What you should know before you plant a street tree!
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU PLANT A STREET TREE
The City of Beatrice regulates the planting, trimming and removal of all trees located on city right-of-ways.
BEFORE YOU PLANT YOU MUST:
- Obtain a permit (free of charge from the Inspection Dept.)
- Check for overhead wires and underground utilities. If present, special restrictions apply.
- Check distance from intersection---must be 30 feet or more.
- Check for street lights, fire hydrants, pedestrian zones, etc. If any are present, special restrictions may apply.
APPROVED STREET TREES FOR THE CITY OF BEATRICE
MAPLES: Norway Maple, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Amur Maple, Autumn Blaze Maple
OAKS: Red, White, Bur, Swamp White, English, Sawtooth, Pin, Chestnut
LINDEN: Littleleaf, Redmond, American
CALLERY PEAR: Redspire, Aristocrat (will draw birds)
FLOWERING CRAB: Snowdrift, Spring Snow, Royalty, Red Splendor, Kelsey
LARGE DECIDUOUS TREES: Ginkgo, Kentucky Coffee, River Birch, Honey Locust, Cypress, Hickory
SMALL DECIDUOUS TREES: Redbud, Hawthorn, Ironwood, Serviceberry
TREES NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PLANTING ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY
- All Poplars & Cottonwoods
- All Elms
- All Evergreens
- Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus)
- Walnut
- Catalpa
- Silver Maple
- All Willows
- Horsechestnut
- Mulberry
- Fruit Trees
- Shrubs or Hedge
TREES ARE GOOD FOR YOU AND OUR COMMUNITY!
Trees are extremely beneficial to our environment!
Here's just a few of the reasons why:
- Trees improve air quality. According to the US Department of Agriculture, one acre of forest absorbs 6 tons of carbon dioxide and produces 4 tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people. An average tree will sequester and store one ton of Carbon Dioxide in its lifetime!
- Trees can help save energy and costs associated with air conditioning. If placed to shade buildings and air conditioners, trees can cut costs by up to 20-50%.
- Trees can increase property values. Studies have shown that houses landscaped with trees can sell for 7-10% more than those without trees.
- Trees reduce stormwater runoff. They absorb water and filter it before it goes into our rivers and underground water sources. This reduces the amount of chemicals going into our water supply. Their roots also stabilize soil and prevent soil erosion from entering into our waterways.
- Trees beautify our communities and provide a relaxing effect on our emotions.
SO YOU WANT TO PLANT A TREE…HERE'S HOW!
Planting the right tree in the right place is crucial. Make sure to follow these guidelines when planting:
- Obtain a permit (free of charge from the City Inspection Department, 205 N 4th Street , Beatrice, NE
- Check with Diggers Hot Line
- Look UP! Always check for overhead power lines and underground utilities. This applies not only to the area directly under power lines, but also up to 30 feet away from them as well since canopies grow wide AND tall.
- Check distance from intersection---must be 30 feet or more. Check for street lights, fire hydrants, pedestrian zones, etc. If any are present, special restrictions may apply.
- Make sure you choose an appropriate tree for space constraints. Columnar or V-shaped trees should be planted along streets or next to buildings. The lowest branches on your tree should not be low enough to block sight lines of cars or pedestrians.
- Plant trees that are appropriate for our hardiness zone. Beatrice and Gage County is USDA Hardiness Zone 5.
- Choose a species that is appropriate for the amount of sunlight in an area. Most trees need partial to full sunlight; however, some are “shade tolerant” and can grow in the shade of larger trees. This information can be obtained from nursery catalogs.
- Decide what purpose you want your tree to serve. If you want to provide a windbreak or barrier, evergreen trees are appropriate. If you want to plant trees to cool your house, plant trees that will grow into large shade trees. If you want trees for spring flowers, ornamentals are the best choice. Your local nursery can help you with appropriate species.
