Department of Natural Resources Forestry Program: Tree Removal and Uses
The City of Antigo values its urban forest and each year plants new trees within the community to replace ones that have been removed. Stumps are removed by the City of Antigo Streets/Public Works Department.
Staggered planting years creates a diverse urban canopy in terms of age, which is beneficial in terms of maintenance and replanting. If there is disease or infestation (such as Dutch Elm or Emerald Ash Borer) the city is not put in a position to replace or remove large numbers of trees at one time. This is also an aesthetic benefit as well.
When the city does need to remove a tree there are a number of options for the wood.
- Firewood: City residents can complete a waiver and hold harmless agreement, which makes them eligible to receive wood from trees removed within city limits (contact the Park, Recreation and Cemetery Department for more details: 623.3633 extension-131 or [email protected])
- The adjacent property owner to the removed boulevard/terrace tree or tree in city owned right-of-way will have the option to keep the wood from the tree which is being removed. The wood will not come in firewood lengths or sizes, so the property owner needs to be prepared to manage the load of wood that remains. Any wood left in the boulevard needs to be removed within 24 hours.
- If the property owner does not wish to keep the wood the next person on the “wood list” will be contacted to see if they are available and would like the wood.
- Mulch: Smaller diameter branches are chipped and the chips are used on rough trails in the Northern Natural Area located off the paved Springbrook Trail. Additionally, the woodchips are used around newly planted trees that the city plants. These woodchips cannot be used in our playgrounds, but are great for landscaping projects.
- Coniferous or Evergreen Trees: Each year following Christmas the Antigo Area Optimists host an annual tree burn. There has been a decline in the number of trees collection, and this may be due to the fact that more families are purchasing artificial trees. There are also other important uses for the trees. The DNR has used a number of the trees for different stream projects with the blessing of the Optimists.
- Projects: Sometimes trees take on a new extended life in the form of furniture, wood projects, building material, and other creative uses. The City of Antigo was fortunate to work with Tree Solutions, the School District, Innovative Industries, and Park, Recreation and Cemetery Department Staff to construct a sign for the new Heinzen Peaceful Valley Pavilion. The lumber was from trees which were removed from our community. The letters were cut by the High School Tech Ed Department. The finish paint and metal work was completed by Innovative Industries. The Park, Recreation and Cemetery Department put the signs together and stained the wood.
There are more uses for trees once they are removed than just the above, including compost. There are a number of initiatives communities have started, so their urban wood is utilized for a variety of purposes. One success story is in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The following website shows how they make it work: http://urbanwood.org/about/details/recycle-ann-arbor/