Forestry is responsible for the care and management of the public trees within Ann Arbor's urban forest.  Forestry, along with assistance from the Elizabeth Dean Fund, provides a full spectrum of specialized forestry services.

For questions or concerns about a city-managed street or park tree, please contact Forestry at 734-794-6364 or submit an on-line service request through the Citizen Request System.   

What's New in Urban Forestry?

Spring 2013 Street Tree Planting (NEW)
The City is beginning preparations for the spring 2013 tree planting season!  If you receive a postcard in the mail notifying you that street tree planting is coming to your area, and you DO NOT want a tree please contact Forestry by March 1, 2013 at 734.794.6364.  If we do not hear from you, a tree may be planted in front of your home and it cannot be removed.   

For more information on the City's tree planting program and to view the current tree planting plan, please visit the tree planting page at www.a2gov.org/trees. 

Help Us Speak for the Trees (NEW)
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft recommendations for the Urban and Community Forest Management Plan through the online survey, public meeting and A2 Open City Hall.  The overall response to the draft recommendations was very positive.  We continue to review the results in more detail and will make changes to the recommendations based on the feedback received.   

For information on the planning process please visit the Urban & Community Forest Management Plan page.


Dean Fund Committee Meeting (NEW)
The April 9, 2013 Dean Fund Committee Meeting has been cancelled.  The next committee meeting will be Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 9 a.m. at the Wheeler Service Center.


Buy It Where You Burn It!
The movement of firewood is one of the biggest threats to Michigan's trees and forests.  Firewood Scout, is a new website that will help you find local sources of firewood to use when you are camping or vacationing around Michigan.  Visit www.firewoodscout.org for more information. 

In The News -- (click on the title to be directed to the full article)
Michigan DNR: Avoid unnecessary pruning and cutting of oaks to avoid spreading oak wilt

Awards
Visit our Awards & Accolades page to view Urban Forestry awards the City has received.


Memorial/Honor Trees
Interested in planting a tree in a City Park in memory or honor of someone?  Please review the Parks and Recreation Giving Guide (pdf) for information and guidelines.  


DTE Energy Line Clearance/Tree Trimming Program
To view information about DTE Energy's Line Clearance/Tree Trimming program please visit http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/problemsSafety/treeTrim/aboutLineClearance.html
Please note this link will take you away from the City of Ann Arbor website.

Current Forestry Activities

Tree Inventory
The city's tree inventory provides data on the approximately 57,000 street trees, parks trees (in mowed areas) and potential street tree planting sites.  The tree inventory is updated regularly based on tree work performed (ex: tree planting, tree removal).  See the Tree inventory page to view tree inventory data in an interactive GIS map.     

Tree Removal Process
Forestry Field Operations is currently identifying, notifying adjacent property owners and removing the trees identified as "priority removals" in the tree inventory.

1. Forestry Field Operations marks each tree to be removed with a green painted dot on the street side*
2. Residents on the block where a tree(s) will be removed are notified via letter/door hanger.
3. The tree(s) are removed following receipt of the letter by residents.  This may be as soon as 7 days after the letter has been received, or may be longer depending on forestry workload and priorities. 

*Emergency tree removals may not be marked with a green dot or have resident notification prior to removal. 

Tree Trimming
During the city’s focus on dead trees and priority removals, the Forestry unit will conduct limited tree trimming.  Trimming will only be performed in response to clearance issues (road signs, safety, etc.), emergency/immediate hazards, storm damage or construction activities.  Please note that independent contractors not affiliated with city (e.g., contractors for DTE Energy) will continue to perform tree trimming activities.

Elizabeth Dean Tree Fund

In 1964, Elizabeth Dean willed nearly two-million dollars to "be held in a separate fund by the City of Ann Arbor and the income thereof to be used to repair, maintain and replace trees on City property." Only the annual interest income generated by the Dean Trust is utilized, to provide perpetual tree service benefits to the Ann Arbor community. The Dean Fund Committee welcomes citizen requests for special tree planting projects. Visit the Elizabeth R. Dean Trust fund webpage to download a proposal form and copy of project guidelines. 

Page Updated: March 18, 2013