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Urban Forestry
About River Falls Urban Forestry
River Falls Urban Forestry is responsible for the care and maintenance of over 8000 park, boulevard, and greenspace trees throughout River Falls. The City has had a City Forester on staff since 1990.
River Falls has been named a Tree City USA for over 22 years in a row and continually aims to grow a healthy and diverse urban forest.
Urban Forestry Mission Statement
The mission of the City’s Urban Forestry Program is to preserve and perpetuate one of the community’s most valuable natural resources and assets, its municipal forest of trees on public property. This includes trees on boulevards, parks, and other City properties.
Maximizing Natural Amenities
The City of River Falls has many natural amenities that provide a quality living and working environment for its residents and visitors. The local rivers, streams, lakes, wild areas, topography, and trees are some of these valued resources. These amenities must be properly managed to maximize their potential and prevent deterioration. Our urban trees play an essential and beautiful aspect of this environment.
Urban trees also provide social, economic and environmental benefits. A healthy, diverse urban forest increases property values, reduces crime, cleans the air, reduces storm water runoff into the Kinnickinnic and mitigates our impact on climate change.
Unlike a typical woods, Urban forests have unique parameters that require constant monitoring and maintenance. Urban pressures such as soil compaction, road salt, dry conditions, disease and insect damage can lead to stressed trees. Reducing potential hazards such as hanging limbs and removing dying or diseased trees are part of maintaining a healthy urban forest.
Urban Forestry Annual Projects & Events
- Arbor Day tree planting event(s) in late April
- Removal of Ash and replacement with other species
- Spring inspection of public trees identifying hazards or trees in decline
- Ongoing tree removals of dying or diseased trees
- Storm cleanup and tree inspections after severe weather events
- Fall inspection of public trees identifying hazards or trees in decline before leaf drop
- Fall tree planting of 80 to 150 trees in our public boulevards, parks, and green spaces
- Winter boulevard tree pruning
Have questions on a City-owned tree? Please visit our Urban Forestry FAQ page
Online Tree Resources
- Municode Chapter 8.12 - City of River Falls Nuisance Tree Ordinance
- USDA Tree Owner’s Manual
- City of River Falls Approved Boulevard Tree Planting List
Helpful Links
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Mike Noreen
Conservation & Efficiency Coordinator/City ForesterPhone: 715-426-3467
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Erica Ellefson
Public Works ManagerPhone: 715-426-3406