Trees in Newport

Residents can call 859-292-3686 to contact the Newport Community Services Department or can email the city’s arborist Rachel Comte regarding any tree issue or question.

Newport Tree Canopy Goal

The City of Newport recognizes the value of trees within the community (described at right). As such, Newport’s goal is to, at minimum, maintain the existing tree canopy cover (amount of city covered by trees when viewed from above) at the current 33%, while working to improve the quality and health of the current canopy as well as equalize the tree canopy cover between neighborhoods - all while maintaining public safety.

Efforts to Work Toward These Goals

The City has taken a number of steps to work toward the tree canopy goals described above:

• Part-time Arborist Now on Staff. Newport recently hired an ISA Certified Arborist, Rachel Comte, on a part-time basis to provide expert assistance in the proper care, maintenance and reforesting of the City of Newport. Rachel was the catalyst for the large volunteer tree planting events over the last five years across multiple Newport neighborhoods. She also works with communities across the country on urban forestry master planning.
• Building a Proactive Care Program. Though a proactive care program can take time to implement properly, the city is taking steps to transition into proactive care. Each year a small section of the public trees will be re-assessed and re-inventoried, and appropriate proactive care (primarily pruning) performed later that year.  This is considered the best practices for care of public trees, and will reduce risk, extend the life of our trees, and in the long term will increase canopy and save the city money.
• Updates to Tree Protection. Reviewing regulations protecting public trees.
• Incorporating Trees in New Development. Involving city arborist in development projects.
• Tree Planting Support. Continuing to work with the community on volunteer planting projects.

2019 Tree Program Plan of Work

Proactive Tree Care Program.  Proactive care started in Zone 2 (primarily Buena Vista and down the northern sections of Monmouth).  As this zone was re-inventoried in 2018, proactive pruning (for better structure, health, and clearance from structures, people and cars) is scheduled for summer 2019 and will greatly extend the life of Newport’s street trees.  The next zone (TBA) will be re-inventoried as well in 2019 in advance of 2020 proactive care.

Safety Check.  Each year, all 3,100 + publicly-owned trees will be checked for imminent safety issues.

Volunteer Young Tree Pruning Program. 

During the winter of 2019, twenty volunteers were trained by the City’s arborist both in the classroom and in the field to structurally pruning young trees.  This group then assisted the city arborist in structurally pruning young trees across the city.  Through the months of March and April 2019, over 700 young trees were structurally pruned.  This important step should happen within the first 3-5 years after a tree is planted because it greatly extends a street tree’s life by making them less prone to storm damage, disease and failure.  By performing this task with volunteers, the we greatly reduce the number of trees that will be required to be pruned by a hired contractor and saving our city money, while teaching the community a new skill. 

City Tree Ordinance Update.  The city’s tree ordinance is being updated based on best practices in tree care by municipalities across the country. Our updates to the tree ordinance have been submitted to the Newport Board of Commissioners for approval in 2019. UPDATE: The new tree ordinance was adopted on July 22, 2019, view Ordinance O-2019-011 here. 

Ash Tree Management.  As in 2018, a risk assessment will be done on the remaining 88 ash trees on public land during 2019.  Only those having higher risk ratings will be slated for removal.  More information can be found here.

Community Tree Planting Support.  The city will continue to provide support for a community tree planting day.  Plantings are handled by numerous community groups and usually occur in October.  The city assists with tree distribution and concrete cut outs as well as other assistance as needed. 

Tree Resource.  The city arborist will continue to respond to public requests with any questions on trees on public lands in Newport.  To contact our certified arborist, email Rachel Comte or contact the Community Services Department at 859-292-3686.

2018 Tree Program Summary

City Arborist Hired.  In 2018, a new certified arborist was hired on a part time basis to care for public trees.

Proactive Care Program Initiated.  10 management zones were established across the city to effectively manage all public trees and a GIS-based tree inventory system was reestablished.  Tree within the first zone (Zone 2) were re-inventoried (updated) which includes all of Monmouth within the northern part of the city, along with most of the Buena Vista neighborhood.

Safety Check.  Checked all 3,100 + publicly-owned trees within the city for imminent safety issues.

Ash Tree Management Program Initiated.  A risk assessment was performed on 120 ash trees on public land.  35 ash were selected for removal based on worst condition and highest risk to public.

New Planting Support.  New trees were planted at Bernadette Watkins Park, and City continued to support community tree planting events which installed trees in west Newport.

Update the City Tree Ordinance.  Recommended changes to the tree ordinance were submitted to the Board of Commissioners for consideration.

Tree Removal Information

Coming Soon

Back to top