Ray Julin
City Arborist
489-2775

General Guidelines

• All trees planted in the public right of way must be 1 ¾” – 2 ¼ “caliper ball and burlap stock.

• All trees planted for screening or landscape barrier purposes must be ball and burlap stock.

• All landscape plans submitted for development review must be approved by the Director of Buildings and Grounds.

• All trees planted in the public right-of way must be planted after Labor Day or before Memorial Day.

• Street trees may only be planted in planter strips that are at least six feet wide.

• Trees in planter strips must be of approved species.

• Trees in planter strips must maintain clearance of 7 feet on the sidewalk side and 13 feet on the street side.

• City staff has the right to prune or remove any tree in the public right-of-way as they deem necessary for the benefit of the public concern and safety.

• No citizen or corporation may, at any time, prune, alter, damage, plant, or remove any tree in the public right-of-way without written consent from the Director of Buildings and Grounds or his agent. Any damage may become the liability of the property of the property owner.

Tree Planting Details

• Deciduous trees must be 1 ¾” – 2 ¼”, ball and burlap stock.

• Evergreen trees must be 5’-7’ ball and burlap stock.

• Tree hole shall be dug 2-3 time the diameter of the root ball and only as deep as the root ball.

• Tree root ball shall be at least 12 inches in diameter per each 1 inch of tree caliper and at least 18 inches deep. Ball shall be wrapped tightly with no loose parts.

• Tree should be set in the center of the hole and stood upright. The root flare should be visible and located at, or slightly above, existing ground level. The root flare should never be below ground level.

• Tree shall only be lifted by the wire basket. Never lift tree by grasping trung or limbs or by attaching any type of sling or choker.

• Remove at least the top half of the wire basket. Push remaining basket into the bottom of the hole.

• Fold down burlap into bottom of hole.

• Remove all strings, rope, stakes, taping, tagging, flagging, and any other such items.

• Backfill hole with parent material, compact only enough to hold tree in place. Never use mechanical compaction. Top soil or soil pep may be added to parent material but may not replace parent material. Backfill material should cover root flare slightly but should never be piled against trunk.

• Water generously to soak entire root ball and backfill material. A soil water ring may be formed at the edge of the root ball. Backfill material may need to be added as soil settles below root flare.

• Form a mulch ring around the base of the tree. Mulch ring shall be at least 5 feet in diameter and 3” to 4” deep. Do not pile mulch against trunk. Fabric under mulch is not necessary for single trees.

• Properly planted trees generally Do Not Require Staking. If staking is necessary, Stakes should be driven into the ground outside of the root ball. Guying material must be wide and flexible, hose and wire should never be used. Trees shall be staked so that the trunk may move naturally in the wind. Any and all staking materials will be removed after one year’s time. Tree planting season is from Labor Day through Memorial Day. No trees may be planted in public rights-of-way outside of that season. Trees planted while the tree is not dormant will require a two year replacement guarantee.

Shrub Planting Details

• All shrubs shall be 2 gallon, 5 gallon, or ball and burlap stock.

• Hole should be dug at least twice the diameter of the root ball and only as deep as the root ball.

• Gently remove plant from the container and place in the center of the hole. The top of the root ball should be at ground level.

• Backfill the hole with parent material. Top soil or soil pep may be added to parent material but shall not replace parent material.

• Compact soil enough to hold plant in place. Never use mechanical compaction.

• Generously water to soak entire root ball and backfill. A soil water ring may be formed around the outside of the root ball. Backfill material may need to be added after material has settled.

• Mulch shall be added to a depth of 3 – 4 inches and at least twice the width of the root ball.

• When fabric is used, the hole for the plant should be at least 1 ½ time the diameter of the root ball to allow room for the plant to expand and grow naturally.