Lehi City is set to perform a health checkup of its urban forest through a public tree inventory taking place throughout June. The initiative will examine roughly 35,000 public trees to better understand the size, condition, species, and overall health of the community's canopy.
This data collection will assist the city in planning for future planting, maintenance, and long-term tree care management.
The inventory will focus specifically on trees located in public parks, the Lehi Cemetery, city buildings and facilities, and park strips within city rights-of-way. Trees situated on private property are not part of this survey.
Using mapping and specialized scanning equipment, teams will collect data regarding trunk diameter, tree height, canopy size, species, and general condition. The project seeks to identify areas that may require more tree coverage to support a resilient urban forest.
Jessica Smith, the Urban Forester for Lehi City, stated that the obtained data will be instrumental in determining how the city moves forward with tree care and identifying which areas benefit most from trees or require additional planting.
During June, residents may see survey crews and vehicles working in neighborhoods, primarily on weekdays. To ensure teams can safely and accurately collect measurements, the city encourages residents to avoid parking in front of trees located on park strips starting June 11.
Clear curb access is requested to help crews gather information for roadway areas and park strip trees. The city noted that residents will not need to keep vehicles off the street for the entire month, as neighborhood-specific schedules and scanning dates will be released as routes are finalized.
For residents planning to replace or plant a tree in a park strip adjacent to their homes, Lehi City provides a free Street Tree Permit that must be obtained online before planting begins.
Additional project updates and frequently asked questions will be shared by the city as the inventory progresses.
