City Forester

The Director of Park and Recreation also serves to performs administrative support, lead and technical work in grounds maintenance, care of trees, shrubs and other plant materials on City and Park properties.

Works as the City Forestry to develop and implement goals and objectives for forestry program according to the community needs.

The goal of the Reedsburg Urban Forestry Program is to provide the residents of Reedsburg with all the physical and psychological benefits that are derived from an abundant, healthy and safe urban forest.

Management practices include:

Maximize tree cover on both public & private property
Provide optimum stocking of boulevard areas while staying within budget limitations
Create diversity of species composition
Create diversity in the age structure
Maximize the longevity of individual trees
Minimize tree hazards
Improve the health and safety of the private portion of the urban forest through education, on-site advice, and by example, using only proper arboricultural techniques on public trees.

Programs:

Tree City USA

The City of Reedsburg has been a member of the Tree City USA program since 2013.

Tree City USA is greening communities across the country. This program is a great opportunity to celebrate the importance of an urban tree canopy and improve care of these vital city trees.

Public Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Created in 2014, the Public Tree Inventory and Management Plan is an important planning tool for the City of Reedsburg. Public Tree Inventory and Management Plan

Emerald Ash Borer - 5 Year Implemetation Plan

The emerald ash borer wasn't identified in Reedsburg, but the city created a strategy for the inevitable invasion.

A plan adopted by the Reedsburg Common Council this week cuts a path between two extremes – indiscriminate removal of ash trees and heroic efforts to save as many as possible. Emerald Ash Borer - 5 Year Implementation Plan (EAB)

Popple Trail Invasive Species Removal Report

Area: Webb Park is located in the heart of Reedsburg, it runs along the Baraboo River and has a popular walking trail along the river named the Popple Trail, after a long time High School Science teacher that helped develop the river trail system several decades ago. The park and trail system are bordered by Main Street on the south, the Webb Middle School (former High School) on the north, residential neighborhood to the east and Baraboo River on the west.

Issue: The trail system is used by school groups to interact with nature and identify plant and animal species. The park is located adjacent to the middle school for easy access by student groups. The plant species over the past several decades have changed as Buckthorn has become a predominant species along the trail. Buckthorn is an invasive species that leafs out early and drops leaves late, with dense green foliage that blocks out competing species. The plant has long thorns and forms in dense groves. The black berries of the plant are consumed by birds and spread to other areas. With the Buckthorn taking over the trail system, the area has become less diverse in both plant and animal species.

Solution: The only way to combat invasive Buckthorn is with hand removal and immediate treatment of the stump to stop regrowth. With a mile of trail over a thirty acre area, this creates a large labor intensive project. Another issue is what to do with all the Buckthorn that is cut down, which we decided to use to build Rabbitat in place for the wildlife. Finally, replanting will be necessary to regrow the urban forest.