Rosemount Honored for Commitment to Urban Forestry

For the 19th straight year, Rosemount has been designated a Tree City USA for its commitment to urban forestry.

“We commend Rosemount’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, said in a statement.

“Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

The nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation requires cities to meet four standards in order to receive the Tree City USA designation. Communities musthave a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community-forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Lacelle Cordes, Rosemount’s recreation supervisor, said the foundation requires eligible cities to spend at least $2 per resident on trees. Rosemount spends approximately $60,000 a year on its forestry program, she said.

The city will once again distribute free trees to Rosemount residents as part of its Arbor Day celebration.The trees will be distributed beginning at 10 a.m. April 30 in Central Park, located adjacent to the lower-level parking lot at Rosemount City Hall.

“It all depends on the weather,” Cordes said. “There have been years that people have walked away with more than one tree, and there are years we’ve turned people away.”

The city will distribute 180 trees this year, 30 more than in previous years. The trees will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to people who can prove that they are Rosemount residents, with a limit of one tree per resident – unless the weather is uncooperative and the turnout is light.

Four different types of trees – Northwood red maples, red oaks, spring snow crabapples and Redmond lindens – ranging in height from 6 to 8 feet will be distributed.

The tree giveaway will be preceded by a short Arbor Day program hosted by Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste.