City Of Rochester, Indiana

Tree Removal and Replacement Program

Managed by the City of Rochester's Tree Board

Rochester Named Tree City USA

The City of Rochester has been named a Tree City USA for 2012 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:

1. A Tree Board or Department
2. A Tree Care Ordinance
3. A Comprehensive Community Forestry Program
4. 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 fore 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 remove the tree, including stump. The firm cutting the tree is responsible for the removal of the wood, small limbs, and branches.  Please complete the combined Tree Removal, Pruning, and New Tree request form (click here to download) or pick up at City Hall, 320 Main St, Rochester, IN.  It is anticipated through an aggressive tree planting program the City of Rochester will maintain its urban forest and tree-lined streets and 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. 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. Tree species are determined by the Tree Board. A list of available trees is available at City Hall. Priority will be given to property owners where tree removal has occurred or in areas of the City that lack street trees. If you are interested in receiving a tree to be planted and your property is within the City of Rochester, you may apply to the Tree Board for a free tree. Please complete the combined Tree Removal, Pruning, and New Tree request form (click here to download) or pick up at City Hall, 320 Main St, Rochester, IN. if you want to be considered for the program.