South Milwaukee Adopt-A-Tree Program Returns

Excited to see this program continue! We have a long way to go in replacing and enhancing our urban forest — but efforts like this are a great start.

From the city website …

The City of South Milwaukee is pleased to offer its Adopt-A-Tree program for 2024.    The Adopt-A-Tree program will help improve neighborhoods by replacing some of the many trees lost to the emerald ash borer, other diseases, storm damage and age.  The Common Council has agreed to fund this program for a fifth year with 25 trees available to residentially zoned owner occupied properties.  Trees will be planted at approved planting sites based on our tree inventory, and suitability.

For this year’s program, we will be focusing on planting new trees at addresses where trees have been removed and stumps ground. Trees will have between a 1.5” and 2” trunk diameter and be between 8-12 feet tall.  These are street trees and must be placed between the curb and sidewalk or within 4 feet of the curb where there is no sidewalk.  The cost of each installed tree plus the items listed below is estimated to be $450-$600 depending on the size, species and bid prices.  However, much of this cost will be funded by the City of South Milwaukee through the Adopt-a-Tree Program.

A certified arborist will review each planting site and pick the best tree for your site based on terrace width, other trees on the property and street, overhead wires utility placement and previous trees. Diversity of tree species is one of the goals of the City as we move forward to help improve neighborhoods in South Milwaukee and plan for the future growth of the urban forest.