InterLinc: City of Lincoln: Parks & Recreation


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City of Lincoln
Parks & Recreation - Community Forestry/Horticulture

Planting Tips & Grants

Planting Tips & Grants Planting Grants

Various cost-share programs may be available for planting trees on public property. Contact the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District (NRD) at 402-476-2729 or visit their website at www.lpsnrd.org for information concerning their community forestry program and cost-share assistance. You may also contact the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) at 402-472-2944 or visit their website at www.nfs.unl.edu for details concerning the Nebraska Community Enhancement Program and cost-share assistance to plant trees

Planting

The City of Lincoln has a Master Street Tree Plan (MSTP), which designates what type of trees can be planted as street trees on the city right-of-way.

Approved Street Trees for Lincoln Tree Sizes & Types 270 KB

If you are planning on planting a street tree within the city right-of-way, contact Forestry at (402) 441-7035 to obtain designated street tree information for your street and to obtain a REQUIRED no-fee street tree planting permit.

Recommended Park Trees for Lincoln

If you would like to plant a tree in one of Lincoln's 106 City Parks, Contact Planning & Construction at (402)441-8248 for assistance.

Watering

Watering newly planting trees thoroughly once a week during dry periods.
Trees less than 5 years old need at least 15 gallons of water at a time.
It’s easy to water your trees: Put your hose under the crown of the tree and run water slowly for 1 hour for every 1 inch of trunk diameter.
An inch of moisture each week is what the tree requires. You do not need to water as often when rainfall has been adequate for your tree.
Check the soil moisture an inch below the mulch (addressed below) once a week. If the soil is moist, the tree does not need to be watered.
Avoid over watering newly planted trees, especially in poorly drained soils, since this can kill the young tree.
Water in the early part of the day to avoid evaporation.
Watering of street trees is the responsibility of each property owner.

Mulching

Establish and maintain a 3"-4" layer of shredded bark or wood chip mulch around your trees.
Do not heap the mulch around the tree trunk; keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk of the tree. This will help prevent damage to your tree form excessive moisture and rodent damage.
As your tree grows older, the mulched area should be maintained and expand with the tree.
Mulch is helpful to the tree by holding moisture, reducing weeds, and preventing damage from weed whips and lawn mowers.

Maintenance

Periodically check public trees adjacent to your property to help prevent or correct problems.
Promptly report tree insects, disease, deterioration, damage or other problems to Forestry by calling (402) 441-7035 and an inspection will be made to determine if there is a problem.

Community Forestry & Horticulture