Tree Commission

Avon Lake's Tree Commission is dedicated to building a community that values and cares for our urban forest, which includes parks, street trees, landscaping, stream corridors, and wetlands across municipal, private, industrial and commercial properties. The Tree Commission promotes and works to ensure a fully stocked, healthy, and resilient urban forest by educating residents about the importance of planting, maintaining, and improving trees on both public and private property. 

Urban forests are living systems that provide essential benefits to people and wildlife. They help clean and cool our air and water, manage stormwater, conserve energy, and provide shade and habitat for animals. They also add beauty, structure, and character to our city. By reducing noise and creating spaces for recreation and reflection, urban forests strengthen community connections, improve health, and increase property values. 

Our History 

Established in 1994, the Tree Commission advises City Council, the Urban Forester (formerly known as the Municipal Arborist), the Planning Commission, and the Mayor on matters related to the care and management of trees and shrubs on all City-managed properties, including tree lawns. The commission also encourages property owners to protect and grow healthy trees and shrubs, ensuring that Avon Lake's urban forest continues to provide lasting benefits for residents and visitors.

If you are interested in being a volunteer and a part of the Tree Commission, please forward a Letter of Interest and a brief resume to VRosmarin@avonlake.org.

Quick Links 

Members  |  Meetings  |  Tips & Resources  |  Street Tree Permits 

Members

The Tree Commission consists of five (5) voting members and two (2) ex officio, non-voting members.  Appointed members serve three-year terms. 

Resident Representatives:

  • Kim Currie, Co-Chair (term ending 12/31/2026)
  • Katie Downie, Co-Chair, (term ending 12/31/2027)
  • Amanda Ortiz Byrnes, Secretary (term ending 12/31/2027)
  • Sue Newcomb (term ending 12/31/2028)
  • Terry Robison (term ending 12/31/2028)

Administration Representative (ex officio, non-voting):

  • Urban Forester Designee, Jon Liskovec, Public Works Director

Council Representative (ex officio, non-voting):

  • Jennifer Fenderbosch, City Council - Ward 2

Meetings

Tree Commission meetings are typically held at 6:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Old Firehouse Community Center, 100 Avon Belden Road, at the corner of SR 83 and Lake Road, across from Veterans' Memorial Park.

Tips & Resources

Tree Planting Guide
March through early May is an excellent time of year to plant most tree species — if you do it correctly. Follow these tips when you or your contractor plants a tree and you'll reap the benefits for decades to come. 
  1. Most trees should have a single trunk when planted. Shrubs and shrubby trees may have multiple stems. Before planting prune any broken branches, but nothing else! 
  2. Always check trees with containerized or balled-and-burlapped roots for defects by digging down to find the "root collar" where the trunk flares and the first roots appear.
    • If you find circling roots, reject the tree. This is a defect that will eventually cause strangulation.  
    • Make sure you cut and remove any roots you find that are growing toward the trunk. They can also cause strangulation. 
  3. Make sure to keep your tree container or root ball moist before planting. 
  4. Dig your hole 1.5 to 2 times the diameter of your tree's container or root ball. Don't dig your hole any deeper than the bottom of the container or root ball. Your tree's root flare should be exposed, not buried. 
  5. Set your tree in the center of the hole, back fill, and then firm the soil around the roots. 
  6. Once planted, water your tree generously and add soil if needed. You don't need any additives. Avon Lake soil is generally rich in nutrients. A few sticks and stones in the hole won't be a problem. 
  7. Mulch around your tree to a depth not to exceed 2-3 inches. DON'T volcano piles of mulch around the tree — your mulch should not touch the tree bark. Too much mulch invites new roots that will strangle your tree's trunk. 
  8. Water your new tree deeply once or twice a week (unless there is significant rain fall). The best way to water is to set a hose on trickle next to your tree for 30 minutes. This allows water to get down to the roots. 

Planting diagram

Invasive Plant Species
Before you plant a tree, make sure it isn't an invasive species. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) maintains a database of invasive plant species that choke out native species and may cause economic or environmental harm.
• See which plants are on the invasive species list. 
Cleveland Bradford Pear Trees
In 2023, the ODNR added all varieties of the Callery pear — an ornamental tree species that includes the Cleveland Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) — to its invasive species list. These invasive plants spread agressively and produce stiff thorns that can puncture tires and boots, and damage lawn equipment. It is illegal to sell or plant these invasive trees in the State of Ohio.
Bradford Pears produce beautiful blooms throughout Avon Lake in the spring, but they are best removed and replaced with non-invasive alternatives such as: 
American hornbeam • Cornelian Cherry • Crabapple • Eastern hophornbeam • Hydrangea Tree • Kousea Dogwood • Serviceberry •  Sweet Bay Magnolia • Tree Lilac •  Viburnum •  White Eastern Redbud 
Bradford Pear
Bradford Pear Tree 

Street Tree Permits 

The city has temporarily paused all new street tree plantings because we are launching an exciting City Tree Inventory project! Starting this summer, teams will be out in the field gathering data on all of our existing publicly owned street trees and available locations to plant new street trees. Learn more.