Forestry

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
Chinese proverb

Trees are intrinsically connected to our lives. They bring us shade in the summer months, protect us from the cold winds in the winter, and provide fresh air for us to breathe all year long. The City of Baraboo Forestry Department manages approximately 7,000 public trees. We strive to promote a healthier and more sustainable urban forest and foster community tree awareness. As Baraboo continues to grow, the urban forest remains an integral part of the city’s landscape, quietly performing as one of our most invaluable community members and infrastructure components. We are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe urban forest, expanding our already extensive and diverse tree canopy cover for future generations. An added benefit of this is maximization of the visual, social, economic, and environmental services that this natural resource has to offer our residents and visitors. These efforts have earned the City of Baraboo the Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation since 1992, as well as "Tree Growth Awards" in 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017.

PLANTING PROGRAM

Residents who would like a treebank tree can contact the Forestry Dept. at 608-355-2760, to be put on the planting list. The city Forestry staff will determine if the site meets all the criteria for a tree. Residents who would like to plant their own tree must obtain a Tree Maintenance Permit. All trees must be chosen from the Approved Tree Planting List.

Residents are reminded that the City right of way is the area from the curb extending approximately 15 feet toward their residence. Trees planted in this area must be planted by the City or with the approval of the City Forester. Trees must be from the approved species list.

If you are interested in a tree on your Treebank, please see a list of approved trees, that we will plant. Contact the City Forester for more information. Email forestry@cityofbaraboo.com

MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Forestry crews perform most pruning and removals in the winter months. Mature street trees are pruned cyclically once every 5-8 years. Smaller trees are pruned more frequently. Trees are pruned to improve structure, remove dead wood, clear buildings and meet sidewalk and street clearance per city ordinances. If there is a concern with the tree on the tree bank please contact the Forestry Dept.

Dutch Elm Disease Information

Emerald Ash Borer Information

Find a Certified Arborist Near You

Oak Wilt Information

Tips to Proper Tree Pruning

Tree Planting Tips

Baraboo Arboretum Map

Tree Maintenance Permit

Approved Tree Planting List

Spongy Moth Factsheet

Spongy Moth News
Spongy Moth has made a huge presence in the area, and the Baraboo Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is hard at work finding sustainable solutions to control continued spread in the City. The hot and dry spring over the past 2 years has helped the pest thrive, and many have noticed the devastation caused especially at Ochsner Park. We have been consulting with other arborists as well as the DNR to formulate a management plan. We anticipate treatment of trees in Ochsner Park later this year to reduce the amount of egg masses and caterpillars, and hope that our cooler, wetter spring will return next year to help combat the population explosion.

In the meantime, we are working closely with the Baraboo Fire District who is saturating the ground around the trees in Ochsner Park in an attempt to save the trees and get through the current drought we are experiencing. The combined defoliation caused by the moth, along with prolonger drought conditions, have significantly stressed our impressive oak grove located in Ochsner Park as well as adjacent trees and several other trees throughout the City.

Many homeowners have called us as well, seeking advice on their private trees. Our best advice is to research options, including information available by clicking here. More information on Spongy Moth is available by clicking on the Spongy Moth Factsheet on the left.