John Kemppainen
City Forester
608-646-0414
jkemppainen@cityofstoughton.com
The Forestry Division is responsible for maintaining all trees on public property through programs of systematic pruning, removal, planting, tree preservation, disease control and care for sick and damaged trees.
Please do not remove, trim or plant trees in the terrace or on public lands without permission from the City Forester. We have a robust tree maintenance program and encourage you to call if you have any questions concerning trees in your terrace or on any of our public lands. See below for more information on terrace tree planting or inquire about terrace tree maintenance.
The City of Stoughton is fortunate to have a diverse urban forest with over 5,000 terrace trees. In addition to street trees, the Forestry Division also maintains all trees in city parks. In total there are over 100 different species and cultivated varieties of trees on city property!
Stoughton has earned the Tree City USA recognition every year since 1994. Furthermore, Stoughton is the recipient of more than 20 Growth Awards from the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing its commitment to excellence for its tree care and maintenance programs.
Please see below for additional information as well as some helpful links for the care of trees on your own property!
Wondering what trees you have in your neighborhood? Find out here!
The City of Stoughton plants dozens of trees every year. Planting is done in the spring and fall of each year typically. Priority is given to homes where trees have been removed, but requests for new trees are honored as quickly as possible as well. There are several things to consider before planting a new tree in the street terrace:
Utility Conflicts both above ground and below ground (Right Tree Right Place)
Tree Population Diversity (on the block as well as within the city)
Proper Spacing Between Trees
Terrace Depth (distance from curb to sidewalk)
Proximity to Driveways and Intersections (visual obstructions)
Once all of these factors have been considered, the proper tree is usually an easy choice. Some street terraces are not conducive to planting at all, in which case the Forestry Division may consider planting a tree on private property within 10’ of the sidewalk.
If you have questions regarding tree planting or would like to request a tree for your terrace, you can reach the City Forester at 608-646-0414.
The City of Stoughton actively manages over 5,000 trees located on street terraces and in public parks. Regular tree maintenance is an integral part of urban forest management and is an important facet of hazard mitigation. Terrace trees are pruned on a cycle to promote their health and growth, while improving appearance, and providing adequate clearance for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Systematic pruning also helps to correct avoidable growth problems, and reduces the occurrence of storm damage events. Another crucial benefit of scheduled pruning is the removal of dead and hazardous limbs.
Tree pruning operations are typically conducted by city staff and private contractors from late October through the first of April. Residents may submit pruning requests to the Forestry Division. Each request will be evaluated by the City Forester on a case by case basis. All pruning operations follow best management practices established by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and ANSI A300 standards for tree care operations.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in Stoughton in 2016. The city had previously placed a moratorium on the planting of ash trees several years prior to the discovery of EAB locally, in anticipation of the destructive pest showing up. The City of Stoughton has already removed several hundred ash trees from public property. The EAB attacks ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) only.
Prior to the EAB infestation, the city had a known population of 460 ash trees (including street terrace trees and maintained park trees). Now there are fewer than 100 ash trees remaining on city property. The City Forester continues to monitor and maintain all remaining ash trees located along public right-of-way for signs and symptoms of EAB infestation. If you suspect the terrace tree adjacent to your home is infested with EAB, you should contact the Forestry Department to request an inspection.
The first symptom of EAB infestation in ash tree(s) is the thinning of leaves in the canopy. Other visual symptoms include woodpecker damage (missing bark or holes) and formation of new branches (sprouting) along the larger limbs of the tree. If an ash tree has been infested for multiple years, new branches will begin to sprout on the main stem of the tree as far down as the base of the tree to make up for the loss of leaves in the canopy.
Residents are encouraged to work with a Certified Arborist to evaluate and care for ash trees on private property. Chemical treatments are commercially available to assist in controlling EAB.
The Tree Commission is made up of 6 residents, one City Council representative and the City Forester. This group performs several valuable functions for the City of Stoughton including, pursuing grant funding to further the Urban Forestry program, public education, wood utilization and to make recommendations to City Council, the Public Works Commission and the City Forester regarding urban forestry policies and practices
Current Tree Commission Members
1 vacant - click here to apply
Dean Tangeman - Chair
Fred Hundt - Vice-Chair
Mike Point
Kevin Short
Jim Fitzgibbon
Aaron Mazzone
John Kemppainen, City Forester
Jill Weiss, Stoughton Utilities Director
This boardwalk was built using wood from the Urban Wood Utilization Program
Did you know that the City of Stoughton makes lumber from terrace trees that are removed? Every year dozens of mature trees are removed due to health issues or storm damage. Whenever possible, logs are salvaged and milled into usable lumber that is incorporated into projects all over the city. The Public Works Department also owns and operates a solar kiln to dry all of the lumber produced.
Lumber is available for residents to purchase for their own woodworking projects as well. To purchase tree cycled lumber, call the Forestry Division to schedule a time to discuss pricing and availability. The Senior Center wood shop also has wood available for purchase on site.
Stoughton is a proud member of the Urban Wood Network (UWN). This group is dedicated to “the social, economic, and ecological benefits of urban trees.” John Kemppainen, City Forester, has served on the Steering Committee for the Wisconsin Chapter of UWN for the past few years as well.
Wood mulch is also available to residents most of the year for free! During spring and summer months a pile of readily available mulch at Racetrack Park is kept stocked as often as possible. Mulch is also available at the Yard Waste Site on Collins Road seasonally on the days the site is open to the public.
What Type of Tree is in the Terrace?
Have you ever wondered about the tree in front of your home? Or about a tree you noticed at another home? Click here to find out more information.
Trees Are Good
http://treesaregood.org/
TreesAreGood.org provides the public with educational information about the benefits of trees and how to properly care for trees in the urban environment. The site contains resources from the International Society of Arboriculture, and also provides a collection of reliable tree care information provided by other industry organizations.
Find a Local Certified Arborist©
http://treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch.aspx
An arborist by definition is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. ISA Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care.
Arbor Day Foundation
http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.aspx
Emerald Ash Borer Information
http://emeraldashborer.info/
Tree Species Fact Sheets
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/trees/trees_common.shtml
What Tree is Right for My Site?
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/treeselector/
Tree City USA
http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/index.cfm
Wisconsin DNR Urban and Community Forestry Page
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/UrbanForests/