Akron, OH Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Chapter 101 of the Akron Code of Ordinances, the Trees and Shrubs chapter, governs every tree planted in the public right-of-way, which the code defines to include streets, alleys, lanes, and parkways (§ 101.01). Under § 101.03, no shade or ornamental tree, plant, or shrub goes into a public highway or park without the Director of Public Service first approving its kind, size, and variety and issuing a planting permit; willow, poplar, catalpa, ailanthus, fruit trees, evergreens, silver maple, and box elder are barred outright, and every other species must clear the disease-free standard in § 101.10.

That companion section sets the physical specifications: a new tree's trunk must measure at least two inches in diameter (one and one-half inches for a bare-root tree) six inches above grade, trees must stand at least thirty feet apart unless the Director grants a special permit, and none may be planted within twenty feet of a street intersection. Section 101.08 separately bans planting any bush or shrub within the street right-of-way at all, except inside the center parkways of divided streets. The Director also administers a citywide master tree planting plan under § 101.12, adopted by City Council after review by the five-member Tree Commission created in § 101.13, which assigns species by street segment and spacing. A property owner who objects to a species assignment or a planned City planting gets a notice-and-hearing process under § 101.14.