City
of Burlington, Iowa
Parks and Recreation Department
Forestry Division
Parks and Recreation Department
Forestry Division
The Forestry Division oversees the planting, care, and removal of trees growing on public Right-Of-Ways, in the city parks, and on other public properties. The forestry crew routinely prunes street trees to prevent view obstructions of traffic and traffic signs, to achieve 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet of clearance over streets, and to remove dead, diseased, or otherwise undesirable growth. Other duties include responding to storm damaged City trees, and the removal of dead, diseased, hazardous, and unauthorized trees.
Street Tree Planting Program
Residents interested in planting one or more trees on a right-of-way adjacent to their property must first contact the City Forester. If a suitable planting site exists, the Forester will discuss the attributes of the most appropriate trees for that site and issue a planting permit. The resident may then shop around on their own and purchase any nursery grade tree approved by the City Forester and either plant it themselves, hire a nurseryman or landscaper to plant it, or request to have the Forestry Division plant it for them.
Residents who choose to plant the tree themselves will be provided written planting instructions and requirements. Following a planting inspection where all requirements have been met, the City will reimburse the resident 50% of the cost of the tree up to $50 per tree planted.
Residents who choose to hire the planting to be done will be provided written planting instructions and requirements that must be followed by whomever they hire. The tree will be inspected and when all requirements have been met, the City will reimburse the resident 50% of the cost of the tree up to $50 per tree planted.
In lieu of reimbursement, residents who obtained a planting permit and purchased a tree approved by the City Forester may arrange for the Forestry Division to plant it. The City will dig the hole, plant, and spread wood chips around the new tree. Planting under this option is restricted to the months of April, May, September, and October. Contact the City Forester for details on all the planting options.
Sidewalk Program
It is the responsibility of abutting property owners to repair, replace or reconstruct all broken or defective sidewalks and to maintain in a safe and hazard-free condition any sidewalk outside the lot and property lines and inside the curb lines or traveled portion of the public street (137.04). If it can be determined that a public sidewalk was raised or broken by the roots of a street tree growing on the Right-Of-Way, the Forestry Division Sidewalk Program will assist in removing the problem roots and partially reimburse the abutting property owner the cost of replacing the displaced or broken sections of public sidewalk. Contact the City Forester if you believe you qualify under this program.
Other Services
* Answers to questions about street trees on Right-Of-Ways.
* Answers to questions about permissible landscape plantings on Right-Of-Ways.
* Permits for pruning or removal of street trees.
* Stockpiles of free wood chips.