Contract City Arborist in Newport KY


The City of Newport, KY is a community of 15,000 people, located along the Ohio River across from downtown Cincinnati.  The public trees are managed by the City’s Community Services Division, with UCW hired to serve as city arborist on an annual contract basis.  

UCW’s priority is to help the city build an urban forestry management program to the best standards possible with the resources available.  This includes:
  • building a proactive care approach for public trees,
  • updating the tree ordinance,
  • coordinating community planting projects,
  • providing expertise in  tree risk management,
  • reviewing development plans, and
  • improving ongoing communication with citizens.

$1 Million Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant Awarded to Newport for Trees

UCW applied for an IRA grant to build tree canopy in the west side of Newport, which is a disadvantaged neighborhood with the lowest tree canopy in the city.  Newport was award $1 million to remove large amounts of concrete over the next five years and plant trees in this highest need area.

"(The west side) lacks the canopy that the majority of the rest of the city already has the benefit of," says Mayor Tom Guidugli. "The benefits of what the tree canopy provides are significant because they improve air quality, they reduce urban heat, and enhance the overall quality of life."
"Newport's a walkable community," he adds. "Having the shade of a tree on a hot day is something that is a real value to our residents."

Read more at: NPR-WVXU , WCPO, IRA Grants

​UCW worked with city leadership, staff, and the community to set a city-wide goal around tree canopy, establish management zones, use a web-based software for tree inventory and work history management, and ensure the right trees are planted in the right places and that species diversity is considered.   UCW conducted a  young tree pruning training for citizen volunteers, and since then almost 1,000 new street trees have been pruned.  In addition to all of these services, UCW expanded and improved public outreach for the City by  having one-on-one conversations with citizens, making presentations to neighborhood groups, as well as developing a section of the city’s website for updated information and answers to frequently asked questions about trees and the City urban forestry program.  
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UCW has been Newport’s contracted City Arborist for  multiple years and will continue to adapt, adjust, and innovate to manage Newport’s urban forest as effectively and efficiently. ​