximately 24,000 trees in parks, rights-of-way, medians, and other city-owned and managed property. These trees are maintained by one urban forester and a team of two full-time and two seasonal urban forestry staff members with support from the Public Works Department's tree removal crew.

From January to June of 2026, the urban forestry team completed various tasks including planting 201 trees, pruning 265 trees, removing 98 dead or hazardous trees, inspecting 3,692 trees, and assessing 530 ash trees. Each tree removal is carefully evaluated with public safety and long-term forest health as top priorities. So far this year, 49 trees have been scheduled for removal due to being dead or dying or severely damaged by pests or storms. Other removals are prompted by reports from the public or target invasive species such as Tree of Heaven and Callery pear.

The trees planted this year represent 27 different species that are all native or native cultivars. Urban Forester Haskell Smith explained that when selecting which species to plant in certain areas, they consider factors such as growing conditions, available space, mature tree size and form, and ecological benefits. This approach is commonly known as "planting the right tree in the right place."

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Smith gave an example saying that while catalpa may not make a great street tree due to its size and shape when planted near Rogers Family Park prairie it will eventually provide food for bees and hummingbirds while also serving as a nesting site for woodpeckers and owls. Other species such as American hornbeam and American yellowwood have been successful street trees due to their growth pattern, toughness, and adaptability to an urban environment.

Since 2022, the urban forestry team has removed an average of 76 invasive Callery pear trees each year as part of a long-term plan to eliminate the species from the city's urban forest. These trees are known for spreading aggressively into natural areas and being prone to splitting and storm damage. Currently, they make up about 3.8% of Bloomington's public tree inventory. Removals are prioritized with the largest trees, which are particularly vulnerable to structural failure; only about five Callery pear trees larger than 30 inches in diameter remain.

Thanks to federal and state grants, the city's capacity for tree care has expanded. In 2023, a $100,000 Catalyst Fund grant was awarded and distributed over four years, doubling the budget for proactive storm resilience pruning. This type of pruning addresses weak or poorly attached limbs before they fail, reducing risks to pedestrians, vehicles, homes, utilities, and emergency access routes. Priority areas for this type of pruning have included North and South College Avenue, North and South Walnut Street, North Woodlawn Street, Henderson Street, and West Kirkwood Avenue.

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In February of this year, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) awarded a $50,000 State Urban Forest Resilience (SUFR) Grant which allowed the urban forestry team to systematically assess the health of approximately 530 ash trees on public property. This assessment helps identify which trees can continue to be protected from emerald ash borer while also directing treatment funding towards those with the best prospects for long-term survival.

Out of the ash trees inspected through this grant program, 308 were healthy enough to treat while an additional 140 trees that were already receiving ongoing treatment were not included in the assessment. The goal is to have a sustainable population of around 250 ash trees that the city can continue to treat and protect over the long term.

Smith expressed his gratitude for the SUFR grant, saying, "The SUFR grant has given us the ability to take a hard look at our public ash trees: their health, persistent problems, and their future. The grant helps us remove trees in poor health and replace them at a 2:1 ratio with native species while also preserving important ash trees in our parks landscape, including several large specimen ash trees around Bryan Park."

Investing in a healthy urban tree canopy has numerous benefits for Bloomington. It helps keep neighborhoods cooler, improves air and water quality, increases property values, and creates more welcoming public spaces. Proactive tree care also reduces the risk of damage from severe storms by addressing weak trees and limbs before they fall, making the community safer and more resilient.

Residents can view a live inventory of public trees or visit the urban forestry website to learn more about programs such as the Tree Assistance Program or purchasing a memorial or honorary tree. If there is a hazardous tree on public property, residents can use the City's uReport system to report it.

Filed Under: Government, City
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