City of Sterling Street Tree Planting Program

***Press Release***


The City of Sterling is offering a Street Tree Planting Program. The program is designed to help individual home owners plant trees along the streets of Sterling.

In the past, to be eligible for the Street Tree Planting Program, trees had to be planted on the City right-of-way. However, with input from the Parks, Library and Recreation Board, this has been revised to allow for the following exceptions:

Where the sidewalk and curb are joined, trees shall be planted at least five feet behind sidewalk and no more than ten feet from the sidewalk. NOTE: If this spacing results in the tree being planted on private property rather than on the City right-of-way, any future care and maintenance of the tree(s) will be the private property owner’s responsibility, not the City Forestry Division’s.

Property owners will be reimbursed for ½ the retail price for all trees planted (but no more than $100 per tree). Taxes, delivery charges, or planting fees are not reimbursable costs. If you would like to receive an application for the Street Tree Planting Program, please call the Parks, Library and Recreation Dept. at 522-9700.

Sterling to Receive Tree City USA Award for the 25th Consecutive Year

***Press Release***

The City of Sterling, Parks, Library, and Recreation Department - Forestry Division, will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 26 at 1:30pm.  There will be a planting ceremony at Pioneer Park.

In addition, the City of Sterling will celebrate its 25th consecutive year as Tree City USA.  The Tree City USA Award is provided by The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, to recognize higher levels of tree care throughout America.

This is a milestone for the City of Sterling and a representative from the Colorado State Forestry Service will be on hand to present the Tree City USA flag to City representatives prior to the tree planting.

Arbor Day is a great opportunity to diversify the tree population in Sterling, creating a stronger urban forest.  Representatives from Merino School - Amy Gandee's 5th grade class and their kindergarten buddies, Little Legg's Day Care, City Manager, Mayor and PLR Board members will also take part in the award ceremony.  Planting the trees from City of Sterling will be Wade Gandee, Superintendent of Parks, Cemetery, & Forestry, George Ramos and Clay Combs, Forestry employees.

It has been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day.  His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever.  The City of Sterling Forestry Division strives to continue this tradition as it is more important than ever.

City of Sterling Offering Assistance for Dead Tree Removal on Residential Property

The City of Sterling is once again offering a Dead Tree Removal program.  The program provides financial assistance to residential property owners for the removal of dead/dying Elm trees from private property.  Qualifying applicants will be reimbursed by the City of Sterling for one-half the cost of each tree removed (up to a maximum of $250 per tree).  Property owners will not be reimbursed for sales tax or for any "secondary" work, such as removal and replacement of fences, repair of lawns, or other incidental expenses.

Property owners must qualify on income level and they must reside at the address for which assistance is being requested.  Commercial properties or rental units are not eligible.

To qualify for the program, homeowners must make a written application to the City of Sterling Department of Parks, Library, and Recreation before the tree is removed.  All trees will be inspected by the City and approval will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Financial assistance is not available for tree trimming or for the removal of healthy trees or stump removal.  The program is designed to assist homeowners with the removal of trees which pose a threat of Dutch Elm Disease to the urban forest or a hazard to the public.  To receive an application and full details about the program, please contact the City of Sterling Department of Parks, Library, and Recreation at 421 North 4th Street in Sterling, or call 522-9700.

City of Sterling to offer Street Tree Planting Program

The City of Sterling is offering a Street Tree Planting Program.  The program is designed to help individual home owners plant trees along the streets of Sterling.  Property owners will be reimbursed for 1/2 the retail price for all trees planted (but no more than $100 per tree).  Taxes, delivery charges, or planting fees are not reimbursable costs.  If you would like to receive an application, or for more information, call the Sterling Parks, Library, and Recreation Department at 522-9700.