The Forestry Department maintains and replenishes the woody vegetation in the Village Right-of-Way and in the Village parks, parkways, playgrounds and civic areas. The Forestry Department also plants new trees and shrubs, removes dead and dying trees and stumps, prunes Village trees, maintains a street tree inventory, maintains Village flower beds in the boulevards, and provides assistance to residents on tree related topics.
The Village Participated in the 3rd Annual Arbor Day tree planting ceremony.
Selecting the right trees for our Village streets requires some thought. Our winters prevent using many trees that have proven successful in more moderate climates. Narrow streets and parkways, overhead lines, narrow setbacks, and other nearby trees all limit the size and shape of the trees that can be used in a given location. Some trees, though fast-growing, have weak structure or have aggressive root systems that can cause damage, such as heaving sidewalks.
However, even with all these limitations, it is possible to find a suitable tree for most locations. All that is needed is a commonsense approach to first evaluating the site conditions, and then selecting the best 'fit' from the list of trees allowed in the Village street right-of-way.
Because so many people request maple varieties, a word of caution is necessary. To develop a diverse street tree population and therefore minimize the effects of a catastrophe like Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer in the future, we must not overplant any one species of tree. To achieve this, the planting of maples will be reduced in the future, particularly in the areas that already have high maple populations.
The following list includes trees suitable for right-of-way planting in a variety of sizes, shapes, and aesthetic characteristics. Before a tree is selected, the following will also be taken in to consideration: site limitations, plant availability, and street tree management issues. With that said, Public Works will make every effort to plant your choice given.
| Ginko | Kentucky CoffeeTree |
| Tulip Tree | Swamp White Oak |
| Regal Prince English Oak | Chinkapin Oak |
| American Sentry Linden | Hackberry |
| New Horizon Elm | Frontier Elm |
| New Harmony Elm | Bur Oak |
| Katsura Tree | London Planetree |
| Honeylocust | Ohio Buckeye |
| Northern Catalpa | Black Gum |
| Bald Cypress | Dawn Redwood |
- A general rule of thumb is to use approximately ten gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering. The tree to be planted in the VIllage right-of-way will be one to two inches in diameter. Trees should be watered at least two times per week, for the first growing season, and three times during hot dry conditions. A great reminder to water your tree would be to make it a habit to water when you take your garbage out to the curb.
- Slow watering prevents runoff. Deep watering to a depth of at least 12 inches promotes deep rooting.
- All tree sizes should be watered from April through October.
- Keep mulch around your tree. Mulch will be placed about 3-4 inches deep, and about 24-inch radius around your tree after planting. This will help maintain soil moisture, reduce nutrient competition from weeds and grass, and improve the soil structure. Do not place mulch directly against the stem as it can lead to fungal infections.
- Twenty gallons of water costs Belleville residents about five cents.