--- title: "Dayton Urban Forest Master Plan and Your Tree Lawn" description: "Dayton is writing an Urban Forest Master Plan from April 2026 to June 2027. See what the city page says, what it leaves out, and what it means for tree lawns." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/dayton-urban-forest-master-plan-what-it-means-for-your-tree-lawn publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # Dayton Urban Forest Master Plan and Your Tree Lawn Dayton is writing an Urban Forest Master Plan, with work running from April 2026 to June 2027. The city page says Ohio was among the first states hit by emerald ash borer. The page sets no new tree lawn rule. It says the city will review regulations, so rules could change after the plan is done. Local: DaytonPublished October 26, 20264 min read 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/urban-forestry) and [tree canopy](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/bush-ash), by 2008. Read the [southwest Ohio timeline](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/emerald-ash-borer-in-southwest-ohio-timeline) or the [ash tree and emerald ash borer pillar](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/ash-trees-emerald-ash-borer-stumps). ## 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: 1. **The city is counting its street trees.** If a tree on your tree lawn is public, it may appear in the inventory. 2. **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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) and [street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/street-tree) entries explain the terms. The guide on [who owns the stump on the tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/dayton-oh). For a stump that comes from an ash tree, read [dead ash tree stumps](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/dead-ash-tree-stump). ## Next step Before you plan any stump work near the street in Dayton, read the pillar on [tree lawn rules and 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits). Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## 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 - [Emerald ash borer](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/emerald-ash-borer) - [Stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding) - [Urban forestry](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/urban-forestry) - [Kentucky 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/kentucky-811) - [Street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/street-tree) - [Tree canopy](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-canopy) - [Tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) - [Ash tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/ash-tree) - [Bush ash](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/bush-ash) - [OHIO811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/ohio811) ## Sources 1. [City of Dayton: Urban Forest Master Plan](https://www.daytonohio.gov/1376/Urban-Forest-Master-Plan) 2. [Ohio State University BYGL: Is Emerald Ash Borer on the Rebound in Ohio?](https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2166) 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. ## Keep reading - [Emerald ash borer in Ohio, and what it means for the ash stump in your yardEmerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that kills ash trees. Ohio State University Extension says it was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007. EAB kills only the above-ground part of an ash, so a dead ash stump can send up new shoots, called bush ash. Those shoots can be attacked again.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/ash-trees-emerald-ash-borer-stumps) - [Before you grind: 811, the tree lawn and street tree permitsThe Ohio and Kentucky statutes tell an excavator to notify 811 before excavation. The Ohio definition of excavation does not name stump grinding, so ask OHIO811 or Kentucky 811 if you are unsure. The call is free. A stump on the tree lawn follows city rules, and those rules differ by town.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) - [What to do with a dead ash tree stumpA dead ash tree stump can send up new shoots because emerald ash borer kills only the above-ground part of the tree. Ohio State University Extension calls the multi-stemmed regrowth bush ash. The new stems can be attacked again. Your options are to leave the stump, ask about shoots, or have it ground.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/dead-ash-tree-stump) - [Who owns the stump on the tree lawn, and who grinds it?It depends on the town. Cincinnati takes a 311 request for stumps of city-maintained trees. Wyoming says the city grinds them. Milford and Hamilton name the property owner. Covington and Fort Thomas require city permission to remove a street tree. Read your city page before you hire anyone.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn) - [Emerald Ash Borer in Southwest Ohio: A Timeline to 2026Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007, according to Ohio State University Extension. Ash trees died quickly, beetle numbers crashed, and dead stumps sent up shoots called bush ash from 2008. OSU Extension reported in 2023 and again in 2026 that the beetle is back and still infesting trees.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/emerald-ash-borer-in-southwest-ohio-timeline) - [Who Grinds the Stump in Front of My Cincinnati House?In Cincinnati, a stump on a city-maintained tree lawn or right of way goes through the 311Cincy tree stump request, which routes to Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry. Staff check whether the stump is already on the grinding list. If it is not, a forester investigates and reports back. A stump on private ground is the owner's to handle.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/who-grinds-the-stump-in-front-of-my-cincinnati-house)