City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
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Boulevard Tree Information
Trees are as much a part of our street environments as fire hydrants, light poles, and sidewalks. They help to define right-of-ways, as well as the age and spirit of a community. Trees are the first thing we see as we enter a neighborhood; they form our first and last impression of a place. They also provide significant ecological and economic benefits that far outweigh the cost of planting and caring for them.
The City of Eau Claire is responsible for maintaining boulevard trees:
- Disease and insect control
- Pruning
- Removals & stump grinding
- Hazard assessment
- Storm-related problems
- Inventory
This small crew tends to over 30,000 trees in the City of Eau Claire.
Address: | Central Maintenance Facility, 910 Forest Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703 |
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Hours: | Monday - Friday | 7:30am-4:00pm |
Email: | CommunityServices@EauClaireWI.Gov |
Phone: | (715) 839-5039 |
What is a boulevard?
The boulevard is the City's term for describing the narrow strip between the sidewalk and the curb, but can also include the area beyond the sidewalk to the edge of the right-of-way. Other popular terms to describe this area include median, tree lawn, planting strip, devil's strip, and more.
Who maintains boulevard trees?
The City's Forestry Division maintains all public trees, including those on boulevards.
Can I plant my own tree on the boulevard?
Yes, property owners can plant their own trees in the boulevard with pre-approval from the City Forester. More information can be found below in the Boulevard Tree Planting Program section.
Will the City replace my boulevard tree?
Yes, if it is an appropriate planting space, as determined by the City Forester, the City will replant boulevard trees. Due to the volume of requests and the small size of the crew, replanting can take multiple seasons.
When will my stump be removed?
Due to the volume of requests and the small size of the crew, stump removal can take multiple seasons. While we understand that a stump can be an eyesore to a property, they are ranked lower in priority than the maintenance of living trees.
The sidewalk is heaving due to a boulevard tree - what can be done?
The City is responsible for the tree and its roots. The property owner is responsible for the sidewalk. The City's Engineering Department can be contacted for questions about sidewalk repair or replacement.
Will the City pick up yard waste from the boulevard?
No, the Forestry Division only maintains trees in the boulevard. Yard waste will not be picked up from curbsides. Exceptions may be made in cases of storm damage. City residents are always encouraged to utilize the Green Waste Facility.
What if I have questions about a privately-owned tree?
Check out these resources for tree maintenance:
- USDA Tree Owners Manual
- TreesAreGood.org
- International Society of Arboriculture
- Tree Equity Score
- Oak Wilt Risk Management Tool - UW Extension
- WI DNR Invasive Species List
- List of Licensed Tree Care Providers in the City of Eau Claire
Rebate Program
A resident who wants to plant trees on their boulevard may apply to participate in our rebate program. The city offers a $60.00 rebate for each tree planted. Certain restrictions apply:- Two trees can be rebated per parcel, per year
- Curbs must be in place
- Trees planted must meet city specifications and there must be adequate space.
- 300 rebates issued each calendar year.
- Boulevard Shade Tree Rebate Application
Public Improvement Projects
Boulevard shade trees are planted as part of all major public improvement projects where sidewalk and curb are in place. Each residence within a project area is eligible for up to two boulevard trees (number of trees placed will be determined by a site evaluation). City crews plant the trees and no assessment is made for the new plantings.
- Interested individuals that are eligible for boulevard tree planting, please email your request to our Forestry Division.
The Forestry Division will help you in both diagnosing and managing tree problems caused by disease or insects. They also have expertise in hazard assessment. If you have a tree that is causing concern, please email the Forestry Division with a detailed description and the location of the tree or call 715-839-5039 for assistance. Property owners are asked not to report dead or dying public Ash trees at this time.
Ash Trees and the Emerald Ash Borer
In an effort to remove the remaining infested Ash trees on City-owned boulevards, beginning in June 2024, Forestry staff will mark boulevard trees that are slated for removal with a painted orange dot at the base of the tree, facing the street. Marking and removal crews will work by neighborhood. In an effort to expedite this process, property owners will not be contacted individually about ash tree removals on boulevards.
As of June 2024, over 1,000 public Ash trees remain in Eau Claire’s urban canopy and nearly all have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a small invasive beetle. These damaged trees can become a hazard if not removed. Since the discovery of EAB in Wisconsin in 2008, the Forestry Division has removed over 8,000 public Ash trees and has made significant progress in diversifying the urban canopy, which will help offer protection against species-specific pests and diseases in the future.
Photo of a boulevard tree infested by EAB
Recommended Trees
The following trees are those varieties we feel are best suited to boulevard conditions in Eau Claire. (However, a list of recommended trees is no more than a list of trees with the fewest faults.)
- American Elm (disease resistant variety)
- Accolade
- Homestead
- Liberty
- New Horizon
- Princeton
- Prospector
- Bur Oak
- Ginkgo
- Hackberry
- Horse Chestnut (Baumannii)
- Honey Locust
- Imperial
- Shademaster
- Sunburst
- Skyline
- Katsura
- Kentucky Coffee Tree
- Northern Pin Oak
- Northern Red Oak
- Norway Maple
- Red Maple
- Greenspire Linden
- Redmond Linden
- Sterling Linden
- Swamp White Oak
- Turkish Filbert
Recommended Trees for a Small Area | Overhead Lines
If you are planting in a small area or have overhead power lines, you MUST select from the following list:
- Amur Maple (Tree Form)
- Ivory Silk Lilac (Tree Form)
- Japanese Tree Lilac (Tree Form)
- Serviceberry
- Tartarian Maple
- Thornless Hawthorne
- Upright Flowering Crabapple
(disease resistant varieties)
Prohibited Boulevard Trees
Because they have various characteristics that are objectionable, the following trees are NOT permitted to be planted on any boulevard within the city limits of Eau Claire. (Ord. 8.20.100)
- Arborvitae
- Aspen
- Apple
- Black Locust
- Black Walnut
- Butternut
- Cherry
- Cottonwood
- Fir
- Juniper
- Mulberry
- Native Honey Locust
- Pine
- Plum
- Poplar
- Russian Olive
- Silver Maple
- Spruce
- Willow
- Yew
Prohibited Trees in the City of Eau Claire
Because of severe problems with disease or other detrimental problems, the following kinds of trees are NOT permitted to be planted either on the boulevard or ANYWHERE on private or public lands in the City of Eau Claire: (Ord. 8.20.100)
- Boxelder
- Chinese Elm
- Cottonwood
- Siberian Elm
Size
- Small trees - maximum height 25 feet and minimum planting caliper 1.5 inches
- Medium trees - maximum height 40 feet and minimum planting caliper 1.5 inches
- Large trees - maximum height is 70 feet and minimum planting caliper 1.5 inches
Boulevard (planting strip) Width Standard
- Less than 5' width - no planting area
- 5' to 8' width - small or medium trees
- 8' and over width - small, medium, or large trees
Spacing
- Tree Spacing Requirements Diagram
- Small trees - minimum 20' spacing
- Medium trees - minimum 30' spacing
- Large trees - minimum 35' spacing
Overhead power lines
- Only small trees may be planted
- Amur Maple (Tree Form)
- Ivory Silk Lilac (Tree Form)
- Japanese Tree Lilac (Tree Form)
- Serviceberry
- Tartarian Maple
- Thornless Hawthorne
- Upright Flowering Crabapple
(disease resistant varieties)
Watering
- Young trees need watering for the first 2-3 years, especially during dry spells and droughts
- Deep watering is best. Try to soak the soil to a depth of 6 inches or more
- Using mulch can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool
- Be sure to follow all local watering restrictions
- Read more about tree watering in a drought from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Monitor drought conditions at drought.gov
Mulch
- If properly applied, mulch can be very beneficial for your trees.
- Mulch can retain soil moisture, keep the root system cool, and control weed growth
- Mulch should be applied in a layer 3-4 inches deep around the tree trunk, but not touching the tree itself, in as broad an area as feasible.
- The mulch should lay evenly, not mounded around the tree.
- Free mulch is available from the City of Eau Claire's Green Waste Facility