Morenci Unveils 20-Year Urban Forestry Plan

City seeks public input on blueprint to expand and manage local tree population

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The City of Morenci has released a draft urban forestry plan that outlines how the community will manage and grow its tree population over the next two decades. The plan, which is open for public review, was developed after a citywide tree inventory and aims to guide planting, pruning, and removal programs while identifying staffing, budget, and community engagement needs.

Why it matters

Morenci's urban forest provides significant environmental benefits, valued at over $6.6 million, including carbon storage, pollution reduction, and stormwater mitigation. The plan seeks to build on this asset by increasing species diversity, creating volunteer stewardship programs, and establishing consistent maintenance cycles.

The details

The urban forestry plan was developed after a citywide tree inventory conducted in 2025, which documented 1,439 trees across 79 species, including 888 boulevard trees, 90 park trees, and 460 cemetery trees. Trees along streets and in parks received an average condition rating of 2.85 on a 5-point scale, indicating generally healthy conditions. The analysis also identified 557 open planting sites along city boulevards, meaning the urban forest could expand by roughly 50% if those locations are planted.

  • The citywide tree inventory was conducted between August and October 2025.
  • Public comments on the draft urban forestry plan will be accepted through March 23, 2026.
  • The Morenci City Council is expected to consider adopting the plan at its April 13, 2026 meeting.

The players

City of Morenci

The local government of Morenci, Michigan, which has released the draft urban forestry plan for public review.

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What’s next

The Morenci City Council is expected to consider adopting the urban forestry plan at its April 13, 2026 meeting, after incorporating public feedback and finalizing revisions by the end of March 2026.

The takeaway

Morenci's comprehensive urban forestry plan demonstrates the city's commitment to sustainably managing and expanding its tree population, which provides significant environmental and economic benefits to the community. The public review process allows residents to shape the long-term vision for the city's urban forest.