MORENCI — The city of Morenci has released the third draft of its Urban Forestry Management Plan and is inviting community members to review the document and share feedback before it is finalized.
Arborist Steve Lane discussed the plan with the Morenci City Council at the February council meeting.
Lane inventoried nearly 1,500 trees when he was in town last fall to do fieldwork for the plan. A total of 79 different tree species are represented among the trees on city property. That diversity is good news, Lane said, noting that one of the reasons Michigan has had such bad problems with the Emerald Ash Borer is that there are towns whose tree populations are overwhelmingly dominated by ash. A more diverse tree population is more resilient, he explained.
The plan is currently open for public comment as the city gathers community input on the plan’s overall direction, priorities, and concepts. At this stage, the document has not yet undergone a final grammar and spelling review, and feedback is encouraged at a high level rather than focused on minor edits.
In his presentation to the council, Lane noted that a plan like this is a living document.
“This is meant to be a flexible plan,” he said. “It’s not a stone tablet that’s being handed down to say ‘you have to do this, that or the other thing.’ ”
He also said that while there are challenges — such as inadequate mulching, trees that are the wrong size for their site, or trees planted too close to the sidewalk — overall Morenci’s urban forest has been well managed.
“You all are doing a really good job, by and large, managing your trees,” he said.
An urban forestry management plan is a long-range, 20-year framework that guides how a community manages its trees and forestry-related programs. The plan provides an overview of Morenci’s existing tree canopy and outlines a vision for its future. It addresses tree planting, removals, and pruning, identifies issues observed during the tree inventory, and includes projections related to maintenance, staffing, budgeting, and community engagement. The tree inventory that informed the plan was conducted between August and October 2025, and the plan also reflects input from two community open houses and discussions with public works staff.
The draft plan is available for review on the city website at cityofmorenci.org. Printed copies can also be picked up at Morenci City Hall, 118 Orchard St.
Community members may submit written comments via email to [email protected] by March 23.
Written comments may also be submitted to City Hall prior to the hearing.
Revisions to the plan will be completed by the end of March, with adoption anticipated at the April 13 city council meeting.
Funding for the project is provided by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program.