Cuyahoga Tree Summit 2025

Name: Cuyahoga Tree Summit 2025
Start: 2025-09-26T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-09-26T15:00:00-04:00
Location: Memorial Hall, Rocky River Civic Center

Schedule

Fri Sep 26 2025 at 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Memorial Hall, Rocky River Civic Center | Rocky River, OH

The 4th Summit focuses on how the regional supply chain may best respond to a growing interest in native trees & effects of climate change.
About this Event

Building on feedback and interest from past events, the 4th annual Cuyahoga Tree Summit will address how the regional supply chain might best respond to a growing interest in native species and the increasing effects of Climate Change. We intend to connect buyers and sellers on timely issues in the industry. The morning will include several presentations focused on these topics while the afternoon will comprise of two interactive panel discussions covering regional supply chain issues and native species availability. If you are in the tree nursery industry, a buyer, landscape designer, municipal forester, or in a related field then your presence would be most valuable at this year's Summit.

Agenda

🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration & Light Breakfast
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:10 AM
Welcome
Host: Rocky River Mayor, Pamela Bobst

Info: Welcome from City of Rocky River representatives

🕑: 09:10 AM - 09:20 AM
Introduction to Cuyahoga Tree Summit 2025
Host: Cuyahoga Tree Summit Organizing Committee

Info: Summary of Cuyahoga Tree Summit 2025 Operation and Goals

🕑: 09:20 AM - 09:55 AM
USDA Climate Change & Tree Atlas
Host: Stephen Matthews, Ohio State University
🕑: 09:55 AM - 10:30 AM
An Eco-Physiological Perspective of Selecting Climate-Resilient Trees for neOH
Host: Kevin Mueller, Cleveland State University
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:20 AM
Ecological Services of Native Trees
Host: Connie Hausman, Cleveland Metroparks
🕑: 11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
Value of the Local Seed Bank
Host: Kim Lessman, Holden Forests & Gardens
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
Supply Chain Issues: Regional Wholesale Nurseries & Large-Scale Planters
Host: John DeHaven, Acorn Farms

Info: Moderator: Chris Vild, City of Beachwood

🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Break
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Native Tree Availability, Product Sizes, & Possibilities for Contract Buying
Host: Kara Benninghofen, Creekside Nursery

Info: Moderator: Kim Brewster Shefelton, Chagrin River Watershed Partners

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:10 PM
Closing Remarks