The Public Services Department has
been actively involved with the City’s urban forestry
program since its inception in 1991.
Under the direction of the Florence City Council, the
Urban Forest Task Force was formed in the spring of
1991. The Urban Forest Task Force was a large group of
citizens interested in urban forestry from the City of
Florence, Boone County, and other industry
professionals. The purpose of the Task Force was to
gather information and determine the level of interest
in establishing an urban forestry program in the City of
Florence. In October 1991, the Florence City Council
adopted Ordinance 0-37-91 formally establishing and
appointing a five-member Urban Forest Commission. The
original Urban Forest Commission members were appointed
from the Urban Forest Task Force.
Due to the overall success and growth of urban forestry
programs, the Urban Forest Commission identified a need
to expand in size. City Council agreed, and in November
1996, passed an ordinance expanding the size of the
Commission from five to seven members. The expanded size
of the Urban Forest Commission has provided greater
resources to implement programs.
The Public Services Department was
assigned full staff support responsibilities when the
program was initiated in 1991. Some of these
responsibilities include:
1. Meeting agenda development;
2. Maintain journal of meeting minutes;
3. Assist in developing annual budget proposal;
4. Apply for and administer Urban Forestry grants;
5. Complete annual Tree City USA application;
6. Provide tree planting plan design services;
7. Develop tree planting project specifications;
8. Provide oversight for tree planting projects;
9. Develop and implement tree maintenance programs and;
10. Coordinate Arbor Day activities
· Arbor Day/Tree City USA Designation
The City of Florence has attained a Tree City USA status
since 1992. To become and maintain the Tree City USA
designation, a City must:
1. Have a tree board or tree department;
2. Have a community tree ordinance;
3. Spend a minimum of $2.00 per capita on tree related
expenses and;
4. Annually celebrate Arbor Day with a Mayoral
Proclamation indicating Arbor Day is being celebrated.
The Public Services Department coordinates all Arbor Day
activities and assures compliance with all Tree City USA
requirements.
The Urban Forestry Commission
maintains an active tree planting program. Each year the
Commission implements a sizable tree planting project,
several smaller projects and also maintains an active
replacement program. Since the program’s inception in
1991, more than 2100 specimen trees have been planted on
public rights-of-way, City properties, and parks.
The Public Services staff performs many of the major
tree planting program functions. These functions include
tree planting, specification development and planting
program oversight. Public Services staff expertise in
these areas allow the Urban Forestry Commission to
conserve funds and allocate resources to other programs.
Implementing tree planting projects
is the most popular component of any urban forestry
program. However, maintaining the urban forest is
equally important to the success of any program. Several
tree maintenance programs have been established to
ensure proper maintenance of the Florence urban forest.
These maintenance programs are outlined in the
paragraphs below.
A tree watering program has been established primarily
for those trees that have been planted less than three
years. In some situations however, trees are included on
the tree watering program beyond the three year period
depending on individual situations. The tree watering
program generally begins each year at the beginning of
June and runs through mid-October.
The tree fertilization program has been established
primarily for those trees that have been planted less
than five years. In some situations however, trees are
included on the fertilization program beyond the five
year program depending on individual situations. The
tree fertilization program occurs in the fall of each
year.
The tree mulching program has been established primarily
for trees that have been planted less than five years as
well as trees located in high visibility areas.
The tree mulching program occurs during each spring and
summer. Tree mulching services are provided by the
Ground Maintenance Crew and portions are contracted out.
Mature trees are included in the tree removal and
pruning program. This annual program is contracted out
in the spring or fall of each year and includes trees on
public rights-of-way and City properties.
