Forestry
It is the responsibility of the City Forester and staff to maintain all street trees within corporate Dublin. Areas also included are the trees in the Bridge Street cemetery, green spaces AND neighborhood and cemetery gardens. The City of Dublin, Ohio is a Proud Tree City USA community for 37 years!
Street Tree Pruning
Why prune street trees?
- There are several reasons street trees are pruned. One of the most important reason is public safety, including maintaining clearance over sidewalks and roadways.
- In addition, pruning is done to improve a tree’s structural stability. This lessens the impact seasonal storms have on structurally unsound branches as well as increases the tree’s longevity.
- Long-term maintenance and costs are reduced when pruning is done to young trees. Corrective pruning alleviates many problems early and allows for a more stable and aesthetically pleasing tree.
The City of Dublin adopts two industry standards when pruning. Arborists contracted by the City also follow these standards.
- American National Standards Institute A-300 Pruning Standards
- International Society of Arboriculture – Best Management Practices for Tree Pruning
When to prune street trees?
- Trees can be pruned almost any time of the year, but the most appropriate time to prune most trees is the dormant season from late fall to early spring. This puts the trees at the least amount of risk and reduces the level of stress put on the trees. Light pruning in the summertime can be done to achieve immediate needs such as clearance or safety. The removal of dead branches can occur at any time of the year. The city attempts to focus the majority of its pruning during the dormant season, but will prune trees throughout the year in order to meet pruning objectives.
Who is responsible for pruning City-owned street trees?
The City of Dublin’s Forestry staff maintains and prunes all City-owned trees. We ask residents not to prune the trees in front of their home, but contact the City Forester for a pruning request at 614.410.4701 or by e-mail at jmyers@dublin.oh.us.
Which trees are owned by the City?
- City-owned trees are those trees growing within the public right-of-way. Most trees are in the area of land between the street and the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, the City-owned trees may be planted approximately 4 feet off of the curb.
How often are the street trees pruned?
- Street trees are pruned on a 3- to 5-year cycle. Certain species, such as honeylocust and elm, may be need to be pruned every 1 to 2 years because of their vigorous growth rates. The goal is to prune every street tree in the City of Dublin at least once every 5 years.
How much is removed at any one pruning?
- Industry states that the maximum that should be removed during a pruning cycle is 25% to 30% of the foliage. This amount is not removed for every tree pruned.
Should wound dressings be used?
- It is not recommended that any wound dressings be used. In the past, the benefits of “pruning paints” were widely touted. Research has shown that paints offer little, if any, positive contribution. In several studies, paints have been shown to be harmful to the trees. In some species, the presence of the paint slows wound closure.
Can my tree be topped?
- The arboriculture industry does not promote tree topping as a maintenance tool. The City of Dublin’s street tree ordinance prohibits this practice. This is in compliance with the International Society of Arboriculture and the ANSI A300 Standards.
The City of Dublin is home to more than 64 parks, 33,000 street trees and even more opportunities to connect with nature. The Arbor Day Foundation has named Dublin a Tree City USA for the 37th consecutive year and a Tree Cities of the World for the fifth year in row.
The Tree City USA program is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. The Tree Cities of the World program is an international effort to recognize cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed and duly celebrated.
Dublin achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Dublin has a long-held tradition of preserving its natural environment. In 1981, while still a village, Dublin became the first municipality in the state to adopt a comprehensive landscape code. That code is complemented by the City’s greenspace ordinance, which requires developers to set aside land for neighborhood parks.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the City of Dublin is not planning large, in-person Earth Day projects this year. However, the City encourages its residents and business community to plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day, April 26. For more ways to celebrate the planet for Earth Month, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov/Earth-Month.
To learn more about the Tree City USA/Tree Cities of the World programs, visit ArborDay.org/TreeCityUSA and TreeCitiesoftheWorld.org. If you have any questions about how to take care of the trees in your backyard, visit visit DublinOhioUSA.gov/Forestry or feel free to reach out to the City of Dublin’s Foresters at 614.410.4701. It certainly is greener in Dublin!
Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect pest that kills ash trees. EAB was first found in Ohio in 2003. Since then, this insect has spread throughout Ohio and has killed millions of ash trees nationwide. EAB continues to be a threat in Ohio today, although populations of the pest are much lower than at the height of its initial invasion. As long as there is a food source, the ash trees, this pest will still be a threat.
The City of Dublin has been selectively treating ash street trees since 2008 and has successfully saved more than 1,700. A proud example of this achievement can be found along Earlington Parkway as shown in the picture below.
This spring of 2024, during full leaf expansion to the end of June, we will be treating the street trees with a chemical insecticide injected into the lower trunk of the tree.
Ash Trees on Commercial Properties
Because of their tolerance of urban conditions, ash trees were planted on commercial properties to satisfy specific code requirements. Existing ash trees were also preserved in many areas around the development of commercial properties.
Many of the Ash trees that became infested with Emerald Ash Borer were removed.
Dead and dying trees pose a threat to patrons and property and should be removed as soon as possible.
Dublin City Code requires the replacement of dead and dying trees on commercial properties. However, trees do not need to be replaced until the next growing season regardless of when the tree is removed. Arrangements can be made to spread out replacements over several planting seasons if necessary. Some trees may not need to be replaced depending on its location on the property.
If you have ash trees on your property, contact Brian Martin, Zoning Inspector, at 614.410.4660 or bmartin@dublin.oh.us.
What can residents do?
Residents are able to contact and utilize tree care companies that are qualified to perform recommended treatments on ash trees on their own property. The City recommends that the residents utilize International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists and Ohio Department of Agriculture Licensed Pesticide Applicators to provide treatments.
The decision to treat, remove or retain ash trees on private property belongs to the property owner. When evaluating replacement options, remember to consider the appropriateness of specific species in terms of size, location, access to utilities, and other factors.
Questions?
Contact the City of Dublin Forestry team in the Division of Parks at 614.410.4701.
Public Records Request Overview
In order to support faster response and better tracking of requests, the City of Dublin uses JustFOIA to collect, respond to and manage public information requests.
Why JustFOIA?
JustFOIA is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online application that helps streamline the open records request process for the community and improve efficiencies in getting requested information quickly and accurately.
The application lets community members submit requests for all city records, including police reports. Commonly requested information includes accident reports, copies of resolutions and body-camera video.
Mission
We are and always have been a proud local democracy. In our service, we strive to provide the best quality of life and environment in which our residents and businesses can thrive. We seek to ally our proud traditions with the best innovations of the future.
Vision
Dublin, Ohio, is the most sustainable, connected and resilient global city of choice.
Core Values
Integrity, Respect, Communication, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Attitude & Dedication to Service.
The City of Dublin operates under a set of seven key core values: integrity, respect, communication, teamwork, accountability, positive attitude and dedication to service. Staff members use these seven values as the basis for daily decision-making, including the decisions that go into the budget process.
- Integrity. We are open and honest. We honor our commitments to the community and each other. Our actions are consistent with what we say.
- Respect. We treat our coworkers and members of the community with courtesy and dignity. We embrace diversity and acknowledge the needs, responsibilities and inherent worth of each individual.
- Communication. We maintain an environment in which employees feel free to share ideas and information. We promote open interaction throughout the organization to ensure knowledge and understanding among all employees and our community.
- Teamwork. We create a climate in which all employees work together and support the individual talents and contributions of team members. We celebrate successes and see mistakes as opportunities for growth; we will never willingly let a member of our team fail.
- Accountability. We are responsible to our community and each other for our personal and organizational decisions, actions and performance results. We are committed stewards of our City’s assets and resources.
- Positive Attitude. We focus our efforts on constructive behavior, attitudes and solutions. We promote an environment that people love going to every day – a place where each individual can find a sense of belonging, inspiration, enjoyment and meaning.
- Dedication to Service. We pursue innovation and continuous improvement in all we do. We are committed to efficient, effective and responsive service delivery that makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Leadership Philosophy
We are members of an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity and the innovative spirit of all of our members. Together, we build a culture of trust, service, mutual respect, inclusion and open communication. We hold ourselves mutually accountable to promote and sustain continuous learning and to develop the learning potential that exists in every member of our team.
City Code
The complete Dublin City Code is available online at American Legal City Ordinance website. Information staff at the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library are available to help navigate this website.
Revised Charter of Dublin, Ohio
This Revised Charter, as adopted on March 19, 1996, became effective on July 4, 1996.
Zoning Code
The Zoning Code for Dublin is Chapter 153 of the Dublin Code of Ordinances. The Zoning Code sets land development requirements and establishes different uses within individual districts. Zoning regulations address the physical development of a site, such as building height, lot requirements, setbacks from lot lines, minimum numbers of parking spaces, sign types and sizes, and other related regulations.
Service Center
6555 Shier Rings Rd
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chipper Service Hotline (24 hours)
Phone 614.410.4780
City Forester
Phone: 614.410.4701 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Parks & Recreation
Phone: 614.410.4700 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Recycling
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Streets & Utilities
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Street Maintenance
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Trash Collection
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
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Dublin, Ohio, USA
5555 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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