For the Antigo Times

Our urban forest provides us with numerous benefits and many can directly impact our pocketbooks:

• The shade a tree provides in the warm summer months can reduce the amount of time we run our cooling systems.
• Trees help reduce runoff, prevent pooling and assist with reducing the overall load on our storm sewer systems, thus saving the City many dollars. They can also control hillside and creek erosion.
• The aesthetics of a tree-lined street will be more inviting to new home buyers. A well landscaped yard, with well-maintained trees, can increase your home’s equity.
• Trees in our downtown create a visually appealing atmosphere and promote pedestrian traffic.
• The city and the county are able to harvest their trees and generate revenue for their community. The City of Antigo has used timber sale funds for the Heinzen Peaceful Valley Pavilion.
• Trees provide windbreaks and can also prevent snow from blowing over sidewalks or roads.
• Trees create a wonderful habitat for birds, which feed on insects that can cause damage to our crops.
• Fruit trees can provide a healthy snack for growing children and wildlife.

Choosing your perfect tree to reap the benefits:

There are so many trees to choose from – large beautiful shade trees, small ornamentals and evergreens, to name a few.  In an urban forest, it is important to remember proper tree for proper place even when you are planting on your personal property.

The following website has additional information:  http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A3864.pdf

• Avoid tall growing trees under power lines.
• Remember trees grow, so don’t plant too close to your home or too close to other trees
• Always contact Diggers Hotline before you dig.
  • Anytime you plan on digging you need to contact Diggers Hotline at: 1-800-242-8511, or via e-mail on their website at:  diggershotline.com.  Contacting Diggers Hotline ensures underground utilities are marked, so you don’t puncture or sever an electrical line, gas line, water service or fiber cable that may be running underground.
  • Locates for underground utilities can take a minimum of 3 days to be marked, so make sure you plan accordingly.

Erik Rantala, Administrator, with Langlade County Forestry and Recreation and Sarah Repp, with Antigo Park, Recreation and Cemetery Department collaborated to compile the following educational information for our residents and visitors.

“This document was funded in part by an urban forestry grant from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Program as authorized under s. 23.097, Wis. Stat.”