Forestry Program Home Page
Our Mission
To provide a program of community forestry that enhances the quality of life for all citizens by promoting proper tree care on both public and private property resulting in a safe, healthy, urban forest. To enhance green spaces with floral displays.
What We Do
Tree Care - We maintain all trees and shrubs in all of Greeley's parks and public grounds.
We monitor Greeley's urban forest for damaging insect and disease issues. Current insect issues include: Ips Engraver Beetles, Lilac/Ash Borer (also known as a clearwing borer), and Mountain Pine Beetles. These links will lead you to Colorado State University Cooperative Extension fact sheets. The articles below in our "Current Events" section detail what we are seeing in Greeley.
Monitor Tree Trimming and Pesticide Application Services - We test, license and monitor shade and ornamental tree contractors and pesticide applicators. Companies or individuals offering tree or shrub trimming, removals or pesticide applications in Greeley MUST be licensed by the City of Greeley.
A licensed tree trimming company must pass written and field examinations to show basic knowledge and competence in industry skills. They must also provide proof of insurance and bond to protect the customer and themselves. City of Greeley licensed pesticide applicators are required to maintain a current State of Colorado Applicator's License.
Manage the Urban Forest through Code Enforcement - The Forestry Program provides enforcement of City codes relating to tree maintenance and planting.
Manage the Memorial Tree and Tree Donation Program - The Forestry Program offers a program in which select unwanted trees can be donated to the Parks system. This is done at no cost to the donor. Additionally, we can help you commemorate a loved one by planting a tree in a park of your choice.
When a tree on your property is no longer growing in a desirable location, or if that tree is beginning to crowd out more important plants, you may want to consider donating that tree to a park. We inspect each plant to determine quality and chances for successful survival. Once the plant is deemed a suitable candidate, you may choose the park into which it is placed. This is done at no cost to you. You may even wish to use this as a commemorative tree planting!
Plan, Implement, and Maintain the Public Floral Displays - We design, implement, install and maintain all floral displays in parks and public grounds. The annual floral program is a year round task.
Provide Consultations - The Forestry Program also provides horticultural consultations for citizens as time allows and has access to large quantities of information on local tree and shrub diseases, insects and environmental conditions. Please feel free to email us if we can help you obtain the answers you are looking for. Our eConsult page will give you valuable information on common tree insect and disease issues. Complete help for all your landscape questions is readily available to you!
Our Favorite Links
Did you Know?
Trees are amazing creations that do much to enhance and benefit our daily lives. They provide the aesthetic qualities of beauty, color and form, especially in our urbanized landscapes. They provide resources for food and shelter for people and animals. More importantly, they function to improve our environment. Trees shade us from direct sunlight and protect us from strong winds. They absorb carbon dioxide and provide us with oxygen we need to breathe. Trees are one of the most important things we can provide in our efforts to reduce air pollution.
- Each year the Forestry Program plants over 300 new trees.
- We visit over 1,000 properties each year assisting with landscapes or enforcing codes relating to proper tree care.
- Hospital patients have been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a view of trees.
- Trees return oxygen to the air and consume carbon dioxide while reducing noise pollution.
- In one year, an average tree exhales enough oxygen to keep a family of four breathing for that year.
- In one year, an average tree inhales 26 pounds of carbon dioxide - the same amount emitted by an automobile during an 11,300 mile trip.
- Tree contractors in Greeley are not allowed to "top" trees.
- Proper landscaping around buildings can reduce heating and cooling costs up to 25%. This also reduces carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels used to produce energy. Trees help reduce cooling costs by providing shade in the summer and reduce heating costs by providing a windbreak in the winter. The heat island effect around parking lots and buildings is reduced by the careful placement and selection of trees.
- Trees bring natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban surroundings, all of which increase the quality of life for residents of the community.
- Property values of landscaped homes are 5-20% higher than those of non-landscaped homes.
- Because of their size, trees belong to a community, not just an individual property.
- For every four trees that die in America, only one is planted.
- Trees require an investment! This investment requires initial care, watering, proper nutrition, pruning and insect/disease control. Protect your investment; care for trees!
Current Events