MUNICIPAL TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

This Landscape Architect has developed a tree planting program that sells itself to the taxpayer. The program is cost effective, can be done completely by contractors or volunteers, and gets high praise because residents can see their tax dollars at work.

The program begins in the fall of the year before the tree planting is to be done. A plant list is prepared which contains approximately 60% small flowering trees, a couple of evergreens and the remainder in tall shade trees. The list, estimated quantities, and preferred sizes are sent to known local nurseries to check for price and availability. Once the information is obtained, quantities can be refined in number and tree sizes. This information is sent to local tree planting contractors for their price per tree per size. Once they have responded and all the prices are ready, everything is added up and the quantity is adjusted to match the available funds. When all this is done, the trees can be ordered and the contractors committed to do the project in the spring.

During the quiet time of winter, a detailed description and photograph of each tree variety that will be planted, is prepared. These photos will help resident's select the tree they would like in front of their house. The descriptions will answer questions like the color of the fruit, insect resistance, size, etc.

Starting on March 1, the first 100 people who are on the waiting list are called. Half hour appointments are scheduled and a visit is made to the home. The resident can select the tree they would like to have, provided it is suitable for their property, and the location can be worked out together. The spot is marked with a stake or colored spray paint. Once the first 100 people are contacted, continue in smaller blocks of appointments until all the available trees have homes. People who can not decide on a tree and those not called go to the top of next year's waiting list.

The trees usually start to arrive in mid-April through the month of May in the regions of New England and the Mid-Atlantic States. As the trees arrive they should be inspected and stored in woodchips. If watering is needed, it should be applied every few days until the trees are planted. Meanwhile, once all the tree locations have been determined, the local utilities must be notified so all the underground services can be marked and the trees can be moved to avoid conflicts. Planting begins as soon as the utilities are marked and all permissions have been obtained.

The contractors pick up the trees they need for each day and load them onto the trucks, where they are watered again. The contractor should dig the holes by hand and according to the latest horticultural practices. The trees should be watered during and immediately after planting, mulched, and watered again. No staking, guying, or truck wrapping are necessary.

When the planting process is finished, the trees are inspected and the homeowner is given a sheet of paper informing them about how to care for the tree. It is usually at this time that the homeowner indicates how pleased they are with this process and how happy they are with their tree. When it comes time to review the tree planting budget, the city will readily accept the planting cost because there are so many happy residents resulting from this program. From start to finish, the consulting service takes about 4 weeks of labor for every 100 trees planted.

Tips to buy more trees for the available funds:

·         Plant bare root trees. The cost to purchase is 1/3 to 1/2 the price of balled and burlapped (B&B) and the planting cost is 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of B & B.

·         Purchase trees in quantities of 10 or more to take advantage of bulk discounts

·         Purchase as many trees as possible from the fewest number of nurseries to reduce shipping costs.

·         Consider joint purchases with other communities and other departments.