Euclid City Council authorized staff to advertise and award a contract for the 2025 citywide street tree removal program on July 21, 2025, following a presentation by newly appointed Urban Forester Lathwell on the city’s street-tree inventory and maintenance backlog.

Urban Forester Lathwell, a longtime Euclid resident and former Shade Tree Commissioner, described a 2024 street-tree inventory that counts roughly 9,000 street trees across about 18,000 tree‑lawn sites. The inventory found approximately 8,000 trees that need some pruning and identified 726 trees classified as dead, dying or diseased that require removal. Lathwell said the department is targeting the largest high‑risk trees first and highlighted a map of 171 sites with trees 24 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) or larger for initial removal.

Lathwell said the goal is a “proactive approach” that balances public safety and canopy benefits and stressed that the inventory covers only street trees (those in tree lawns), not park or cemetery trees. Council members asked about resident notification; Lathwell said residents will receive postcards, the city will post information on its website and staff will supply lists to council members. He also confirmed the city intends to include stump removal and reseeding in the contract scope and that a small fall planting program would be considered only after maintenance backlog is reduced.

Council approved an emergency ordinance to solicit bids and enter a contract for tree removal. Director Groganmeyer said $150,000 was included in the current year budget for this work. Council members asked about timetables and whether tree‑lawn restoration after stump grinding would be addressed; Lathwell acknowledged settling after stump removal can create depressions and committed to identifying improved restoration methods.

Why it matters: Street-tree removals affect neighborhood character, sidewalks and stormwater management. The administration framed the program as an investment in public safety and long‑term canopy health while acknowledging a backlog of deferred maintenance.

Next steps: Staff will advertise the bid in roughly two weeks, receive contractor proposals, and schedule removals. Residents with trees flagged for removal will receive direct notification and a list of scheduled work areas will be available to council.