Oct. 21 Tree Commission meeting
Covered by Documenter London Green (see the notes here)
More than 2,000 new trees are taking root across Akron this year, marking one of the city’s most significant canopy gains in recent years. The growth comes through two complementary efforts: a large-scale street tree initiative led by the City of Akron and a federally funded neighborhood-based project known as Project ACORN.
Together, these investments are helping bring shade to low-canopy neighborhoods, improve air quality and begin addressing long-standing disparities in tree coverage across the city.
The biggest impact comes from Akron’s 2025 street tree planting plan, announced by Mayor Shammas Malik in February. The administration committed to planting 1,800 new trees in devil strips, focusing on South and Southwest Akron, where canopy levels have historically been lowest.
Tree canopy planting efforts see local and federal support
Funded by a budget allocation of $750,000, city crews began work in early spring and planted 908 trees between March and May. The second phase of planting is underway now, with the final 900 trees scheduled for installation throughout November. If needed and weather permitting, planting may extend into mid-December — any remaining sites will be completed next March. The project is expected to be completed on budget.
A second effort— Project ACORN — has also contributed significantly to local canopy growth. Funded through a U.S. Forest Service urban forestry grant, the project focuses on Akron’s lowest-canopy neighborhoods, including East Akron, Middlebury, Sherbondy Hill, South Akron and Summit Lake.
In total, ACORN planted 258 trees this year across these areas, which have historically experienced the highest levels of heat exposure and some of the city’s greatest disparities in tree coverage.
Unlike the city’s devil-strip plantings, Project ACORN placed trees in residential areas as well as nearby public spaces. Community organizations — including the Well Community Development Corp. in Middlebury, Let’s Grow Akron in Summit Lake and the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. — helped identify locations and coordinate planting efforts within their neighborhoods. Workers installed additional trees in parks and open spaces to expand shade, recreation opportunities and habitat.
Though it will take years for these new trees to reach their full height, the benefits begin immediately. Even in their first seasons, the new plantings help cool sidewalks, create pockets of shade and filter air pollutants — small but meaningful steps toward a healthier urban environment.