The inventory of public trees and planting sites in the Buckeye-Shaker Square and Cudell neighborhoods identifies maintenance needs, quantifies benefits of those trees, and identifies planting sites for canopy restoration. The main objectives of this project were to create an opportunity to implement portions of the 2015 Cleveland Tree Plan, which calls for an inventory, community outreach, engagement, and canopy enhancement through tree plantings. This program can help build on existing momentum and serve as a catalyst for further implementation of tree plantings to enhance our city's tree canopy and initiate a strong goal-setting process.

The next step for the city and its partners is to connect up-to-date data with sound management goals and decision making. Through collaboration and the generosity of the American Forests Community Releaf grant funding, a model urban forestry approach to implementing risk mitigation and canopy restoration in each neighborhood is proposed.

The 2015 Cleveland Tree Plan calls for a comprehensive public tree inventory and the development of a management plan based on that data. By sharing the results and products from this project, the city and its partners have a prime opportunity to perform more community outreach and offer education to residents and city officials, both of which would benefit from more knowledge on the maintenance of healthy trees and the importance of trees to a healthy city. A key outcome of this project should be to generate awareness and support for model urban forestry management, supported by current data and a strategic management plan. Well-managed trees and a purposeful planting program will maximize the return of benefits to the community.