Forestry

Our offices have moved

More Information

  • Recreation programs will continue at 201 Market Ave fitness studios through the March/April session
  • Parks, Recreation, Our Community’s Children,  Forestry, and Cemetery offices have relocated to 245 State Street SE
  • This is a temporary location while renovations take place at our new permanent location at 1500 Scribner Ave

The forestry team uses a bucket truck to prune the branches of a large street tree.

Overview

By working with citizens and local agencies, we plan, plant, and maintain Grand Rapids' estimated 62,000 street trees and 20,000 park trees.

What We Do

  • Maintain and enhance the health and value of each tree
  • Remove unfit trees for public safety and health of the urban forest
  • Clear traffic signs, signals, street lights, and visibility obstructions
  • Maintain road clearances
  • Plan, plant, and maintain new trees through a proactive tree planting program
  • Treat over 1,400 ash trees to protect against Emerald Ash Borer
  • Provide 24-hour emergency response services for tree-related emergencies
  • Review plans, advise, and inspect development projects
  • Coordinate tree preservation, maintenance, and removal projects with local companies
  • Respond to forestry-related public questions and concerns
  • Diagnose tree problems and prescribe corrective/risk reduction actions
  • Promote and support tree planting to increase canopy potential through partnerships

Learn More

Want to learn more about the state of our forestry operations? Click below to view an interactive journey map.

View Journey Map

Help Us Prevent Oak Wilt

Help prevent the spread of oak wilt in Grand Rapids by avoiding trimming oak trees between April 15 and July 15. Oak wilt can weaken white oaks and kill red oaks within weeks of infection, so it's important to protect them to maintain a healthy tree canopy in the city.

Learn more at the Michigan DNR website

Street Tree Care 

Beautify your neighborhood and help our urban canopy grow by caring for your street tree! View our guide below.

Caring for your street tree

Free Woodchips

Free woodchips are available to Grand Rapids residents at the City's yard waste drop off site. They're available from the first Monday in April through the second Saturday in December. Pick-up hours are 9:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Tree Tours

Explore the trees in your neighborhood parks! These self-guided tree tours have identification tips and interesting facts about trees you see every day.

In 2017 and 2018, we addressed trees identified as Priority 1 for removal or pruning. Our goal was to increase public safety and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Click below to learn more.

Priority I Forestry Initiative

Stump removal doesn't always happen in the same day as tree removal. Specialized grinding equipment is involved and it's more cost effective to wait and remove many stumps at once.

We wait for an accumulation of stumps to be removed and work with a contracted private company to remove them. This means a stump removal could be delayed by a few months after a tree is removed.

After the stump is ground, the hole is filled with a mix of soil and ground stump chips. This prepares the area for replanting.

The following documents cover the current status of our urban forests as well as future goals in establishing an even more robust urban environment. 

Contact Us

Phone

616-456-3000

Fax

616-456-4561

Location

Parks and Recreation Office
245 State Street SE
Grand Rapids
49503
View Map

Hours

  • Sunday Closed
  • Monday
    • 07:30 AM–04:30 PM
  • Tuesday
    • 07:30 AM–04:30 PM
  • Wednesday
    • 07:30 AM–04:30 PM
  • Thursday
    • 07:30 AM–04:30 PM
  • Friday
    • 07:30 AM–04:30 PM
  • Saturday Closed

Spongy Moth

Have you noticed spongy moth on trees? (Formerly known as "gypsy moth") Click below to learn about our response.

Spongy Moth Info

Plant a tree

Do you want to plant a tree in public space? Click below to get started.

Request a Tree Planting

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