Street Tree Commission

The Street Tree Commission consists of 7 members who are residents of the City of Rossford. Members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council, for 3 year terms. If you are interested in serving on this commission please contact the Mayor by phone at 419-666-0210 x12 or by mail at 133 Osborn St., Rossford, OH 43460.

The Commission meets 5 to 6 times a year; plans and organizes an annual Arbor Day celebration, an annual tree planting, and participates in the National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA program. The City has been recognized as a “Tree City” for over 10 years. To request a tree be planted in the City (public) tree lawn in front of your residence please complete a Street Tree Work Permit, which can be accessed via the link in the next paragraph or at the Forms Online page of this website.

The Commission is also responsible for approving any requests to trim, remove, or plant trees, shrubs or flowers in the public right-of-way along streets or in other public areas within the City. Any tree work (trimming, removal, or planting) in the street tree lawn or in a public place requires a permit. Permit applications are available at the City offices at 133 Osborn St. or from this web site on the Forms Online page under “Street Tree Work Permit.” This permit must be approved in writing before any work on or removal of trees begins.

The Street Tree Commission would like residents to be aware of  the recommended practices in caring for a new tree, whether planted in the City tree lawn or in their yards.

Caring for a Newly Planted Tree

Watering: New trees require regular watering, particularly during the dry months in the summer. Trees should receive regular watering for at least the first 3 years after they are planted. A good rule of thumb is that trees need 1 inch of rainfall per week during the growing season, some sources recommend 15 gallons a week. Thorough watering promotes root development.

The most common reason that newly planted trees do not survive is due to an insufficient amount of water.

Mulch: If you choose to mulch, mulch should be no more than 3 inches thick around the tree. Keep mulch back several inches from the base of the tree. The mulch should not come in direct contact with the tree trunk, and slope the mulch from the outside edge toward the tree so that it forms a basin that channels moisture towards the base of the tree.

Mowing: String trimmers or “weed whackers” should not be used to cut grass near the base of a tree. They can damage the tree trunk by cutting into the bark and cause a tree to fail. Care should also be taken when using lawn mowers close to the trunk of a tree.