Dayton is writing a long-range plan for its trees, and that plan touches the strip of grass in front of many homes. This post reads the city’s own Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) page and explains what it says, what it leaves out and what to do now. All facts about the plan come from the City of Dayton, as of October 2026.
What is Dayton’s Urban Forest Master Plan?
The Dayton UFMP is a city project to study existing tree conditions and to plan tree work for the coming decades. The city says it is launching the plan to guide Dayton toward a healthier, more resilient future through a data-driven planning process.
The page gives a reason. It says Dayton’s urban forest has been heavily affected by invasive pests, disease and severe weather. It also says that since the population peak in the 1960s, Dayton has lost nearly half of its residents, which has left limited resources for public services, including urban forestry management. Support for the project comes from the U.S. Forest Service.
The glossary has short entries for urban forestry and tree canopy.
What is the timeline?
The plan runs in three phases between April 2026 and June 2027. The table lists them as the city does.
| Phase | Dates | What the city says it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Project launch | April 2026 to May 2026 | A steering committee and advisory group, a first look at tree canopy and inventory data, a review of existing policies and regulations, and planning for public engagement |
| Discovery | June 2026 to January 2027 | Analyzing canopy data, collecting an inventory of street and park trees, reviewing operations and regulations, and hearing from the community |
| Plan development | January 2027 to June 2027 | Writing a draft plan with goals and action steps for the next two decades |
The page states the expected finish date: “Anticipated completion date will be June 2027.” The first public workshop was held July 29, 2026 on Zoom, and the page links the slides and a recording.
Does the plan say anything about emerald ash borer?
Yes, briefly. The city page says Ohio was among the first states affected by the emerald ash borer. It names other threats too: the Asian longhorn beetle, spotted lanternfly and severe weather events.
The page does not give counts of ash trees or a removal schedule. It does not say how many Dayton ash trees died. For the regional record, OSU Extension says the beetle was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007 and that dead ash trees and stumps in southwest Ohio were sending up multi-stemmed regrowth, called bush ash, by 2008. Read the southwest Ohio timeline or the ash tree and emerald ash borer pillar.
What does the plan mean for my tree lawn?
For now, the plan does not change what you can do on your tree lawn. The page sets no new rule for the strip between the sidewalk and the street. It does not say who removes a stump there. It does not say whether a permit is needed.
What it does say is useful. The city has been conducting a Street and Park Tree Inventory as part of the plan, and it links to a Dayton Tree Inventory Portal where the data can be viewed. The city also says the project includes “reviewing operations and regulations.”
That means two things for a homeowner:
- The city is counting its street trees. If a tree on your tree lawn is public, it may appear in the inventory.
- Rules may change later. The plan is expected to finish in June 2027. A review of regulations is one of its stated tasks.
Because the page names no tree lawn rule, call the city before you cut a street tree or have a stump ground there. The tree lawn and street tree entries explain the terms. The guide on who owns the stump on the tree lawn lists what other cities say.
What about trees on my own lot?
The city page stresses private land. It says 70 to 80 percent of Dayton’s tree canopy is located on private property, which is why it wants to hear from residents. A stump in your own yard is a private matter, though you may still need to mark private lines before any digging.
For lines, the pillar on before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits quotes the official OHIO811 and Kentucky 811 pages. Utility marks cover public lines. Private lines, such as sprinklers or lamp post wiring, are the owner’s to mark.
How can I take part?
The city lists several ways to get involved:
- Take the Let’s Talk Trees survey.
- Apply for the advisory group, which requires attending three two-hour workshops.
- Invite the project team to speak with your group.
- Review the slides and recording from the July 29, 2026 public workshop.
Contact details and links are on the city’s Urban Forest Master Plan page at daytonohio.gov.
Where does stump grinding fit?
The plan page does not mention stump grinding. A stump left from a tree on your own lot is yours to deal with. For help in the area, see stump grinding in Dayton. For a stump that comes from an ash tree, read dead ash tree stumps.
Next step
Before you plan any stump work near the street in Dayton, read the pillar on tree lawn rules and 811. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dayton Urban Forest Master Plan?
It is a city planning project to study Dayton's trees and plan tree work for the coming decades. The city page says the plan runs in three phases from April 2026 and is expected to finish in June 2027. Support for the project comes from the U.S. Forest Service.
Does the plan change the rules for my tree lawn?
Not yet. The city page does not set a new rule for the strip between the sidewalk and the street. It says the project includes a review of operations and regulations. Any change would come after that review, so check with the city before you act on a street tree.
Why does the Dayton plan mention emerald ash borer?
The city says Dayton's urban forest has been heavily affected by invasive pests, disease and severe weather. The page states that Ohio was among the first states affected by the emerald ash borer. That history is part of the reason the city says it is launching the plan.
How can a Dayton resident take part?
The city page lists a Let's Talk Trees survey, an advisory group application, a request for the project team to speak at a group, and a recording of the July 29, 2026 public workshop. The page notes that 70 to 80 percent of Dayton's tree canopy is on private property.
Terms on this page
Sources
- City of Dayton: Urban Forest Master Plan
- Ohio State University BYGL: Is Emerald Ash Borer on the Rebound in Ohio?
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.