Attention, Cleveland residents!

Our homes are under siege by invasive trees on the city’s tree lawns. These trees, while beautiful and appreciated for the shade they provide during hot summer months, have roots that burrow deep into our sewer main lines, causing backups into our basements. For many of us, this means costly plumber visits (averaging $300-$500 per visit) and devastating water damage that leads to lost property and financial stress.

I’ve lived in my home for seven years and have had to snake my sewer main once or twice each year because of this issue. Recently, a plumber discovered through a camera inspection that 3-4 different root systems from a tree on the city’s property are infiltrating my sewer line. Yet, when I reached out for help:

• The city’s Water Pollution Control Department said it’s my responsibility to fix the damage—even though the roots causing it are on their property, as is the effected part of the sewer main line.
• The Department of Urban Forestry refused to remove the tree because it’s still alive. They also warned that I’m prohibited from removing it myself under threat of steep fines, jail time, and misdemeanor charges.

This is unacceptable! The city’s property is damaging our homes, creating public health hazards with raw sewage, and lowering property values as our taxes continue to increase. If our private property were causing damage to city property, you can bet they’d demand immediate action. Why doesn’t the same apply to them?

We love our trees and the benefits they provide to our neighborhoods, but not at the expense of causing extensive, expensive damage to our homes and creating public health hazards with raw sewage. The city’s property is damaging ours, and it’s time for accountability.

We demand that Cleveland take responsibility for:

1. Repairing damage caused by tree roots to sewer main lines on the city’s side of the property.
2. Removing trees on tree lawns that are causing significant damage to private property.

Your voice matters! By signing this petition, we can push for a solution that balances the value of our trees with the need to protect our homes and families. Let’s hold the city to the same standards they hold us to.

Sign the petition now! Together, we can create a better and fairer Cleveland for all.

#ClevelandHomeowners #TreeLawnIssues #Accountability #PublicHealth #SignThePetition