From Urban and Community Forestry
The Town has announced the tree inventory has been completed. You can now access the public database to determine whether a tree is Private or Town-owned.
In this tree inventory, PlanIT Geo’s ISA Certified Arborists have mapped and evaluated all of the trees within the town’s rights-of-way. Trees in these locations have been identified and assessed for health, condition, location information, and maintenance needs. Of the 17,050 Town trees evaluated, only 64 were considered as “Priority 1 Removals” and the Town tended to those trees immediately, with other maintenance ongoing. This inventory will inform and streamline maintenance of our trees, with other Urban Forestry efforts being the development of a canopy assessment and a Town-wide Urban Forest Management Plan.
Stratford is grateful to its grantors for bringing this effort to fruition:
- CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
Urban and Community Forestry Program Planning Award – $15,000
- Biden-Harris Administration Federal Inflation Reduction Act
U.S. Forest Service, Arbor Day Foundation Award – $173,080
Urban & Community Forestry pertains to the trees you encounter every day – from those in manicured parks to those lining your street and in your backyard. We manage these trees differently than those in a traditional forest, such as our 400+ acre Roosevelt Forest in the northern portion of Town.
Trees within property owned by the Town of Stratford, and trees within certain rights-of-way held by the Town of Stratford, are under care and control of the Stratford Tree Warden. Our Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to make this determination, and our Engineering Division provides detailed ownership clarification when necessary. Note that all state roadways, with exceptions on small portions of Main Street and Barnum Avenue, are managed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Town trees are maintained through both the Conservation and Parks Divisions of our Public Works Department. Stratford has a dedicated full-time Tree Crew, and Connecticut-licensed arborist on-staff.
Stratford residents and businesses may request work on Town trees, including inspection, removal, pruning, stump grinding, and planting. Please call Public Works directly at (203) 385-4006 to make such requests. The Tree Warden performs tree inspections to first determine the need for any action. Thereafter, trees may be pruned or removed, if warranted. As a general rule, healthy trees that do not pose a public safety risk will not be removed. The Town also performs stump grinding and tree plantings.
You may also request to conduct work on Town trees through a free Permit, accessed here. Please complete the form and submit to kkerrigan@townofstratford.com.
Did you know that Stratford is home to two Connecticut state champion trees, and over a dozen other notable trees? The Connecticut Notable Tree Project has catalogued Connecticut’s largest and historical trees since 1985. Check out the link on the right to learn more!
For more information and updates, go to Stratford’s Urban & Community Forestry Initiatives at: www.stratfordct.gov/page/trees
