COVINGTON - The City of Covington's Urban Forestry Board, in partnership with the City's Urban Forestry Division, has launched its Landmark Tree Program. 

The public is encouraged to nominate trees they feel are noteworthy or historically significant by filling out an online form or submitting a print form.

A Landmark Tree Program, is described in the City's Code of Ordinance [94.58], as 'a concept that directly aligns with the City's and the Urban Forestry's recognition of the value of trees within the urban environment as positive contributing factors that help to sustain an attractive quality of life while simultaneously defining the City's unique culture and sense of place through its respective involvement in local history.'

Goals of the landmark tree program include:

1.     Highlight significant and prominent trees with in the city in order to foster awareness and appreciation for the Urban forest.

2.     Support the City's initiative to invest in Green Infrastructure, especially the value of well-established trees as a contributing part of the local environment.

3.     Solicit Landmark tree nominations from the public as a means to raise overall awareness of the first and second goal, listed above.

According to Municipal Specialist Crystal Courtney, the average lifespan of a tree within an urban environment is eight years. She said, "It's truly amazing when a tree survives [in the urban environment] for 50, 100 or more years. The history these trees are a part of and the stories they can tell is significant to our community's history."

Courtney points out that while many cities actively value their historic architecture, fewer cities take similar action when it comes to protecting and identifying landmark trees.

Mayor Sherry Carran played an instrumental role in contributing to the program and forming the Urban Forestry Board before her tenure as an elected Covington official began. 

According to Jason Roberts, Urban Forestry Supervisor, "Sherry worked really hard to get both the Urban Forestry Board, and this program, going. She was very dedicated to supporting our urban forest and still is today. She still comes to our meetings when she has time."

Mayor Carran served on the Urban Forestry Board until 2006, the year before taking office as City Commissioner. From 2006, until she was elected Mayor in 2012, she served as an ex oficio member of the Board. The Mayor remains passionate about urban forestry because of the relationship to livable communities.

Improving visual aesthetics, making communities more appealing and inviting is an aspect of trees/urban forestry that is sometimes overlooked and one of the reasons why Mayor Carran was drawn to urban forestry. She believes trees can become important architectural elements in place making. Covington's Landmark Tree Program is a way to call attention to this unique characteristic  of trees in our community.

Environmentally, trees help clean the air, manage stormwater, moderate outside temperatures and provide wildlife habitat.  Regarding public health, safety and social benefits, the correct placement of trees can help calm traffic and encourage walking, reduce crime and increase social ties, reduce noise pollution and improve visual aesthetics.  

How to Nominate a Tree

Online nomination form

Print out nomination form here 

Questions?

Contact Cassandra Homan, 859.292.2292 or email her at Cassandra.Homan@covingtonky.gov