Resident urges tree‑protection rules as council proclaims Arbor Day; city highlights urban‑forester work

A Euclid resident told the City Council on April 21 that private property owners can remove trees without city approval and urged council to consider a permitting process for private tree removal.

Jillian Moll, who said she lives on Lake Edge Drive, told council she lost a privacy buffer when neighboring apartment owners removed small trees and later removed mature parking‑lot trees. “The city currently has no ordinances prohibiting private property owners from taking down trees on their property,” Moll said, and she recommended the council explore a permitting requirement that could at least notify the city and open discussions about alternatives and replanting.

Council and city staff used the item at the April 21 meeting—during which the council also passed a resolution proclaiming April 25 as Arbor Day—to underline existing tree work. The administration said the city has planted more than 700 trees in recent years, completed a street‑tree inventory of more than 9,000 sites (public street trees only) and recently hired an urban forester, Jody Lathwal, and that a Shade Tree Commission is active.

“[The shade tree commission] is probably the most talented, professionally, has the most professional expertise in trees and urban forestry,” the mayor said, and council members encouraged residents to attend Shade Tree Commission meetings to take part in ordinance discussions.

Council passed the Arbor Day resolution and members said the city will continue exploring tools to protect the canopy while balancing private property rights.

Moll closed by saying she plans to plant a replacement tree in her yard.