The Forestry Section is responsible for planting and maintenance of city trees. Trees growing on city street rights of way or on other city properties are owned by the City of Manhattan and thus controlled by city ordinance. This ordinance regulates the planting, pruning, and removal of city trees. These activities require the issuance of a permit through the forestry supervisor.
Tree City USA
The forestry section also consults with all other city departments whenever trees and/or vegetation is an issue. For the past 29 years, the City of Manhattan's Urban Forestry Program has earned the "Tree City USA" designation. This is an award given by the National Arbor Day Foundation to cities that demonstrate a serious commitment to urban forestry. In the past ten years, the City of Manhattan has earned two "Tree City USA Growth Awards" for improvements made to the Urban Forestry Program.