Maintenance
The trees located in the parkway are owned by the Town. However, property owners are expected to water and maintain the trees, including trimming and removal of dead branches.
The Town will remove any parkway tree that creates a hazardous situation and will also remove any dangerous limbs. Tree removals are not based on % dieback, except in the case of EAB trees where dieback of over 25% of the canopy will be fatal to the trees soon. Other trees with canopies that are 50% dead should be looked at for either possible trimming or removal.
Removals are based on assessing the risk of failure and damage it will cause to a target, such as cars on the street, houses, pedestrians, etc. A tree may have little or no canopy dieback but the trunk may be hollow causing tree failure. In other words, a completely green tree can fail if tree structure is bad. Trees can also fail if the root system is compromised and reduced or decayed. The Town’s Urban Forester is consulted as needed by Public Works on decisions of tree removal which might involve a tree risk assessment to rate vigor of the canopy (green and growing), form (structure of trunk and branching), nature of the defect, size of the hazardous limb and potential target if tree or limb falls.
All other tree problems in the parkway or on a resident’s property are a private matter and residents will need to contact a private tree service or do their own maintenance.
Planting Trees in Parkway
The Town has a list of acceptable trees and a 50/50 Tree Program for trees planted in the parkway in front of your home. For more information or an application, call the Public Works Department at 836-6970, or stop by the Public Works Office for a brochure/application on the program.
Storm Damage
If tree damage blocks a street, contact the Public Works Department at 836-6970. If a power line is knocked down by a tree or has a limb overhanging it: call the NIPSCO emergency storm damage number at 800-464-7726. Please keep a safe distance from the downed utility lines; assume that any downed line is energized and dangerous.
Leaf pickup
Brush pickup