Tree Planting Programs

City Capital Improvement Programs

Public Works has planted 1440 trees since 1995 (160 annually to date).

Removal Replacement Program

In 1998, Public Works entered into a cooperative nursery program with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. The nursery is located at Nathanael Greene Park. The area allotted to Public Works is capable of growing 700-800 trees with a target of harvesting 100-200 of these trees each season. As these trees become of adequate size, Public Works crews will be planting them where citizen requests have been received for replacement city trees.

Tree Planting Permit Program

Property owners are encouraged to plant the right trees in close proximity to city streets (either on public right-of-way or on private property). The current City Code provides for a tree permit related to the planting of trees on public property by citizens. This could entail a "do-it-yourself" planting or the City assisted tree-planting campaign known as NeighborWoods. The NeighborWoods program is a partnering between the City, the Springfield Tree City USA Citizens Advisory Committee and recognized neighborhood groups or other non-profit groups for the purpose of enhancing Springfield's community forest. City funds are to be used for purchasing tax-exempt trees from area nurseries through an established City contract and then neighborhood volunteers will plant the trees. This approach relies on the citizen to provide care for the tree in the first three years to ensure better survivability of the tree. The tree permit acts as coordination tool between citizens and the City, and as a commitment to achieve the ultimate goal of having a healthy tree in place for the benefit of the entire community.

Other Programs Under Consideration

Forest ReLeaf of Missouri

A.K.A. "Show Me Trees" or "Project CommuniTree" Program is located in the St. Louis, Missouri metro area. This is a joint project of Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, The Missouri Department of Conservation, St. Louis Community Foundation, Ameren UE, St. Louis metro area forestry departments, AmeriCorps*NCCC and other volunteers, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and The National Tree Trust. The commitment of this 10-acre "growing out station" is to grow 50,000 trees free of charge when used for public plantings. Public Works applies each year for these three to five foot tall trees through this program. If approved, these trees are picked up in the fall at the St. Louis "growing out" station. These trees are then either planted directly, or used as "lining-out stock" at the cooperative nursery for transplanting later, onto public property.

City Firewood Program

This pilot program has begun, but is considered to be still in its infancy. This program involves the City selling firewood as "Recycled City Trees" generated from the City's tree care operations. The main purpose of implementing this program is to reduce the amount of tree debris making there way to the City landfill. If there are proceeds from this program, they will be used to replant city trees (the source of the firewood to begin with). Convenient bundled firewood is available at any of the City Operated Recyling Centers, and bulk firewood is available at the Yardwaste Recyling Center located adjacent to the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant.