City tree board to participate in Earth Day Fair

Do you have a dead or dying “hazard” tree on your property? Help may be on the way! The City of Rhinelander has announced it is ready to launch its new Urban Forest Recovery Project to replace and revitalize yard trees and urban green spaces.
“Through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the USDA Forest Service, the project supports removal and replacement of dead or dangerous trees on private property and, in turn, plants a healthy tree in its place at no cost to the property owner,” city officials said in a press release. “Moreover, for every tree planted in a yard, another will be planted on public property.”
This service is available only to city of Rhinelander residents, the release notes.
The project is part of a broader initiative by the City of Rhinelander Tree Board, in partnership with the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department (OCLW), to grow a diverse urban forest with a special focus on trees that benefit pollinators. To promote and continue this effort, Rhinelander is taking steps to become recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Workshops will be held in the fall to teach tree care and maintenance, with an emphasis on the importance of pollinator-friendly trees. These workshops are a requirement for private property owners receiving a tree, as long-term maintenance will be their responsibility.

The benefits of trees and forested areas are many. Trees reduce erosion, cut heating and cooling costs, clean the air, produce oxygen, provide habitat for wildlife, supply paper and wood products, and increase property value while adding beauty and serenity to our busy lives.
To learn more about how trees can benefit your home, attend City Forester Tom Jerow’s discussion “Landscaping for Energy Savings” and visit the Tree Board’s table at the Earth Day Sustainability Fair at Nicolet College-Lakeside Center on April 22. City residents can also learn more about the Urban Forest Recovery Project and sign up to have their hazard tree evaluated.
The Earth Day Fair will be held from 3-7 p.m. and amission is free.
For more information about the Urban Forest Project, contact Jerow at 714-401-1578; email: forester@rhinelanderwi.us.
For information on the Earth Day Fair, visit https://northwoodscommunitygarden.com/earth-day-fair/.