Tree Advisory Board

What is the Tree Advisory Board?

The Tree Advisory Board was established by the City of Norfolk in November 2009.  The Tree Advisory Board consists of five members appointed by the mayor with the approval of the City Council.  Regular meetings are held monthly with additional special meetings scheduled as needed.  Contact recording secretary, Amy, for further information at 402-379-1440 ext. 137.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to offer input and/or make recommendations for tree planting and landscaping projects within the city of Norfolk.  We want to help educate the public about the benefits of well maintained trees and how to grow trees in our city to provide these benefits. Other functions and important facts about the Tree Advisory Board include:

• We coordinate an Arbor Day tree planting for the city of Norfolk annually
• We volunteer for the Norfolk Clean-Up Day annually
• We participate in the Norfolk Earth Day event annually
• We offer tree pruning demonstrations
• We assist the city of Norfolk in finding and applying for tree planting and landscaping grants
• We serve as advocates for tree planting and maintenance projects
• We attend area events to promote tree planting and landscaping awareness
• We assist the city in applying for Tree City USA status annually

Useful Links

www.arborday.org  -  Arbor Day Foundation's website

www.nearborists.org   -  Nebraska Arborist Association website

http://www.cirrusimage.com/trees!toc.htm   -  Tree Encyclopedia Index website, has a good database of tree info

Tree Considerations   -  Tree facts and guidance for the City of Norfolk

Hardiness Zone Map - Be sure you consider a tree that will survive in our Nebraska climate. Trees are rated for a particular hardiness zone(s) and our area of Nebraska is rated zone 4.  The lower the zone number the more cold hardy a tree is.  Planting a tree rated for a zone 5 is a risk but in some cases can be successful.

2010 Tree Inventory Report - a breakdown of street and park tree species distribution in Norfolk from a tree inventory performed in 2010.

* December 22:  Tree Advisory Board instrumental in securing a Community Forestry Incentive Program grant from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District on a 80/20 (LENRD/City) cost-share tree planting project around the TaHaZouka Park pond.  The tree planting took place in the spring of 2011.

Tree Donation Program  - a tri-fold brochure explaining the Park Division's tree donation program.

Norfolk Tree Advisory Board member Carolyn Lingenfelter shown accepting Tree City USA status in an awards ceremony on April 13, 2011.  Left to right in the picture are Dr. Scott Josiah, NFS state forester and director; Carolyn Lingenfelter, chairperson of Norfolk Tree Advisory Board; Governor Dave Heineman; and Eric Berg, NFS community forestry and sustainable landscapes program leader.

Tree Advisory Board Happenings:
The Norfolk Tree Advisory Board hosted a tree pruning workshop on March 8 at the Norfolk City Council Chambers. Nebraska State Foresters Steve Rasmussen and Pam Bergstrom were presenters at the successful workshop. As long as there is interest in this service the Norfolk Tree Advisory Board will try to do this at least on an annual basis.

There were 16 in attendance. Represented were Norfolk Street Department, Norfolk Parks Department, Norfolk Veterans Home, Norfolk Regional Center, Norfolk Public Schools, and Faith Regional. A hands on demonstration was held at Skyview Park after the informational session.