Planting Street Trees

The City encourages the planting of shade trees on the parking strip. Due to the parking strip being only five feet wide and bounded by the streets and sidewalks, difficult environmental conditions exist for the trees.

The City has adopted regulations in order to ensure that the trees that are planted will provide shade and increase property value with a minimum of problems for the trees, the property owner, and the City. Trees that are permitted on the parking strip are selected to provide shade with a minimum of disease, insect, and maintenance problems. They are deep-rooted and are unlikely to damage the sidewalk or curb, while being large enough to be trimmed over the sidewalk and street. Contact forestry for a complete list.

The City has also adopted regulations stating trees must stay at least five feet away from the water and gas services. A ten-foot distance is recommended to allow work on any underground lines. Call the City Water Department and gas company for location of their services.

We recommend that trees not be planted closer than ten feet from the driveway, as it could block the vision of any oncoming traffic. On a corner lot a 30-foot distance is required from the intersection.