Best Practice Action Detail

The City requires a minimum of one street tree be planted for each 50 feet of street frontage throughout the City. In the B-2 and B-3 District, street trees are required at a minimum of every 40 feet of frontage. The TCAAP Redevelopment Code also requires street trees be planted at a spacing of 40 feet. In addition, the City has established minimum tree planting requirements for new development and redevelopment projects based on the size and use of the project. For commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential projects, a minimum number of caliper inches must be provided based on the gross square footage of the building divided by 320. Single-family residential subdivisions are required to provide a minimum of 3 new tree plantings in the front yard.

Bloomington has developed and maintained a variety of streetscapes and pocket parks since the 1980’s. Elements included in these areas are sidewalk tree plantings using structural soil, rain gardens, pervious pavements, benches, public art and place making.

Hutchinson works closely with private parties to both identify issues and help promote vigor in its tree population. This is achieved through public education and close working relationships between the Parks, Public Works, and Utilities departments. Our robust boulevard tree program is made apparent by the thick tree cover that is found through the City on both private properties and public right of way. Detailed inventories coupled with intensive planning for tree diversification are used to ensure a sustainable urban forest.

In 2012, the Moorhead City Council determined the Forestry Department would plant the boulevard trees in new developments rather than having developers plant the trees and include it in the special assessment for the property. Since implementing the new policy, Forestry has increased the average number of trees planted from 411 to 709 trees planted per year.

Rochester's Tree ordinance which was implemented during late 2009 is making great strides to begin maximizing and improving tree planting along all streets and newly developed streets through out the city. The ordinance requires all new development and redevelopment either pay in lieu of or plant trees as recommended by the city forester with in the right of the way on the designated property if trees do not currently exist or meet the new ordinance.

Arlington works closely with private parties to identify issues and help promote a robust tree population. This is achieved through public education and close working relationships between the School, City staff, Parks Committee, Shade Tree Committee and the City’s forester. Our robust boulevard tree program is made apparent by the thick tree cover that is found throughout the City on private properties and public right of way. Detailed inventories gathered by Sibley East students tied with planning for tree diversification are used to ensure a sustainable urban forest.

West 78th Street is Chanhassen's main street and has been a priority planting area since it was upgraded in the early '90s. Center islands are planted with trees and shrubs as well as boulevard areas. Businesses are required to install boulevard trees and parking lot landscaping.

Whitefish Area Property Owner's Association (WAPOA) cooperated with Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District to sponsor an Annual Tree Sale beginning in 2015 and continuing until present time. Acting on the knowledge that increasing tree coverage around the lakes had a positive impact on water quality, they procured a grant to subsidize the cost and ordered in large bulk quantity to further reduce the price. To date, 16,000 trees and shrubs have been sold and planted in critical areas of the watershed resulting over time in the reduction of groundwater runoff.

The Local Lions Club, ordered 672 trees (one for each resident) and gave to each resident to plant. These were paid for by the Hoffman Lions Club.

All commercial zones; C1, C2, and C3 have planting requirements specified in their design standards. Recently our C-2 downtown just was renovated and multiple trees were added in every bock of the downtown.

The city recently adapted a very comprehensive tree ordinance including requirements of street trees. The city also has a very strong tree rebate program where they will cover 50% or $100 of any street shade tree purchased by residence.

In Maplewoods Living Streets policy, a city wide tree plan was created. In this plan, trees were planted during all new construction and renovation projects in the city. This creates cleaner air, a reduction in stormwater, and the interception of rain water through leaves and branches.

These trees increase the health of the Urban Forest by creating diversity in genetics and species types.

The City of Marshall has enacted a landscape ordinance that requires specific green space and tree plantings within developments. A copy is available on the City website. The landscaping ordinance is reviewed with all proposed development submissions. The ordinance specifies the rate of trees per square foot of exposed ground, per foot of lot street frontage, multiple species and disease resistance requirements, etc. The City has its own tree farm that includes a wide variety of evergreen and deciduous species and uses the trees throughout the City for replacements and new developments. Marshall Municipal Utilities invests in tree planting and sells trees at low prices to customers to be planted within the community.

As a part of approval for conditional use permits we require a landscaping plan be presented. When the applicant is planning to cut trees the commission is good about offering alternatives limiting the number of mature trees removed in any way we can that is not onerous. In the cases where this is not possible we put a condition on their CUP stating new trees must be planted. Depending on the use, lot size, and location the requirement may be to plant 5 new trees or it may be that the owner must allow the natural trees to remain as a 50 ft buffer around the parcel. The community as well as the city is very protective of our trees so every effort is made to protect as many as possible throughout the city.

Since the year 2000, the City of Oakdale's Tree Board has sponsored a tree planting project along the city's main north/south thoroughfare, Hadley Avenue. The Hadley Avenue Streetscape Project has added hundreds of trees, bushes and wildflowers along the entire six miles of roadway, focusing on a different stretch of roadway each year.



Also, for the past 37 years the city has hosted the Peter Graske Tree Giveaway each spring, in celebration of Arbor Day. A variety of different trees are provided to Oakdale residents free of charge to plant in their own yards. As a result of this event there are thousands of new trees growing throughout the city.

Street trees are on both sides of all of streets (main & residential); about 90% of properties have at least 1 boulevard tree.

The City planted 700 trees on both sides of 76th St. reconstruction project. It is common practice on street projects to landscape with tree planting.

This list is for 2012 only...we create this type of list every year with a minimum of 225 trees planted throughout boulevards and parks.

Saint Paul’s urban forest is planted is by the city, with the help of hired contractors, and city residents. While the City of Saint Paul is responsible for public spaces tree planting, the residents of Saint Paul are encouraged to add to and maintain our beautiful urban forest on private property. However, if residents are interested in planting a tree on the public boulevard or on their property, a residential tree planting guide has been developed to assist in the decision-making process along with a permit process for the boulevard space.

The City also has a Street and Park Tree Master Plan available online that allows the City of Saint Paul and its residents to plan for and maintain a diverse and vital urban forest. This document outlines the goals, strategies, and criteria that will help guide planning and management decisions through the use of established best management practices and innovative approaches.

It is the intention of the Street and Park Tree Master Plan to be used as a comprehensive guide by city staff, public and private developers, and property owners for the selection, placement, and proper maintenance of trees in parklands and along major transportation corridors, thoroughfares, and residential streets within the city. The information found within this document is also intended to assist homeowners with the selection of trees for their own properties.

In 2013 the City of Albert Lea completed the Broadway Avenue Streetscape project. The project brought downtown into compliance with the complete streets ordinance passed in 2009. Tree boxes were added to Broadway Avenue on both sides at intervals averaging no more than 40 feet.

The City's downtown Ring Route is approximately 2.75 miles long and contains 417 established trees. Trees are planted in 4' by 4' opening in decorative concrete boulevard surface and are spaced approximately 25' apart.

A 2012 revamp of downtown streets included a street scape/ landscape with many street trees included.

Burnsville's Heart of the City (downtown) has trees on both sides of the street at intervals of 30 feet. Beginning in 2012, Burnsville has a Boulevard Tree Planting Permit program for residents and businesses.

The City Forestry Department works to maintain a strong and healthy urban forest by planting trees in boulevard and parks for decades. They work to ensure the correct tree is planted in the right location for the long term survival of the urban forest. Trees are removed and replanted in these areas as needed. Special attention is given to root placement and depth when planting to avoid stem girdled roots which results in premature decline in trees. Species diversity is a major factor when determining which trees to plant. Historically high numbers of elm trees were planted in cities only to be later removed because of Dutch Elm Disease. Similar concerns surround over-planting of ash trees and the current threat of Emerald Ash Borer. The City uses native trees whenever possible and hybrids have proven to do well. Staff also utilizes the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources list of species nature to ecological regions in Minnesota. In 2014 the city completed an inventory of all trees in city boulevards, parks and public buildings. This information continues to be used to determine areas for reforestation, coordinated tree planting and monitoring health of changing urban forests.

Since 2014, Crookston has used $36,965.64 on trees planted in parks, around the Crookston Sports Center, and along major roads in town.
The Crookston Parks & Recreation Department plans for a number of trees for replacement on boulevards and newly built housing on a yearly basis. The City Parks, wind breaks on new developments and some shielding on roadways entering the Community are other areas of concentration yearly as well. Trees of various sizes are purchased and planted by our crews and or by a local landscape nursery each season. The next five years, Crookston has budgeted for $14,000 to be used to plant 90-110 trees per year along the areas of interest.

The City of Delano recently approved the reconstruction of two thoroughfares in downtown. The reconstruction designs ensure that the sidewalks will be expanded to allow for street trees to be planted.

The City has adopted a plan to maximize plantings in the Town Center Area within the Major Center Area Street Scape Master Plan.

Complete: Trees were planted along the 50th and France shopping district sidewalks on both sides of the street. The tree wells are approximately 40 ft or less apart excluding dirveways and utility vaults. In 2011 the city also planted 21 trees in Creek Valley Park.

The City’s downtown redevelopment plan identifies street embellishments, including planting containers, trees, benches, lights and banners along its main street and major downtown corridors.

The City has developed a plan to improve the major boulevards throughout the city with the introduction of trees. The first of these improvements was completed in 2012, with the planting of Orono Parkway, in front of the civic campus, where over story and ornamental trees were added to the existing prairie grasses, and wildflowers. Groupings of 2-3 trees linearly spaced were planted approximately 50 feet apart along the median totaling around 40 trees.

The City has developed a plan to improve the appearance of major intersections throughout the community. The first intersection was completed in 2012, with the improvements to the Highway 169 and Main Street intersection.

In 2010 the City of Falcon Heights completed a major streetscaping project along our major thoroughfare, Larpenteur Avenue. The nearly two mile stretch of county road is the second most heavily traveled raodway in the city (behind Snelling Avenue, a state highway). In addition, Larpenteur is a major gateway for the over one million visitors to the Minnesota State Fair. The project added 116 trees in the boulevards and medians where only concrete was present before.

The trees in the downtown area are ash trees. The city is systematically replacing them with the ornamental Japanese Lilac Tree which is better for an urban environment.

The City of Grand Marais Parks Department in partnership with a grant from the Minnesota DNR recently completed the planting of 200+ trees in our public lands within the city.

First Street: 25 trees were planted (mixture of crabapple, linden, maples). Grates were added to protect roots and trees, and an irrigation system installed. Planting was a community event: many people showed up to help plant the trees, and a party was held afterward, with a drink token from the local brewery provided to each volunteer. Fun was had by all!

The city planted trees along Main Street.

Adding trees downtown as a part of the Riverfront Renaissance project during Phase 3.

60% of Mainstreet planted on both sides but theyre not at 40 or less tree planting interval.
The City currently has 4 trees per block on each side of the street. This density is maximized as there are signs, refuse containers, lights, etc that must also share space along the sidewalks downtown.
Page 14 of the document from the provided link provides more detail.

Where applicable in Tribal Communities, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe installs appropriate plantings.

Lexington has had 2 new developments built over the last several years. These both have included landscaping plans that require multiple tree plantings. Any new building in the city would also require the same. Our City residential lots are all 3/4 to 1 acre with multiple trees on each, and 2 parks that encompass 20 acres. our city's overall tree canopy is approximately 53%.

A comprehensive Marine Urban Tree Survey and Report has been completed. Next step is for an Urban Tree Plan to be created that can be implemented by the City Council (target 2017). The survey was done by a professional forester/Marine GreenStep Cities Committee member, with the help of volunteers, as a capstone project for the St. Croix Master Watershed Stewards Certificate Program, which is offered by the St. Croix River Association and St. Croix Valley Association, and is funded through an EPA grant.

Streetscape designs have been incorporated to include boulevard trees throughout the downtown area. Highways included are Old Highway 8, 10th Street NW, and County Road E2.

The city's 2015 comprehensive landscaping plan for Xylon Avenue North included dozens of trees and plants.

Approximately 150 new trees will be installed throughout the parking lots and public areas as part of the new police station/city hall and Civic Center Park construction.

The City of Red Wing has a distinct downtown district and a main throughfare with tree planting efforts in each. We do maximize tree planting throught the city, however, we're selective on some of the major roads because they are actually state controled roads. We could put more shade trees along major roads but it's not necessarily in our best interest because we do not want to interfere with the state in any way. On our downtown main street, however, we do try to maximize the tree planting.

Completed. Where not in conflict with utilities, the City plants to increase canopy coverage.

The City of St. Anthony works actively with residents to plant new trees and replace diseased trees along all main streets.

The City is commmitted to improving the downtown streetscape with quality design. The direction set in the Streetscape Guidelines and Urban Design Plan is reinforced in the Downtown Framework Plan of the Comprehensive Plan. A number of trees are planted in Downtown following the recommendations of primary, secondary or local street streetscape treatments stated in the Downtown Framework Plan.

When the new bridge was constructed in the city and Benton Drive (main street) was improved through the downtown section, trees were planted along the street and in the medians as recommended by a landscape architect. Trees were planted from 1st Street S to 8th Street N, with the heaviest concentration from 1st Street S to 3rd Street N., which is the central downtown area. Trees were planted on some side streets in this area for one block off Benton.

Beginning in 2000, street reconstruction projects included boulevard and right of way tree planting. This included the Hamilton District downtown area.

6th Street and Waterfront Drive in the city are the main entryways to Downtown Two Harbors. Both roads have trees on both sides of at least 60% of the street.

The City of Winthrop was the recipient of a DNR tree grant in 2014. We are currently working towards our Tree City USA designation.

The City encourages tree plantings on boulevards in new residential subdivisions, and requires three trees per lot. In addition, Section 24-248 of the Zoning Ordinance requires that enough trees be planted in commercial areas such that at maturity the tree canopy will equal 25% of the site area. Tree species are categorized as small, medium, and large tree canopy trees, and credit is given based on the anticipated size of the trees’ canopy at maturity.

In addition planting plans were in place for Lake Road, Valley Creek Road, Radio Drive and Settlers Ridge Parkway. According to the plans, trees were planted at a distance of 30 feet between trees where possible.