| Tree Planting Cost Share Program |
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| By Bob the Photog | |
| Tuesday, 12 August 2008 | |
This is the Cost
Share Program where Hutchinson residents can get assistance when purchasing a
tree. Included is the application form, the guidelines for the program & the
preferred tree list for this area.
City of Hutchinson Tree Board
2008 Tree Planting Cost Share Program
Hutchinson’s urban forest has been in a state of decline for many years due to the effects of Dutch Elm Disease, the natural mortality of older trees, reliance on only a few tree varieties, and the environmental impact that man creates in the urban environment.
A key element to reversing this decline is to increase the planting of trees. It is essential to plant the right trees in the right location. By planting varieties of long living trees that are adapted to our area, there is assurance that these trees will be around for coming generations.
To encourage the planting of trees, the City of Hutchinson Tree Board is offering a Tree Cost-Share Program. The following stipulations will apply to the program:
· In accordance with the economic revitalization program for the southern half of the city, new trees planted from 11th street south will be reimbursed at 75% of tree cost up to $75 per tree. Trees planted north of 11th street will be reimbursed at 50% of tree cost up to $50 per tree.
· Tree must be planted within the city limits of Hutchinson
· The planting site and tree variety must be pre-approved by City Forester, Bob Hunter, who can be reached at 694-1900.
· Only trees planted on street right of way are eligible for reimbursement. Street right of way distance varies by area. Please call City Forester (694-1900) for right of way distance from street for your property.
· One tree per residence is eligible for reimbursement unless City Forester approves an additional tree(s).
· The tree must be a species from the recommended list, Preferred Trees for South Central Kansas, (included in packet). All pine trees are unacceptable for this program due to Pine Wilt Disease.
· The tree can be container grown or balled and burlapped.
· The tree must be purchased from a participating Hutchinson garden center.
· Due to limited funding, this program is available on a first-come, first-serve basis until program allocation is gone.
· Program change is effective January 1, 2007.
Be sure to consider the following when making your tree selection:
1. How will the tree fit into the existing landscape design?
2. Is there adequate above ground space available for the tree canopy?
3. Is there adequate below ground space available for tree roots?
4. Are there overhead utility lines present on your property?
5. Regarding the soil at your location; what is the soil pH level, fertility level, and water-holding/drainage capacity?
6. Is there a specific tree form or shape preferred?
7. What color does the tree exhibit in the leaves, flowers, and bark?
8. Does proposed tree have resistance to disease and insects?
9. What is the growth rate and life expectancy of the tree?
10. What type of exposure does your site have (windy, excessive heat, shade, etc.)?
If you would like to participate in this program, please contact the City Forester at 694-1900.
Your tree planting site will be evaluated and mature tree size will be determined from the recommended tree list. You then purchase (retaining proof of purchase and amount) and plant the tree. Once the tree is planted, contact the Forester and the planting will be inspected for approval and cost sharing. Mail a copy of the receipt to: City Forester, 1500 South Plum, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501
If you have any questions about this program or need information on trees, please contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Additional information on trees and tree care may be obtained from:
Extension Horticulture Agent at 662-2371
2 West 10th Avenue, South Hutchinson
Prepared by:
Hutchinson Tree Board
City of Hutchinson Parks Department
K-State Research & Extension – Reno County
Click Below for PDFs of the application and preferred trees list.
Didn't your momma teach you to share? Share us.
Users' Comments (30) |
 08-12-2008 21:42, , Registered  08-14-2008 14:57, , Guest  08-14-2008 15:36, , Registered You have some good points. I don't like taxes anymore than it seems you do. 5 things though: 1. Are you implying there should be zero trees on City Property? If you are then ok, we would be ok with out a City Person/Staff to take care of them, clean up after them and then replace them when need be. There is a lot of trees on City Property right now (just think about Carey Park alone) that we would have to cut down or just completely ignore when the fell down or dropped limbs that prevented mowing. Or should we not be paying people to mow either? 2. The term "bureaucratic thugs" ???? Wow seems harsh when someone is just trying to help folks who want to plant trees get some planted. Don't get me wrong I am most times a huge fan of small Government, but "bureaucratic thugs"??? Seems harsh Oh well, that's your call. 3. Without a City Forestry Staff/Person who takes care of all the complaints and citizen concerns about trees? Just wondering, I know for a fact they deal with tons of them. If a tree was impeding your way of life but it was planted on city property or vacant property or just on someones property that was physically or financially capable of handling it.... who would you call? If you are the guy that would be a good neighbor and take care of it yourself or pay for someone else to take care of someone else's tree, good for you, I can appreciate that, but not everyone can do/afford that. 4. Trees are alot more than just decoration. They help a lot with those same utility bills you speak of. If any given house was completely shaded in trees as opposed to zero, how long do you think it would take for the trees to pay for themselves. I bet it happens pretty quick. Oh the woudl block a little wind in the winter as well huh? I am not much of a Greenie, but trees do filter pollution and produce oxygen as well, kinda important? Oh and the facts are there that the decorating that trees do, brings more people to visit/move to a community, which would help with that depression problem you speak of. 5. Thanks so much for commenting, we, no kidding, appreciate it. Honestly I think the government gets in our pocket a little much as well. But there are definitely some times when we need things and tasks performed at a Government level and they need a little cash to get them done. I am big of the thought of take care of yourself and everyone will get taken care of, but I don't believe it applies across the board. I can't protect my children from Bad Guys all the time. I can't put out a fire at my Mom's house if I am not there. I can't fix potholes in roads that ruin my car. I also believe that we need more tress in this town and some folks either can't afford or just won't do it unless subsidized. So, I like this plan, you don't, that's the joy of America, nobody can stop either of us from feeling that way. 08-14-2008 15:38, , Guest I almost forgot.... Did you see the Civitans flag program we profiled?? That's a cool privately funded way to make things look cool huh? 08-14-2008 15:50, , Registered Dumb butt me... did you see the money for the trees had to be spent in Hutch. Little economy boost huh??? Oh yeah and there is limited funding, so it was allocated for this, but that makes you glad to know that the money wasn't actually ripped out of anyones pockets. Yeah. 08-14-2008 16:23, , Registered Having said that, the value a healthy urban forest brings to a community far exceeds the cost. There are a great deal of benefits of trees. Not just aesthetic but social and even economic. There have been a number of studies showing that communities with a well cared for urban forest do better at attracting visitors and new residents to that community. Economic centers with trees and nice landscaping encourage visitors and local residents to linger and shop longer. As for the Tree Board Cost Share program, those monies are not governmental funds. The Tree Board is a citizen volunteer board that works closely with City of Hutchinson staff to care for our community's trees. The Tree Board was the result of a number of visionary leaders in our community that organized in response to the devastating ice storm in 1985 that damaged an incredible number of trees in town. The board raised funds to replant trees in the community and the current tree cost share funds are a residual of those fundraising efforts more than 20 years ago. There are also a number of current donors that give to the Tree Board's Trees for Tomorrow fund to plant trees throughout the city. You can read more about the Tree Board and it's efforts on the Parks and Recreation page on the City website at www.hutchgov.com/departments/ And just a heads up, there is a current group of community visionaries that a planning some fundraising efforts to replace trees damaged in last year's ice storm. Keep your eyes open for more info to come. 08-14-2008 16:45, , Registered No, Hutchinson is not a "big city" but the core of the city (between Avenue F and 30th, Lorraine and Monroe) is fairly densely developed, with plenty of asphalt and concrete. Healthy vegetation, especially trees go a long way towards minimizing the "heat island" effect and improving air quality. 08-14-2008 17:21, , Guest You should be happy as a pig in mud. Not tax dollars!!!! That is awesome huh?? What we be great is if you were cool about it and came back on here and threw your support behind it, maybe even threw $5 at the program to help keep them from ever asking for tax dollars... Or maybve you could froward this page to all your friends so they could utilize the program and we could get more trees without spending tax dollars. Will you??? Just a thought. 08-14-2008 17:50, , Guest So Nicholaus, all I can tell you is that there isn't a conspiracy to rob all the little old ladies in town so the money can be added to the coffers of the rich and powerful tree farm owners, it is just a plan to give folks a little help to improve their own lot in life if they choose to participate. Your choice of words in your response "beurocratic thugs" and "global depression" is nothing more than you showing your ignorance on several levels, and spelling incorrectly is the least of your transgressions. Live long and prosper. 08-14-2008 17:53, , Registered To top it off, in this case, taxes aren't even involved. It's far too common that people just jump to that conclusion and go around spreading venom without having the facts. Thank you, Pam, for putting forth the actual facts. And I apologize to Mr. Wolenhaupt because it seems this is directed at you and it's not - it's a generalization. Unfortunately, I don't disagree with you that our economy is in trouble. I just disagree about how to fix it. This hatred of taxes is a uniquely American perspective, and it's not healthy. It's funny to me how people can be so adamant about not wanting anything to do with "government" until they NEED government - then there's a completely new tune. When there's a disaster they want FEMA and the National Guard, when they want to go to see a child at college they want good roads - and I won't even mention that maybe that's a state college, the second they're old enough they want medicare, we want public spaces and facilities, and we all want an educated populace so we need schools. Well, guess what, you don't get it both ways. All of those things cost money and part of living in a "community" is sharing those costs. I'm happy - and I mean happy - to pay my taxes that support things for the common good. I vote yes on school bond issues even though I don't have children, and am not planning to have children, because educating children is good for everyone. And for the record I am not "rich." I would be considered lower-middle class if you're looking for a classification. I hope I never have to go through what residents of Greensburg have been through in the last few months, or what New Orleans residents are still going through years later. Part of living in a society is sharing those burdens. My share of that being a little tax money is #*$&@!* cheap compared to what their share has been. I don't want to live in a city without trees. It doesn't happen by accident. I don't want to live in a city without a good library, good roads, public gathering places, parks, schools, traffic lights, water service, and dozens of other services we tend to take for granted. They all cost to manage and maintain. Frankly, I want MORE from my government, not less. And I'm willing to pay my fair share of it. Interestingly enough, when you look at countries where people are the happiest, they are places where they're paying more taxes than we are in the US. Why are they happy? Because they're far less worried about basic human needs than we are. I realize this is a hugely unpopular opinion in this community, although you might be surprised at how many people share it. Unlike me, they're just smart enough to not state it publicly. But it's there, nonetheless. And, for the record, we are NOT the "unwilled masses." Everyone has an opportunity to participate in city, state and national policy decisions through voting. In the election we just held I think the percentage of voters was about 15% - and I think that just refers to registered voters and not the population at large. If you're not participating, it's still your responsibility - you voted for the winner, whoever that was. So when things go "wrong," it's your fault - you could have made a difference and chose not to. I did my part and it wasn't enough. If you'd done your part maybe we'd have a different outcome. We have a process in this country that everyone can participate in - regardless of income, education, race or social standing. OK... I've been far too verbose. I'm going to be quiet for a little bit now. |
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