Since its creation in 1985, the Forestry Division has planted more than 8,000 shade, evergreen, and ornamental trees on city road right-of-way, in parks, and at various city facilities. Most of these trees have been planted along streets in new subdivisions as part of the “Subdivision Tree Planting Program.” Under this program, developers of single-family subdivisions platted after 1979 are required to provide funds for street trees based on the number of lots. The Forestry Division oversees the planting operation as the new homes are completed and occupied.

A second program initiated in 1995, the “Citizen Tree Planting Program,” offered street trees to residents or businesses at the city’s cost of installation. The Citizen Program became the Cooperative Tree Planting Program in November of 1999, when policy was established enabling citizens and businesses to have a tree planted on the public right-of-way adjacent to their property, or other city-owned property, for 50% of the estimated cost to the city.