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1. What is Urban Forestry?

Urban Forestry is stewardship of the local environment through planning for and management of trees growing throughout a city.  These trees may include individuals or groups of trees growing in locations such as residential areas, street right-of-ways, park land, around businesses, on undeveloped lots, or really anywhere that trees might grow within an urban area.  Another major component of urban forestry is education about and advocacy for the many environmental, economic, health, and social benefits that trees and natural ecosystems provide. 

For information about Urban Forestry in Edmond, view the links below:

• Tree Programs – Information about specific tree management programs
• Things to Do - Ways to get involved with the Urban Forestry Department
• Landscape Ordinance - Information about landscape requirements for non-residential developments
• Tree Resources - Educational information about tree planting and care

2. If there is an issue with a tree at my home, can someone from the Urban Forestry Department help me decide what to do?

The Urban Forestry Department offers a tree consultation service for people who live inside Edmond City Limits.  To inquire about visiting on site with an Edmond urban forester, call Leigh at 359-4759 or Jesse at 359-4739.

3. What is the best way to ensure that newly planted trees will survive?

Newly planted trees often experience “transplant shock”, or stress caused by root disturbance at planting and adjustment to the new growing environment.  Transplant shock may be avoided by ensuring that resources are readily available during those first few years while the tree is getting established in its new location.  Here are a few tips to help your tree make it to establishment:

• Provide supplemental water each week during the growing season (or every two weeks during the dormant season) if there has not been at least 1” of rainfall.  We recommend soaking the root ball slowly with your garden hose, gradually moving the hose around the perimeter of the tree.  In addition to soaking the root ball, water the area around the edge of the tree well to encourage outward root growth.
• Spread a 3-4” thick layer of mulch across the area beneath the tree’s drip line (from one edge of the canopy to the other).  Be sure to pull mulch back off the trunk by a couple of inches.
• Be careful when working around the tree with lawn equipment.  Weed eater/lawn mower damage has led to many a casualty in landscape trees.

To learn more maintenance tips for trees, view Tips for Growing Healthy Trees.

4. Will the City take care of trees on private property?

Any trees growing outside of the public right-of-way are not eligible for tree work administered by the city, except through the CDBG Neighborwoods program. However, the Urban Forestry Department has a program for assisting with high risk tree issues on street trees, or trees with the trunk originating within the public right-of-way. To inquire about this program, call Leigh at 359-4759 or Jesse at 359-4739.

5. How do I know if I am eligible for the Foster-A-Tree program?

Participants in the Foster-A-Tree program must meet the following requirements:

• Participating property is located within Edmond city limits
• Planting area is located on a publicly maintained street
• There must be space for a tree within the public right-of-way (close to the street), meaning that the area must be free of conflict with utilities, existing trees, and other infrastructure.
  

Please view Foster-A-Tree for more information and to fill out the online registration form if you are eligible.

6. Do I need a permit to prune or remove a tree at my home?

The City of Edmond does not currently require permits for pruning or removal of trees on residential properties. However, property owners are responsible for trees on their property, as well as in the right-of-way adjacent to their property.  Provisions about maintenance responsibility for trees within the City may be found in Title 2, Chapter 92. 

7. Can the City recommend a tree care service?

While the City cannot recommend specific vendors, the Urban Forestry Department recommends hiring only trained tree care professionals for tree issues. When choosing a tree care professional, the following are recommended:

• Look for an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist.
• Verify that the tree service is insured
• Check for competitive pricing by obtaining multiple quotes
• Ask for references
• Avoid companies who advertise poor tree care practices such as “topping”

8. How can I get free trees through the City?

The City of Edmond offers multiple opportunities for free trees throughout the year.  See below for more information:

• Foster-A-Tree – residents within Edmond city limits who live on public streets may sign up to have a 15 gallon tree planted within the right-of-way of their yard. This program is ongoing from the fall to the spring each year.
• Urban Forestry hosts a tree seedling distribution at the Edmond Public Works/Edmond Electric Open House each fall.  This event is held in early October at Cross Timbers Municipal Complex (I-35 and Covell)
• Periodically, 3 gallon trees are made available to Edmond utility customers through distribution events.  The best way to find out about these events when they are scheduled is by following Urban Forestry on Facebook. 
• Edmond Electric has offered 3 gallon trees to their customers through the Energy Saving Trees program.  This program has been administered in spring and fall.

9. Will the City prune trees around my electric service line?

Edmond Electric performs routine pruning on trees around utility lines.  However, they do not prune trees for private service lines.  For questions about utility pruning, contact Jesse Martin at 359-4739.

10. I have a problem with my neighbor's tree. Can the City help?

The City does not regulate tree management on private property.

11. How can I get involved with Urban Forestry?

Urban Forestry offers multiple programs which promote community engagement.  See below for some of the ways you can participate in enhancing Edmond’s urban forest:

• Attend one of our volunteer events.  Urban Forestry hosts monthly activities that residents may participate in and directly impact the health of the urban forest through tree planting, mulching, invasive species removal, and more.
• Sign up for Foster-A-Tree.  It’s a great way to enhance your landscape, while benefitting the whole community.  By partnering with Edmond residents, Urban Forestry has the ability to plant more trees throughout the City while ensuring that they receive the maintenance that is crucial to their survival in the first couple of years after planting.
• Celebrate Arbor Week. Plant trees at home, participate in a volunteer event, or visit the annual Arbor Day Art Show!  There are many opportunities to participate in this yearly celebration set during the last full week in March.
• Attend an Urban Forestry Commission meeting. The Commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 4:30 PM in the Downtown Community Center (28 E Main St) room 203.
• Submit an entry for the Edmond Tree Awards.  With multiple categories, there are various ways to participate in this awards program from photo contests to landscape awards.
• Engage with us on social media.  Urban Forestry frequently shares on Facebook and Instagram about programs and services and relevant tree information.  Follow us to stay up to date with urban forestry in Edmond.