Columbus Lacks Tree Policy, Putting Residents' Health at Risk

Experts warn that cutting down mature trees exacerbates respiratory issues, especially for vulnerable populations.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 9:34am

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Columbus, Ohio is lacking a comprehensive tree policy to protect mature trees on private development sites, despite recommendations from consultants. Experts warn that the loss of these pollution-filtering trees can contribute to higher rates of respiratory diseases like asthma, which disproportionately impact Black residents. Without action from the city council, Columbus is perpetuating a legacy of respiratory health issues for its residents.

Why it matters

Trees play a vital role in removing fine particulate matter and other pollutants from the air, which can significantly impact respiratory health. Columbus' lack of a comprehensive tree policy means developers are able to cut down mature trees, reducing the city's overall tree canopy and air filtration capacity. This disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, like Black residents, who already face higher rates of asthma and other respiratory diseases.

The details

Columbus currently has a tree policy for city-owned property and rights-of-way, but has not yet developed a policy to protect trees on privately-owned development sites, despite recommendations to do so. Cutting down large, mature trees reduces the city's ability to filter out fine particles from sources like car exhaust, power plants, and wood burning. Replacing these trees with saplings takes decades for them to reach the same air filtration capacity.

  • In March 2025, consultants recommended that Columbus develop a policy to protect trees on private development sites.
  • In 2022, the Ohio Department of Health reported that 6.8% of children in Ohio have asthma, with Black children having asthma twice as much as their White counterparts and being eight times more likely to die from asthma.

The players

Judy Westman

A community advisor of the Dispatch Editorial Board.

Ohio Department of Health

The state health department that reported on asthma rates in Ohio.

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What they’re saying

“Every time large trees are cut down, pollution removal is reduced.”

— Judy Westman, Community Advisor, Dispatch Editorial Board

“Planting a sapling does not have the same effect, as it will take 25 years or more for the sapling to reach the size needed for effectiveness at filtering particles.”

— Judy Westman, Community Advisor, Dispatch Editorial Board

What’s next

The Columbus City Council is expected to consider a new tree protection policy in the coming months, based on the 2025 consultant recommendations.

The takeaway

Columbus' lack of a comprehensive tree policy is putting the respiratory health of its residents, especially vulnerable populations, at risk. Urgent action is needed from city leaders to protect mature trees and ensure the city's tree canopy can effectively filter out harmful pollutants.