City forester outlines free tree program, nursery operations and Tree City USA 50th celebrations

James Wills, Springfield's city forester, told listeners of the At Your Service radio program that the city's forestry division manages public trees and landscaping, runs a small nursery and will host Central Ohio's Tree City USA 50th-anniversary awards around Arbor Day.

Wills said the division operates year-round with a forestry superintendent, a forestry supervisor and a crew of seven full-time staff who handle tree planting, pruning, right-of-way maintenance and even snow-plow support during winter storms. "It's our main objective is to get as many trees in that area as we can," Wills said of planting in the public right-of-way.

Why it matters: Wills described several programs residents can use to improve neighborhood canopy. The city maintains roughly 57 volunteer planting beds across public spaces (about 30 of those beds are still available to adopt) and runs a right-of-way planting program; residents may request a tree through the service center, which Wills invoked with the phone number given on the program. Wills said the city plants roughly "two to 300" trees in public green spaces each year, and the municipal nursery aims to keep about 300 trees in stock, harvesting roughly 70'to'80 annually to place in parks and public rights-of-way.

On species and pests: Wills explained why the ornamental Callery (ornamental) pear is on the city's replacement list: once widely planted for spring bloom, the trees now revert toward wild traits that produce abundant fruit, spread by birds, and create brittle limbs and weak crotches. "A lot of times the main factor that you see is the fruit almost quadruples on the tree and then it gets real heavy," he said. To replace pears, the division is favoring oaks, maples, elms and experimenting with yellowwood and other medium-size species; Wills also highlighted flowering alternatives such as Shinga 'Ivory Silk' and serviceberry.

Wills warned homeowners about current boxwood problems and control measures. "We're treating for that" with a fungicide for the boxwood fungus and an insecticide for a boxwood moth, he said, noting infected plants may turn brown quickly. He urged property owners to consult licensed arborists or local landscapers for diagnosis and treatment.

Homeowner guidance: For long-term tree health, Wills recommended early structural pruning by a certified arborist to establish a strong central leader and avoid weak V-shaped crotches that later fail in storms. He also endorsed mulch for moisture retention and soil health and advised sensible pruning of evergreens to avoid cutting away all the green growth.

Events and celebration: Springfield will host the Central Ohio Tree City USA awards around its 50th anniversary with a community celebration and a school planting at Emanuel Christian elementary. Wills said the city plans to plant a Cirus American Dream oak in the downtown courtyard with a commemorative plaque tied to Springfield's anniversary and upcoming national celebrations.

What's next: Wills encouraged residents to call the service center with questions or to request a right-of-way tree and said staff typically follow up by phone or email; Arbor Day itself falls on the last Friday in April (noted in the program) and Springfield's celebration will take place May 6. "We try to get them around 2-inch caliber," Wills said of trees they harvest, indicating the nursery aims for established stock before placement.

The interview closed with congratulations for Wills on a recent honor from the International Society of Arboriculture and an invitation for residents to attend the Arbor Day planting and Tree City USA events.