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Tree Restoration Program
The vision of the Tree Restoration Program is to help beautify Royal Oak's landscape, while providing quality of life and environmental benefits to our residents.
Our Goals
- Strategically plant street trees to provide neighborhoods with numerous benefits, including: cleaner air and water, improved property values, less storm water runoff and flooding, and lower energy bills through reduced heating and cooling costs.
- Improve public outreach and education on tree planting and maintenance
- Create a tree ambassador program (Tree Amigos) to disseminate information and promote tree growth
- Continue Tree Restoration Program until 200 trees are reserved
2021 OAKSTEM Program
To decrease impervious surface area and increase the tree canopy in the George W. Kuhn Drainage District, the Oakland County Department of Economic Development (OCDEC) has developed the 2021 OAKSTEM street tree enhancement matching grant program, which provides a one-to-one match for eligible communities to encourage development or expansion of street tree planting programs.
The department of public services intends to administer a supplemental tree planting program this fall with the OAKSTEM funding. As envisioned, this program would provide for the purchase and planting of 200 right-of-way trees, located in areas within the Kuhn Drainage District, with selected locations prioritized using heat map and tree canopy data. Site selection will consider homeowner interest as well as program criteria.
Based on OCDEC’s funding allocation formula, Royal Oak has a base allocation of $22,790. Reimbursable expenses include the cost of trees and a two-year warranty. Labor costs associated with planting are not eligible. Based on current tree prices, the following table illustrates estimated program costs and reimbursements:
Total Program Costs
Trees (with a one-year warranty) - Qty 200 @ $222/each | $44,400 |
Labor - $100/tree (not eligible for reimbursement.) | $20,000 |
Less OCDEC grant match | ($22,200) |
City Cost | $42,200 |
Targeting Locations for Trees
Two areas have been targeted for right-of-way trees to be planted in the fall of 2021.
The areas selected were chosen based on the following criteria:
- Current canopy
- Identified right-of-way gaps
- Flood claims
- Flooding topography
- Heat islands and air quality considerations
Tree Equity Score
Additionally, methodology and data from American Forest's Tree Equity Score Analyzer (TESA) was used in evaluating neighborhoods. American Forests, founded in 1875, is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States.
View the Tree Equity map below to see your neighborhood's score. A score of 100 means that a neighborhood has achieved Tree Equity.
Tree Gap map

Street Tree List
- All plantings include mulch, arbor tie and tree stakes.
- Plantings conform to American Standard for Nursery Stock
- All materials are guaranteed to be as specified, and certified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture
The tree contractor is Dennis Crimboli Tree & Landscape, 50145 Ford Rd, Canton (www.crimboli.com)
Product | Diameter | |
---|---|---|
Hybrid Elm | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Autumn Blaze Maple | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Zelkova | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Tulip Tree | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Eastern Redbud | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Sawtooth Oak | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Red Oak | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Flowering Dogwood | 1.5 - 2 inches | |
Flowering Cherry | 1.5 - 2 inches |
What is a Street Tree?
A 'street tree' is one that is in the public right-of-way (It's generally on the lawn area between the sidewalk and the curb). In the diagram below, three of the trees are street trees.
Royal Oak has earned the National Arbor Day Foundation distinction of “Tree City USA” every year since the distinction’s inception in 1976.
Royal Oak Land Cover
Type | Acres | % |
---|---|---|
Impervious | 3621 | 48% |
Trees | 2309 | 31% |
Open Space | 1595 | 21% |
Bare | 33 | >1 |
Water | 9 | >1 |
Total Acres | 7567 |
Canopy Coverage Among Cities with Comparable Populations
Source: SEMCOG
Benefits of trees
Trees work for us. Properly cared for, they are valuable assets worth three times your initial investment.
Healthy trees mean:
- Healthy people: 100 trees remove 53 tons of carbon dioxide and 430 pounds of other air pollutants per year.
- Healthy communities: Tree-filled neighborhoods lower levels of domestic violence and are safer and more sociable.
- Healthy environment: One hundred mature trees catch about 139,000 gallons of rainwater per year.
- Homeowner savings: Strategically placed trees save up to 56 percent on annual air-conditioning costs. Evergreens that block winter winds can save 3 percent on heating.
- Better business: Consumers shop more frequently and longer in tree-lined commercial areas and are willing to spend more.
- Higher property values: Each large front yard tree adds to a home’s sale price.
Source: US Department of Agriculture
Become a Tree Ambassador
Join our street team and learn tree identification, care, and how to find help for trees in their neighborhood. Call 248-246-3999 to learn more about training workshops and volunteer opportunities.