CityTreesWorkForWilm.. - City of Wilmington, Delaware

Trees Need Our Help!
Get involved with restoring the “Urban Forest”
in Wilmington by planting trees, learning how
to care for them, and by spreading the word
about how great trees are for our city!
Become a Tree Steward
and Volunteer
Tree stewards learn tree identification, care, and
how to find help for trees in their neighborhood.
Volunteers dig in to plant trees throughout
Wilmington. Call the Delaware Center for
Horticulture at 302-658-6262, ext. 106 or visit
www.theDCH.org to learn more about training
workshops and volunteer opportunities.
Grow a Tree at Home
A list of recommended street trees and planting and
care instructions is available at www.wilmingtonde.gov/
residents/recommendedtrees. Selecting the right
tree for an urban location is very important! You
can contact the City Urban Forest Administrator at
302-576-2582 for more street tree guidance. Also,
check with the Delaware Center for Horticulture
Community Tree Program for the availability of a
free or reduced-cost tree for your yard or street!
TREE
TRENCH
Sidewalk
Wilmington Tree Regulations
and Street Tree Permits
The City tree ordinance protects the trees of our
urban forest that provide valuable benefits to the
entire community. You can review Wilmington City
Code Chapter 46, or visit www.wilmingtonde.gov/
residents/treequestions to find the “dos and
don’ts” regarding City trees. A permit is required
for street tree planting, removal, pruning, and
disturbance of street tree roots, but is not required
for trees on private property. Permits are free and
take about two weeks to process. Street tree work
without a permit is subject to fines and replanting
requirements. Visit www.wilmingtonde.gov/
residents/treepermit or call 302-576-2582 for
more information.
Special Thanks to:
City Trees Work
for Wilmington
Roots
Soak Up
Water
Pavement Cut
Out for Tree
Soil
This brochure was sponsored by:
Cleaning Air
Cleaning Water
Stone Layer
Street
Inlet
Reducing Energy Costs

Trees Work Hard
Every Day to
Improve Our
Quality of Life:
Trees pull carbon dioxide
and other pollutants out
of the air as they grow, and
then release oxygen to help us all
breath a little easier.
Mature trees soak up 50–100 gallons of water
during wet weather and tree roots help to direct
more water into the ground. This reduces the
amount of stormwater that floods our streets
and pollutes our creeks and rivers.
Large trees provide cool shade for buildings
and reduce air conditioning energy costs. In
winter months, trees can block wind to reduce
heating costs.
A large covering of trees can absorb humidity and
reduce the air temperature by 5–10 degrees F —
making it much more comfortable outside on a
hot day.
Shaded roads and sidewalks require less pavement
maintenance, saving up to 60% in repair costs
over non-shaded streets.
Trees increase property values and business
revenues. Studies have shown that people are
willing to pay more money to live, work,
and shop in communities with trees.
Green areas beautify our neighborhoods
and provide a place for relaxation and
recreation, while reducing stress and
promoting better moods and physical health.
Trees provide shelter for birds and other small
animals while reconnecting people to the
natural environment.
Benefits of Trees
Bigger trees naturally provide bigger benefits,
but some locations may require a smaller tree.
At any size, street trees in Wilmington are
worth planting and protecting.
Here are examples of both
large and small tree benefits
(from the National Tree
Benefit Calculator on
www.arborday.org):
SHINGLE OAK
(40-65’ tall)
In one year, a mature
Shingle Oak tree will:
Reduce carbon
dioxide and other
air pollutants by
954 pounds.
Soak up 16,401 gallons
of stormwater runoff.
Save 386 Kilowatt/hours
of electricity for cooling
and reduce use of oil or
natural gas by 900 cubic feet.
AMERICAN HORNBEAM
(25-35’ tall)
In one year, a mature American
Hornbeam will:
Reduce carbon dioxide and
other air pollutants by 801
pounds.
Soak up 2,878 gallons of
stormwater runoff.
Save 114 Kilowatt/hours of
electricity for cooling and
reduce use of oil or natural
gas by 400 cubic feet.
What Exactly is a Street Tree?
A street tree is a tree located within the public
right-of-way. Right-of-way widths vary by street,
so it is not always clear which trees are street trees.
Listed below are three general location categories
defining a street tree that requires a permit for
planting, removal and pruning:
1.
2.
3.
A tree pit – a square or rectangle cut out of
the pavement between the curb and
sidewalk.
A tree lawn – the area between the curb
and sidewalk usually planted with trees,
grass and other landscaping.
Trees in the area behind a sidewalk, closer
to private property, MAY be considered
street trees.
Every dollar
invested in tree planting
and care is naturally returned
to us in life-improving benefits.
Over 40 years, 100 large
public trees total:
Benefits.....................$587,360
Costs.........................$134,280
40-year net benefit...$453,080
Source: U.S. Forest Service