Planting a tree is pretty easy, but doing it right matters. Trees that are properly planted and cared for in their first three years will grow taller and live longer. The illustrated guide below explains the most important steps in the process of giving a new tree a good start.

And Cleveland needs every branch and leaf it can get. The city’s tree canopy — the percentage of land covered by trees when viewed from above — is less than half the size it was in the mid-20th century and still shrinking. The city and many large and small organizations are working to slow and eventually reverse that trend, but it’s going to take years and citywide support.

Ways you can help Greater Cleveland’s tree canopy

Plant a tree in your yard: Western Reserve Land Conservancy gives away trees to Cleveland homeowners. Click here for more information.

Plant trees in your neighborhood: The Tree Coalition organizes planting events in the spring and fall. Join the email list for updates. You can also follow the coalition on Facebook and Instagram.

Take care of young trees: WRLC’s Sherwick Tree Steward Program trains Clevelanders to participate in the ongoing care of young trees. The coalition’s Tree Ambassador program offers similar training in Collinwood and the Ohio City and Tremont area.

Keep up with tree policy decisions: Attend meetings of the Urban Forestry Commission (or watch them online). You can share your thoughts during the public comment period or submit them in writing.

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Lila Mills, Editor in Chief

With gratitude,

Lila Mills

Editor-in-Chief

Signal Cleveland

John G is an illustrator and comic creator who’s been actively contributing to the Northeast Ohio arts and comics communities for more than two decades. His comics work includes the autobiographical comics Tales To Demystify and Love Again as well as The Lake Erie Monster in collaboration with Jake Kelly. Find his original Tales to Demystify comic at Shiner Comics.

Associate Editor (he/him)
Important stories are hiding everywhere, and my favorite part of journalism has always been the collaboration, working with colleagues to find the patterns in the information we’re constantly gathering. I don’t care whose name appears in the byline; the work is its own reward. As Batman said to Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight,” “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.”