Photos by: Asha Blake

Trees are more than a lovely addition to the neighborhood — research shows they support our mental health, build community and deter crime, regulate the heat and are strongly related to economic vitality.

Work is underway to help improve Cleveland’s tree canopy. In an email, Elizabeth Grace, director of Development for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, said the group has planted 87 street trees in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood this spring.

Volunteers and members of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy planted trees on E. 63rd St. in Cleveland Saturday morning. These new trees with strengthen Cleveland's tree canopy
Volunteers and members of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy planted trees on E. 63rd St. in Cleveland Saturday morning. These new trees with strengthen Cleveland’s tree canopy Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland

“The species are included in the Cleveland Tree Plan’s suggested species list because they have proven resilience to the poor soil conditions in tree lawns, resistance to road salt, and short growth habit.  [They won’t grow up to conflict with power lines],” Grace said.

Depending on size, Grace said, trees that are planted in urban areas need approximately 15 gallons of water (think three 5-gallon buckets) weekly during the growing season, which runs from June through September in Northeast Ohio.  

From left, Leon Meredith, Jack Blackwell and Roberto Peralta look at the rootball of the hawthorne tree before placing it into the soil. To massage the rootball, volunteers used either gloves or their hands to break it up.
From left, Leon Meredith, Jack Blackwell and Roberto Peralta look at the rootball of the hawthorne tree before placing it into the soil. To massage the rootball, volunteers used either gloves or their hands to break it up. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland

Typically it takes three years for a tree to become established. That can depend on the species and conditions. The ideal is to water trees weekly for the first two years and then as needed in the third year.

As far as establishment, it typically takes 500 to 700 gallons of water to grow a young tree to establishment. But rainy weather helps too!

Dan McLaughlin (who is also a Cleveland Documenter) and Tom Schreiber demonstrate how to massage the rootball of a tree. Sixteen trees were planted Saturday, and a total of 87 have been planted in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood so far this spring.
Dan McLaughlin (who is also a Cleveland Documenter) and Tom Schreiber demonstrate how to massage the rootball of a tree. Sixteen trees were planted Saturday, and a total of 87 have been planted in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood so far this spring. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
Laura Marks and Carrie Hansen work together to level out this crabapple tree in the soil. They checked the orientation and straightness of the tree to ensure that it was planted correctly.
Laura Marks and Carrie Hansen work together to level out this crabapple tree in the soil. They checked the orientation and straightness of the tree to ensure that it was planted correctly. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
A staff member of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy helps a volunteer member spead mulch around a planted tree.
A staff member of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy helps a volunteer member spead mulch around a planted tree. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
Christopher Winfield strikes down on a plant stake to get it into the soil. Stakes are used to help support the tree so it can keep growing.
Christopher Winfield strikes down on a plant stake to get it into the soil. Stakes are used to help support the tree so it can keep growing. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
A volunteer wraps twine around one of the plant stakes. Individuals put two stakes by each tree and tied twine on them so that each tree would be protected from high winds and heavy rain.
A volunteer wraps twine around one of the plant stakes. Individuals put two stakes by each tree and tied twine on them so that each tree would be protected from high winds and heavy rain. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
Devon Range, a staff member of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, runs water into large buckets. It typically takes 500 to 700 gallons of water to grow a tree to establishment. But rainy weather helps too!
Devon Range, a staff member of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, runs water into large buckets. It typically takes 500 to 700 gallons of water to grow a tree to establishment. But rainy weather helps too! Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
Laura Marks waters a crabapple tree while both volunteers and members of the Western Reserve Conservancy watch on. Trees that are planted in urban areas need approximately 15 gallons of water (think three 5-gallon buckets) weekly during the growing season.
Laura Marks waters a crabapple tree while both volunteers and members of the Western Reserve Conservancy watch on. Trees that are planted in urban areas need approximately 15 gallons of water (think three 5-gallon buckets) weekly during the growing season. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland
A neighbor watches as volunteers plant a crabapple tree in front of his house. Community members on the street came out to see what was happening and they were appreciative of the group for planting these 16 trees, Saturday. Western Reserve Land Conservancy planted 87 street trees in St. Clair Superior in total this spring.
A neighbor watches as volunteers plant a crabapple tree in front of his house. Community members on the street came out to see what was happening and they were appreciative of the group for planting these 16 trees, Saturday. Western Reserve Land Conservancy planted 87 street trees in St. Clair Superior in total this spring. Credit: Asha Blake for Signal Cleveland

You can help build Cleveland’s tree canopy by adopting a tree or by attending Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s upcoming tree-planting event on May 11 in St. Clair-Superior.

Freelance Contributor I am a Cleveland native who loves photographing events and people. Getting to learn more about fellow Clevelanders while telling important stories is my main goal. Also, being able to add visuals with a story is extremely fun.

Community Journalism Director (she/her)
I look for innovative ways to center news on community interests so more Clevelanders can have positive, direct interactions with journalists. I seek out different opinions, support emerging journalists, and teach community writing and story development so people can tell their own stories, build their own power and make the change they want to see.