Parks, Recreation & Leisure

Parks, Recreation & Leisure / Parks & Forestry

Tree Talk

Landscaping Tips | Plant of the Month | Tree Talk

Upper Arlington Ohio was incorporated in 1918 on land from the James T Miller farm. The suburb was first known for its lack of trees as the homes were built upon the former farm fields. Things had changed substantially by 1944 however when Professor L. C. Chadwick from Ohio State was asked to study and survey trees on the City right of way and in the parks. Professor Chadwick lamented the "current epidemic dying of American elms" and also complained about the use of poor species of trees such as box elder and catalpa. The large numbers of catalpas which survive today on Waltham near the Devon pool are proof that Dr. Chadwick's recommendations were not universally followed. Nonetheless he devised the first recommendations for tree plantings along publicly owned park strips.

Much has changed since 1944 and new threats exist to trees that Dr Chadwick did not forsee. Chestnut blight, Dutch Elm disease, Gypsy moths, Asian long horned beetles and Emerald Ash borers all exist now and are munching their way down to Upper Arlington. The Upper Arlington Tree Commision has been charged with protecting and enhancing trees in U. A. and part of our task is to let people know about new or different varieties of trees to consider not only for the public rights of way but also for people to consider using on their private property. We therefore hope to have a regular series of tree articles to discuss the pros and cons of various tree varieties, and to hopefully introduce people to something new. It now seems clear that overuse of any one type of tree in the city is a recipe for disaster as new types of species specific pests continue to appear.

Diversity is key. Size and shape and ornamental characteristics are also important. Our hope is that you will read these series of articles and decide to plant a new type of tree in your yard. It would be wonderful if everyone in the city ends up with a tree in their yard that no one else on their block has.

Parks & Forestry Division
Parks & Recreation Department
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5340