Street Tree Program

Tree City USA, 2000

Rochester Named Tree City USA

The City of Rochester has been named a Tree City USA for 2000 by The National Arbor Day Foundation. It is the second year Rochester has received this national recognition. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. The efforts of the Tree Board for the City of Rochester, City Council and cooperation of the citizens have made this award possible.

The Tree Boards mission is to promote and direct a program of responsible cooperation between City government, public utilities and individual owners to effectively preserve, protect, plant, prune and positively influence the urban forest of our city.

Tree Removal

In the event a diseased or dead tree needs to be removed before a new tree can be planted, the city will assist the property owner by paying $100.00 towards the removal of a street tree, including the stump. The firm cutting the tree is responsible for the removal of the wood, small limbs, and branches. Please complete the Tree Removal Reimbursement Request Form to receive reimbursement. It is anticipated through an aggressive tree planting program the City of Rochester will maintain its urban forest and tree lined streets that add greatly to the beauty of the city and the well being of the citizens.

Street Tree Planting Program

All trees and shrubs planted between the street and sidewalk or in the street right of way fall under the jurisdiction of the Tree Board. The Tree Board is committed to the fact that healthy trees are important to the community. Planting trees is an attempt to make our community a better place to live.

The Tree Board has decided to use a portion of their budget to purchase trees to be planted in places where trees have been lost to disease, weather or just old age. In 2001 approximately 100 trees, a variety of 3 species, will be available to the citizens free of charge. Trees will have a stem caliper of one and one half inches.

Priority will be given to property owners where tree removal has occurred or in areas of the city that lack street trees.

As a condition of receiving a tree, the property owner must agree to properly care for the tree in such a manner as to promote its growth. This includes watering on a regular basis! If you are interested in receiving a tree to be planted in the Fall of 2001 and your property is within the City of Rochester, you may apply to the Tree Board for a free tree. Please complete the Street Tree Request Form if you want to be considered for the program. Forms are also available at City Hall. Requests for "Street Trees" should be turned in by September 1st to insure consideration this year.