The Village of Bellevue Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department maintains all public trees along streets, in parks, and on other public properties.
FORESTRY PERMITS
Tree Planting Permit Application, Tree Work Removal Permit Application
For more information on the Village’s Tree Specifications, please view our Arboricultural Specifications Manual.
Street Tree Pruning
Trees may be pruned for many reasons, such as to remove branches that are dead, dying, diseased or damaged, or to thin the canopy to increase air and light penetration to inside of the canopy or the landscape below. Branches may be removed to achieve a minimum clearance height of 16 feet at the curb and 8 feet above sidewalks, although the crowns of trees are often brought to same height over both curb and sidewalk for aesthetic purposes. A crown ratio of 50 – 60% is standard post-pruning. Clearance above the road allows vehicles to pass without contacting tree branches, which may cause damage. Vehicles prone to damage from low hanging limbs include school buses, garbage trucks, snowplows, emergency vehicles, street sweepers and other tall vehicles that may be driving or operating close to the curb. Pruning is important to ensure trees are safe and healthy and pose the least risk to people and targets that exist in the surrounding area.
As part of the Village’s Urban Forestry Program, the Village prunes street trees within the right-of-way adjacent to businesses, rental properties, homes and on other public property between November and March each year. The Village is divided into 5 tree pruning zones and only one of the five zones is trimmed each year. For a map of tree zones click here. Young trees receiving training cuts may be trimmed more frequently. Pruning is performed by Village staff and managed by the Village Forester following ANSI Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations-Pruning (ANSI A 300 (Part I) Current Edition) as identified by the Village’s Tree Ordinance and Arboricultural Specifications Manual. Scheduled tree pruning is planned for Zone 4 for the Winter of 2025/2026, although staff will be finishing Zone 5 trees that were unable to be completed in time last year first.
There are approximately 5,048 trees in Bellevue’s public tree inventory. The trees are comprised of 24 families, 54 genera and 119 species that range in age, size and condition. The Village has been awarded Tree City USA from the Arbor Day Foundation on an annual basis since 2003. Any questions can be directed to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department at (920) 468-5225
Tree Planting Programs
NEW SUBDIVISIONS TREE PLANTING
Through the new subdivisions tree planting program, the Forestry Department initiates the planting of street trees within the right-of-way adjacent to new homes, upon their completion. This planting typically occurs once a year during the spring for homes with an established lawn and upon issuance of an occupancy permit. In most cases, the cost of the trees is paid for by the developer of the home or subdivision to fund the planting of trees. Tree species, quantities and locations are selected by the Village Forester using parameters for space, site conditions and proximity to surrounding utilities.
PLANTING OF TREES WHEN STREETS ARE RECONSTRUCTED
There are many homes within subdivisions in Bellevue that were built prior to any kind of street tree planting program. These homes account for many of the subdivisions within the Village that are located west of Main Street. In an initiative to bring street trees to these neighborhoods, the Village plants street trees upon completion of road and utility reconstruction projects. According to municipal code § Chapter 427 – 6C, organized street tree planting along established streets may occur if a full road reconstruction has occurred, referring to the replacement of all underground utilities in addition to road resurfacing. This program allows residents in older subdivisions to benefit from the planting of trees. Some primary streets within the Village that have received trees from this planting program include Town Hall Road, Hazen Road, Guns Street and Manitowoc Road.
TREE PLANTING PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS
Urban trees contribute many benefits to residents and visitors of the community by providing shade and cooling temperatures, enhancing aesthetics, improving air quality & absorbing greenhouse gases, producing habitat for wildlife and so much more. Learn more about the benefits of trees by visiting the “Arbor Day Foundation” website. Link to include for the words in quotes: The Power of Trees at arborday.org
The Village of Bellevue Forestry Department utilizes multiple planting programs to add trees along streets within the community. There are two planting programs offered to residents of the community. The programs allow residents to plant street trees adjacent to their property to add the benefits provided by trees to streets within their neighborhood. The two planting programs offered are described below.
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
The Village offers the neighborhood tree planting program to those who wish to plant a street tree adjacent to their property. The trees are purchased through the Village and the cost is billed to the homeowner, often at a discounted price compared to them purchasing a tree at a nursery. Residents may choose the tree species and provide input on location. Village staff will plant, stake, mulch and water the tree at the time of planting. The Village of Bellevue will maintain ownership of all trees planted within the public right-of-way and all future maintenance will be conducted by the Village or through the Village.
PUBLIC TREE PLANTING
Residents that wish to plant a street tree adjacent to their property, on their own or by hire through a contractor, may simply fill out a tree planting permit. Pending approval from the Forestry Department, residents may plant a tree within the right-of-way adjacent to their property. No discount is offered through this method of planting as the tree will be purchased by the homeowner. The Village only approves the species and location of the tree through the permit process; tree purchase, planting and materials are handled by the property owner. The Village of Bellevue will maintain ownership of all trees planted within the public right-of-way and all future maintenance will be conducted by the Village or through the Village.
Residents may choose from a variety of trees. The following is a list of trees commonly planted along streets within Bellevue:
- Hybrid Elm
- Honeylocust
- Oak
- Common Hackberry
- Kentucky Coffeetree
- Northern Catalpa
- London Planetree
Residents with questions about tree planting or the planting programs offered by the Village of Bellevue can contact the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department at (920) 468-5225.
MEMORIAL TREE & BENCH SPONSOR PROGRAM
Residents can purchase/donate a memorial tree or bench to be placed in any park. Trees and benches both come with a plaque or landscape paver that remembers the individual for whom the tree or bench was donated. Planting and future maintenance is conducted by the Village.
The Village of Bellevue offers homeowners the option of purchasing trees through the Village for planting in the right-of-way adjacent to their property, often at a significantly lower cost than purchasing and having a tree planted on your own. Trees purchased may only be planted in the Village right-of-way and are guaranteed for two years when cared for properly as outlined prior to purchase.
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