City of Eau Claire’s Shade Tree Program Offers Rebates for Boulevard Tree Planting
Matthew Staudenmaier of the Forestry Department explains the importance of boulevard trees to the community
Sawyer Hoff, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Trees rooted along our city’s streets are not just there to look pretty (though they are lovely). They’re also planted to provide economic and ecological benefits to the whole community. In that spirit, the Forestry Department of the City of Eau Claire offers a rebate program for anyone who plants and cares for trees in front of their house, along the boulevard.
The city offers $60 for each tree planted (with a two-tree maximum per year) along a boulevard with a curb in place. Matthew Staudenmaier, the city’s forestry supervisor, says the rebate program is a nice incentive, though the better reason to plant trees in neighborhoods is to aid in maintaining canopy coverage, which can benefit things like air quality, flooding mitigation, and reducing energy costs thanks to the additional shade.
“By planting trees, you’re actually growing the assets of the community,” Staudenmaier said. “A lot of the other infrastructures that the city has kind of depreciates as it gets older and needs to be replaced, but trees, on the other hand, appreciate as they get older and they’re actually doing more as they get older.”
Anyone interested in planting a tree outside of their home can reach out to the Forestry Department to make sure they are choosing the right spot. According to Staudenmaier, conflicts may occur in the future if the tree is too close to sewer or water lines as roots expand over the years.
While most types of trees are allowed on the boulevards – diversification is excellent, Staudenmaier says – there is a list of prohibited tree species on the city website as well as a list of recommended trees.
Anyone interested in participating in the Boulevard Shade Tree Planting Rebate Program can fill out the application on the Forestry Division’s website or call (715) 839-5039 to receive an application in the mail.
Learn more about the Boulevard Shade Tree Planting Rebate Program by going to eauclairewi.gov.
