Tree commission puts down new roots

The Bay Village Tree Commission's new logo was designed by Bay resident Courtney Shutt and features a white oak, a nod to a majestic old tree located in Cahoon Memorial Park.

The Bay Village Tree Commission is back in action with a new board of volunteers appointed by Mayor Debbie Sutherland. The commission is headed by returning Chairperson Dave Patzwahl and new members Patrick Graham, Liz Pim, Julia Shutt, Leo Mahoney and City Council representative Dave Tadych.

They meet monthly with city arborist Mike Polinski and secretary Jackie Moore. This group of volunteers all live in Bay Village, and they’re brimming with new enthusiasm for our urban forest!

They have a new mission and vision statement and have created a colorful new logo.

Mission: To work as a team with Bay Village city officials preserving, fortifying and improving our urban forest.

Vision: To increase public awareness about how caring for and planting new trees today benefits all who call Bay Village their home.

Mike Polinski, city arborist, and the service department tree crew completed installing 36 new trees along Bay Village streets last fall. They’ve replaced ash trees that were removed due to Emerald Ash Borer disease.

The Tree Commission chose two sturdy varieties. The Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) has distinctive saw-toothed, deep green leaves that turn bronze in the fall. It’s a slow-growing, disease-resistant oak that grows up to 50 feet tall. The Kentucky Coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) has a compound green feathery leaf structure and showy yellow fall foliage. This hardy specimen will also reach 50 feet tall. The new plantings can be seen along the tree lawns on Saddler and Edgewood roads in Bay Village.

Trees are more than just beautiful green giants. They help our neighborhoods by soaking up storm water, lessening air pollution, shading our homes which conserves energy, and providing a haven for birds and wildlife. Trees are what make Bay Village a great place to come home to!

The commission meets on the second Tuesday of the month as needed. Meetings are held in the second-floor conference room of City Hall and are open to the public. More information about the Bay Village Tree Commission can be found under the City Government tab at cityofbayvillage.com.