TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: Gretchen Bennett, Community Services Director
SUBJECT:
title
Salem 2025 Annual Tree Report
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe and Healthy Community; Welcoming and Livable Community.
end
SUMMARY:
summary
The 2025 Annual Tree Report highlights efforts and accomplishments related to the care and protection of our community forest in the 2025 calendar year.
end
ISSUE:
Informational report to update the City Council on tree-related work conducted in calendar year 2025.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The 2025 Annual Tree Report provides a highlight of accomplishments over the past year. It is divided into four main sections:
1. Inform, which highlights work conducted to assess, plan, inventory, or otherwise inform our understanding of the urban forest.
2. Inspire, focusing on working in and with the community through outreach, education, and volunteer events.
3. Grow, which summarizes tree planting efforts across multiple departments and work groups.
4. Care, focusing primarily on the work of the Urban Forestry Division to ensure our City-owned trees remain healthy and protected.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salem Community Forestry Strategic Plan was adopted by City Council in August 2013. The plan acknowledges the benefits of trees, establishes six goals, and sets specific actions, priorities, and partnerships needed to achieve those goals. The six goals of the Community Forestry Strategic Plan are:
1. Protecting, increasing, and enhancing Salem’s tree canopy.
2. Increasing education and outreach about tree benefits, the community forestry program, tree regulations, and incentives.
3. Developing support at political, management, and public levels.
4. Improving City coordination, communication and codes related to trees.
5. Developing and implementing a Community Forestry Management Plan.
6. Establishing stable funding for the Community Forestry Program.
In 2019, after attaining our 23% tree canopy goal, the City set a new goal of attaining 28% tree canopy cover by 2030. All efforts documented in the attached report are aimed at helping to meet the goals of the Strategic Plan and our 28% tree canopy goal.
Work on tree planning, maintenance, and planning is a huge effort that involves a multitude of City departments. This truly team effort sees seven divisions across three departments work in tandem to improve our urban forest.
Community Services Department
• Parks
• Urban Forestry
Public Works Department
• Natural Resources Planning
• Stormwater
Community Planning and Development Department
• Development Services
• Code Enforcement
Attachments:
1. 2025 Annual Tree Report