The Forestry division of the Public Services Department is responsible for the overall management of the City of Grand Rapids’ urban forest. Working with citizens and other agencies, Forestry provides key services and technical expertise for the planning, planting, and maintenance of the City’s estimated 62,000 street trees and 20,000 park trees.  These services include:

·         Pruning to maintain and enhance the health, vigor, and economic value of each individual tree

·         Removing diseased, dead, and dying trees for public safety and health of the urban forest

·         Clearing traffic signs, signals, street lights, and visibility obstructions and maintaining road clearances

·         Planning, planting, and maintaining 2,000 new trees per year through a pro-active tree planting program

·         Providing ongoing treatment of over 1,400 ash trees to protect against Emerald Ash Borer

·         Providing 24-hour emergency response services for tree-related emergencies

·         Providing plan review, technical advice, and site inspection on development and construction projects

·         Coordinating tree preservation, maintenance, and removal projects with local utilities and agencies

·         Responding to citizen inquiries and complaints and providing professional advice to the community

·         Diagnosing tree problems and prescribing corrective/risk reduction actions

·     Promoting and supporting tree planting on private land to increase long term canopy potential through partnership          ventures with other agencies and private groups such as Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

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