Columbus Tree Assistance Program

Columbus Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

Application Materials

• 2026 Application
• Group Status Letter Template
• Participation Acknowledgment and Authorization Letter Template
• Budget Template and Example
• Planting Plan Sketch Sample
• Preferred Vendors
• Example Tree Species List 

This assistance award is competitive, and applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Planting Plan Efficacy – How strong is the application in terms of site knowledge, conservation practices, and project team experience?
• Canopy Impact – Is the project located in an area with low (less than 20 percent) canopy cover, or is the canopy cover lacking at the project site itself?
• Community Connection – How well does the project connect and engage with the local community and partner organizations, both before and after implementation?
• Future Maintenance – How does the project ensure the longevity and best management of these trees? (Tree collars/protection, mulching, etc.)
• Underserved Community – Will the project be located in a historically underserved community (Celebrate One Neighborhoods, UMFP Priority Equity Areas, CDC Social Vulnerability Index, or others described in the application)? Here are some links to data sources: 
  • Tree Equity Score Analyzer
  • Columbus CelebrateOne Zip Codes
  • Columbus Economic Development Opportunity Zones 
  • Columbus Urban Forestry Priority Planting Map (Map 4.4 - Page 79 of 158)
  • US EPA Environmental Justice Screening Tool* & US EPA Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool*
    • *These tools were removed from federal government websites in January and February 2025, but you can use the unofficial archived versions from Public Environmental Data Partners for your grant application.

Eligible Expenses

• Native trees (5 to 15 gallon containerized trees, ~4-6' tall)
• Delivery costs
• Contractor/augering fees (not to exceed 20% of the total award)
• Tree planting/maintenance supplies (not to exceed 20% of total award)
• Other necessary conservation expenses approved by Franklin Soil and Water

Ineligible Expenses

• Projects previously completed or in progress
• Design and consulting fees
• Research
• Non-native species
• Compact tree varieties used for screening (e.g. 'Green Giant' Arborvitae, 'Taylor' Red Cedar) 
• Salary and administration
• Food or gifts
• Sales tax
• Pass-through costs like subsidies, discounts, or contractor fees
• Educational displays that exceed more than 20 percent of the total cost
• Anything deemed inappropriate by Franklin Soil & Water

Resources

• Tools (Shovels, gloves, etc.)- Keep Columbus Beautiful
• Standard Tree Planting Diagram
• Columbus Tree Technical Manual
• Planting Guidance
  • https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/Tree-Planting-for-Today-and-Future#:~:text=This%20allows%20the%20growing%20roots,the%20ODNR%20Division%20of%20Forestry.
  • https://arbordayblog.org/treeplanting/why-its-great-to-plant-trees-in-the-fall/
  • https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/containerized.cfm
  • https://arbordayblog.org/treeplanting/need-know-planting-right-tree-right-place/#:~:text=Just%20like%20with%20utilities%2C%20there,a%20corner%20of%20your%20home.
• Utility Guidance
  • Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS, 811, Call Before You Dig)
  • https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/utility-line-clearing-and-tree-trimming#:~:text=Avoid%20planting%20small-growing%20trees,boxes%20for%20buried%20power%20lines
  • https://www.aepohio.com/community/projects/tree-trimming/right-tree
• Maintenance & Protection Practices
  • Deer Damage Prevention
  • Watering
  • Mulching
  • Pruning

*Organizations can apply for multiple programs (i.e TAP & mini-grant) for different projects (i.e. residential tree planting project & rain garden project). Projects may only be awarded from one program.