The vision of the City of Watertown’s Urban Forestry Program is to promote and preserve the urban forest and improve the management of public trees. This will ensure canopy continuity, which will reduce stormwater runoff and improve aesthetic value, air quality, and public health.
The Urban Forestry Program involves the annual planting, maintenance and removal of trees along the City streets and among parks. The Urban Forestry Program is administered by the Urban Forestry Coordinator under the City Planning Department. This individual develops the annual tree planting program, applies for and administers grants, oversees tree maintenance and removal, integrates tree planting and other landscaping into proposed City projects, and determines the various species of trees planted within the Downtown Arboretum.
City Planner Michael J. DeMarco serves as the Urban Forestry Coordinator. He can be reached at 315-785-7884 or emailed at mdemarco@watertown-ny.gov
More information about the City’s Urban Forestry Program is available by clicking on the links below.
Tree Planting and Maintenance Program
Every year since 2000, the City of Watertown has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree City USA award recognizes communities across the country that meet certain criteria and have exceptional community forestry programs. In order for a community to become a Tree City USA, it must meet the following four standards established by The National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters:
For additional information on the Tree City USA program, visit the Arbor Day Foundation website at www.arborday.org.
Arbor Day in the City of Watertown is celebrated on the last Friday in April. The City Planning Office and Tree Watertown coordinate an annual celebration marking the event, which includes a tree planting ceremony and speeches by local dignitaries and members of Tree Watertown.
