Re-Tree Mitchell

Mitchell has been honored annually, since 1980, as a "Tree City, USA." The Forestry Division works hand in hand with the City Beautification Committee, planting hundreds of new trees and shrubs. Arbor Day is promoted each April with a week-long schedule of events, including educational programs and poster contests in the school systems, the planting of special trees, and giving away hundreds of seedlings to grade school youngsters. Replacement of dead or diseased trees on the boulevards and in the parks is an on-going process.

How Do I Get My Tree Checked?

You may have concerns about a dead or diseased tree, or a tree that may be posing a safety hazard that you need to have addressed.

Trees Planted in a Park
Trees in Hitchcock Park

The Division typically does "tree checks" each Friday - any citizen who has a concern about a tree on a boulevard should call 995-8450 and ask for Angel DeWaard, or stop in the office to fill out a Tree-Check Request Form.

Re-Tree Mitchell
The Parks & Recreation Dept. offers a 100%  reimbursement (up to $100/tree) toward the purchase of trees that are planted in “approved” locations in or near the boulevard. You can review the details in the link on the right hand column listed under tree information.
 
To receive your reimbursement:
1)   Mark your tree location and call the Park & Recreation office for location approval.
2)    Select the tree species you want from the City’s “Street Tree” list. (Tree lists are available at local vendors or online at cityofmitchell.org).
3)    Purchase your tree from a local tree nursery.
4)    Plant your tree.
5)    Bring your receipt to the Park & Recreation office for reimbursement. *(Reimbursement may take up to 4 weeks after submittal – Checks will be issued through the City Finance Office)     
                 Limit of (2) trees per property/year



Boulevard Tree Ordinances


Tree Trimming
City Code Section 37.2 - The occupant or owner of any premises abutting upon any street shall keep all trees so trimmed that they comply with the specifications of the Parks and Recreation Board.

City Code Section 37.3 - All large established trees shall be trimmed to a sufficient height to allow free passage of pedestrians and vehicular traffic and in such manner so as to allow:

A.        eight feet (8') clearance over all sidewalks;

B.        twelve feet (12’) clearance over all local streets and alleys; and

C.        fifteen feet (15') clearance over all arterial and collector streets.
Arterial & Collector Street Map [LINK]

Removal of Dangerous Trees 
City Code Section 37.13 -
A. The owner of any property upon which there is any tree constituting a hazard to persons or property shall remove the same at his own expense. In case such owner shall neglect or refuse to remove such a tree upon notice by the park and recreation board, the same may be removed by the board, and the cost thereof shall be collected from such owner.

B. In the case of a tree constituting a hazard to persons or property which is located between a property owner’s property and the centerline of the adjoining street, the City shall notify the property owner that the hazardous tree requires removal. Upon receiving notice, a property owner may choose to have the tree removed at the property owner’s sole expense. In the event such hazardous tree is not removed within the time designated in the notice, the park and recreation department may proceed with the removal of said hazardous tree. The property owner shall be responsible for the costs of such removal according to rates established by the park and recreation board.

C. For the purposes of this section, a tree constituting a hazard is one that is dead, dying, infected, damaged, or is otherwise in a condition which poses an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of persons or property.


Permitted Trees
City Code Section 37.5 - The park and recreation board shall determine which species of tree are permitted to be planted as a street tree and may also designate certain species as not permitted.  The park and recreation board may also determine the variety of such trees to be so planted and the spacing thereof.  No person or entity shall plant a street tree until the proposed street tree’s location and species has been approved by the Park and Recreation Director in writing.

Street Tree List  [Link]
City Code Section 37.6 - No street trees planted shall measure less than one inch in diameter of trunk at one foot above the ground.

Trees and Shrubs at Intersections
City Code Section 37.11 - No person, firm, or corporation shall plant, maintain, or permit to grow any tree, hedge, bush, or shrubbery of any kind which has a mature growing height of greater than 24 inches within the triangle formed by the adjacent side lines of two intersecting streets and the line joining points distant 35 feet on each side line from their point of intersection. Any tree, hedge, bush, or shrubbery planted or growing within the above defined triangle exceeding 24 inches in height is declared a public nuisance and hazard to public safety and shall be subject to summary abatement by the City by removal.