Forestry
Impact
The Forestry Division maintains around 10,000 trees each year totaling over $1.2 million in eco benefits. These benefits include greenhouse gas, water, energy, air quality and property. Information is tracked and recorded on our TreeKeeper Website.
Forestry Role
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.
Trees on private property are to be maintained by the property owner, including pruning and removal if it becomes a hazard or dead. Current Tree Service Businesses (PDF) that are licensed in Burlington. For more information on tree requirements (planting, maintenance, and removal) in the City, check City Code Chapter 151 Trees.
Report a Downed City Tree / Limb Here
Tree Board
The City of Burlington Tree Advisory Board is tasked with advising the City Council and administration on matters related to our City’s trees.
Tree City USA
The City of Burlington has been recognized as a Tree City USA community every year for 32 consecutive years. A community must meet 4 standards to qualify for this recognition.
- Community must have an established Tree Board or Department
- A Tree Care Ordinance must be in place
- A community forestry program must exist and meet a minimum annual budget requirement
- An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation annually