City of Cleveland Selects Davey Resource Group, Inc. as Lead Consultant

Team to develop plan for citywide right-of-way tree inventory and urban forest management  

May 15, 2025 – Cleveland, OH – The City of Cleveland announced today the selection of Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) as the lead consultant to create a citywide right-of-way tree inventory and the develop a comprehensive five-year urban forest management plan. 

This transformative project is made possible by a significant $3.4 million award funded through the Inflation Reduction Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Urban & Community Forestry Program. The grant, which was announced by Mayor Bibb in July 2024, aims to enhance urban forestry management, strategize tree care, and promote citywide tree planting through collaboration with partner organizations.  

“Under Mayor Bibb's leadership, Cleveland is rising & so is our urban forest. This opportunity is 40+ years in the making. I am thrilled to be a part of this project, this movement, toward increased stewardship and preservation of our trees,” stated Jennifer Kipp, manager of the Division of Urban Forestry. “Trees are essential to life, health, and well-being. Trees are critical green infrastructure, effectively managing storm water runoff, capturing air pollutants, and giving us oxygen to live life on this planet. This project affirms Mayor Bibb's long-term investment in our communities and lays the groundwork for regreening our beloved City.” 

The work on this initiative will begin in late June or early July 2025, with DRG’s team of certified arborists and urban forestry experts conducting a thorough inventory of every tree and planting site in the public right-of-way, ward by ward. The project aims to conclude by Spring 2027. 

DRG, based in Kent, Ohio, was selected through a competitive process due to its proven expertise in managing large municipal inventories and its extensive understanding of Cleveland’s canopy needs.  
The inventory is not merely a standalone effort; it is a key component of a much broader initiative. This grant will also drive citywide pruning efforts and empower local organizations through sub-grants aimed at planting and maintaining trees across Cleveland. These actions will particularly focus on enhancing environmental health in historically underserved neighborhoods. 

Jim Zwack, vice president and general manager of Davey Resource Group Environmental Consulting, added, “This plan ensures that Cleveland's tree canopy is not only effectively managed on a day-to-day basis but also well-equipped to address future challenges. The project is designed to provide long-term guidance for the entire urban forest and engage residents and stakeholders, and we are so pleased to be tapped to lead it." 

By collecting vital data throughout this inventory, the city will set clear and pragmatic objectives for urban forestry in the coming decades. This foundational information will inform strategic planting, pruning, and long-term maintenance decisions, ensuring a sustainable urban forest that benefits all Cleveland neighborhoods. 

Through this project, the City of Cleveland plans to upgrade the current inventory processes and make the public tree data available to the community. This initiative is poised to have a positive impact on urban forestry and community health.  

The City of Cleveland is an equal opportunity provider.