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.
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.
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.
HELP JOHNSON CITY PLANT 10,000 TREES!
A campaign was started in 2009 to plant 10,000 trees throughout the city. There are several different ways that citizens can help us reach this goal. Click the tree to find out more!
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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:
A Tree Board or Department
A Tree Care Ordinance
A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita
An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
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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DON'T TOP YOUR TREES!
Tree topping is the practice of indiscriminately removing tree branches and creating large wounds that subject a tree to disease and decay. Topping destroys a tree's natural form. It is one of the worst things to do for the health of a tree.
Tree topping is a misguided practice that should not be confused with proper pruning. A topped tree is easy to spot, especially in winter. While a properly pruned tree looks as though no work has been done to it at all. Pruning involves carefully and selectively removing branches while leaving a tree's natural shape intact.
Many instances of tree topping can be avoided by planting the right tree in the right space. Every tree has different height and spacing requirments in order for it to become a healthy mature tree. Wisely choosing a tree that matches the site conditions can often prevent future problems and the need for drastic measures. Large shade trees should be planted no closer than 25 feet from overhead electric lines. The Johnson City Power Board maintains a list of trees that are suitable for planting near power lines.
Topping is prohibited on publc property in Johnson City. Tree topping is also prohibited on trees that were planted to satisfy the requirements of Johnson City's Landscape Ordinance. The Johnson City Power Board employs the lateral pruning method when pruning trees that are in conflict with overhead power lines.
Homeowners searching for a tree service should consider hiring a Certified Arborist.
