Urban Forestry

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
Earth Fest sapling give away - April
Saplings given to 4th grade students in the River Falls Public Schools and St. Bridget in April
Treatment of Ash trees for EAB
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
Spring and 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

Interested in volunteering with tree plantings?

Organizations (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school groups, church groups, etc.) are welcome to assist in certain tree plantings as a volunteer opportunity. Contact the City Forester Mike Noreen at 715-426-3467 or by email to see if opportunities are available.

Highview Meadows Community Orchard

Since 2016, the City has planted a variety of pear and apple trees on the north hillside of Highview Meadows Park. Now that the trees are well-established and bearing fruit, the community orchard is open to everyone. Please pick only what you can use and save the rest for others. Our orchard is not sprayed with chemicals and will remain untreated until further notice. Harvest periods generally are from September through October.