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WELCOME TO JOHNSON CITY'S URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM!
Urban forestry is the management of trees and green spaces in urban areas for the health and well being of communities. Trees in the urban setting are an integral part of a city's infrastructure. Trees, like roads, sidewalks, water, sewer, public buildings, and recreational facilities, are capital assets that provide valuable benefits to the citizens, businesses, and visitors of a community. As with all assets there are costs associated with maintenance. However, the benefits of a healthy urban forest easily outweigh the costs. Trees also have the distinction of having their value appreciate over time. The same cannot be said for roads or sewer lines.
The Urban Forestry Section of the Street Division is responsible for the planting, care and removal of trees growing on public property within the city limits of Johnson City.
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OUR MISSION
The mission of the Urban Forestry Division is to maximize the aesthetic, environmental, and economic benefits that public trees and green spaces provide to Johnson City's citizens and its visitors through an integrated and cost-effective management program.
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PROGRAM HISTORY
1997 The Tree and Appearance Board was created.
1998 The City's first City Forester was hired.
2000 The Tree Ordinance was passed by the City Commission.
Johnson City became a Tree City USA.
2001 The City received a grant to purchase a computer and software to begin a street tree inventory.
A tree inventory report was completed.
The City Forester was transferred to the Street Division of Public Works.
Two full-time tree trimmers and three landscaping employees were placed under the City Forester's supervision.
2003 The City received a grant to hire an Urban Forestry Crew Supervisor.
2004 The Landscape Ordinance was revised and the City Forester began inspections of new commercial developments.
The Johnson City Power Board became a Tree Line USA.
2005 The right-of-way duties of spraying and boom-mowing were added to the Urban Forestry Section.
Two new employees were added to the work group.
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TREE CITY USA
Johnson City has been a Tree City USA since 2000 and is proud to join the other 35 cities in Tennessee that share this designation. The Tree City USA program, sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation, is a foundation for effective, well-organized urban forestry programs. Cities are required to meet the following standards in order to maintain Tree City USA status:
TREE LINE USA
Since 2004, the Johnson City Power Board has recieved the Tree Line USA award. The Tree Line program, also sponsered by the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizes utilities across the nation that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance trees in our communities while ensuring dependable service.
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Patrick Walding
City Forester
209 Water Street
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 975-2700
M-F 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
walding@johnsoncitytn.org
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