Dayton has lost 40 percent of its tree cover in the last decade, but city staff is proposing new rules to restore the canopy.
Staff have proposed amending Dayton’s zoning code to discourage the planting of trees beneath overhead power lines and require developers to diversify the tree species they plant.
Staff said the city’s tree loss stems from pest infestation, age and poor tree-trimming practices by utility crews.
Some of Dayton’s neighborhoods have small percentages of tree cover.
“Some of these are pretty dismal within our neighborhoods,” said Jon White, city planner.
Some officials said DP&L is being negligent in its tree trimming activities.
“Poor is not the adequate word here,” said David Bohardt, a member of the Dayton Plan Board. “How about socially irresponsible?”
More than 60 trees have been cut down at Community Golf Course, and another 150 need to be cut down as soon as more funding becomes available.
“I think it will look a lot better now that the dead trees are out of the way,” said Michael Fisher, who plays golf there multiple times a week. “(But) it does bring more of a challenge into play because the wind starts getting through some of the par 3’s a little more.”
